bpma Annual Conference – Shock Survey Results Highlight of a Packed Day

The second bpma Annual Conference, “Future Proof Your Business” was held at the Park Inn Heathrow on the 9th of July to much acclaim.

More than 220 delegates, experts and speakers defied strikes and traffic chaos to attend with many staying on for the bpma Annual Business Awards Dinner the same evening.

The proceedings were opened by Chairman of the bpma Matt Franks who called for support of an independent association that could prioritise its core values and help grow and expand the industry and the use of promotional merchandise as part of the general marketing mix.

Facts International released the findings of a bpma commissioned survey that revealed amongst other things the results of their distributor mystery shopper survey which caused a stir amongst those present. Highlights of the study revealed that many distributors need to more proactively engage with customers, question them, understand them and take the time to offer alternatives. There is a gap between the want and need for creativity from marketers and the response from distributors. The survey found that 72% of marketers have been unhappy with promotional merchandise they had purchased and with their providers.

Delegates who attended had the chance to book one to one sessions with a selection of experts who were there to offer valuable advice on a multitude of industry fields including PR to pensions and legislation to product safety.

With 12 seminars being offered during the morning to delegates, many sessions were oversubscribed with slots on SEO, LinkedIn and Vistaprint being standing room only.

Nigel Bailey, Event Director for bpma commented “This has been a fantastic day for the industry and the comments and appreciation we have received about the depth and quality of the event we have delivered has been amazing. We will be running a similar event in 2016, although we will be looking as always to improve the offering in every way that we can. My special thanks go out to the delegates, speakers and experts many of whom faced difficult journeys to be at the conference, and also to team bpma for pulling together and creating such a great event.”

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