The 2016 bpma student design competition concluded with an exhilarating pitch to industry experts at the Museum of Brands in London on the 10 June.

A number of universities took part to find the next best promotional product, with Nottingham Trent scooping all three top prizes. Student James Plimmer won top prize with his Switch dual function camping light that could be used as either a lantern or torch by changing its orientation. While not in use the watertight container can be used for the storage of small items.

The two end user partner events proved a big hit with members and visitors alike. The bpma merchandise message was also very visible.

Marketing Week Live exhibition held at Olympia, London in April attracted almost 6,000 visitors and many bpma members exhibited, some for the first time.

The PAGE group launched its 2016 catalogue to members before its 2016 conference and awards dinner where it celebrated its distributors. Held at Brandon Hall Hotel & Spa in Coventry on 2 June 2016, the conference was followed by a table top exhibition where 33 suppliers showed the products that had been selected for the new catalogue. The awards dinner was attended by 150 dinner guests including the top UK business gift suppliers and distributors.

Now in its 4th year, Promotional Products Week (PPW) will be partnering with Pancreatic Cancer. This year it takes on a new twist as the bpma education day, the new bpma show and the new look bpma awards will be a part of the week too.

bpma director general, Gordon Glenister was banging the drum in the event industry advocating the use of promotional products at exhibitions.

The exhibition masterclass run by the Association of Event Organisers (AEO) was held at Excel in front of more than 400 event managers. Other speakers including renowned social media guru Warren Knight and ex-Dragons’ Den star Rachel Elnaugh.

The new, and much awaited, bpma show at Silverstone on 14 September will allow member distributors to bring their top end user customers. 

Following feedback from a number of suppliers and distributors, the bpma has decided to allow end users to the show on the understanding they are guests of the distributor and therefore accompanied.

A great line-up of speakers is set to spark debate at the bpma Conference in May. Now in its third year, the conference has established itself as an essential forum for promotional professionals to be inspired to improve their performance and achieve business growth.

Bringing a broad range of experience and inspiration to delegates, the speakers include:

Gordon Glenister spoke to PSI Manager director Michael Freter at the high profile show

As Europe’s largest promotional products industry show, PSI 2016 in January saw an increase of 8% in visitors, and an increase in overseas visitors to the Düsseldorf event of 55%, the best result for over six years.

Show owner Reed Exhibitions recorded 932 exhibitors and 16,810 visitors. There were a number of initiatives at the show, some of which were brand new, and some of which extended previous successes.

The bpma will be hosting an exhibition stand at the new B2B Marketing Expo.

Taking place on May 11 and 12 at ExCel, the high-profile event is expected to attract more than 6,000 B2B marketing professionals. 

The bpma’s Gordon Glenister will be speaking at the event alongside other leading experts, including the head of UK B2B marketing at Google, the CEO of Saatchi Masius – part of the Saatchi & Saatchi network – and the head of Digital Strategy from Salesforce.

Congratulations to the winners of the PPD awards, which were held at the end of January at the Ricoh Arena Coventry.

• Supplier of the year 2016: BTC Activewear
• Distributor of the year 2016: Dowlis Corporate Solutions
• Industry Unsung Hero: Steve Samuels. Steve was overwhelmingly voted the winner for his work to raise money for The Cystic Fibrosis Trust.
• Best place to work: LSi

2016 marks the fifth year of the partnership between the bpma and leading industry event Marketing Week Live. 

The bpma will have a stand at the show, as well as delivering a presentation on the Brand Engagement & Innovation stage, which will be essential for any marketer who wants to understand the power of merchandise to better engage with prospects.

The return of the traditional bpma Golf Day was welcomed by members despite the challenge thrown down by the weather.

Back in the bpma schedule after a gap of a few years, the event was held at the prestigious Grove resort near Watford, famous for hosting G8 meetings and X Factor auditions as well as championship golf.

The weather on October 21 was atrocious for the start of the tournament, although it did clear up later in the morning. The event was organised by TKG Europe and supported by Crystal Galleries and Titleist, and was well received by the members and guests who competed.

The bpma Christmas lunch brought 2015 to a close in fine festive style. More than 140 guests attended the event, held for the first time at the Cumberland Hotel at Marble Arch in London, on December 11. The new venue went down a storm, with a number of members even deciding to make a weekend of it by staying over.

Chairman Matt Franks opened the proceedings by sharing some of the highlights of 2015 but also looking forward to some of the Association’s plans for 2016. Guests were entertained royally by Paul Sinha, who most would know as one of the celebrities from the TVs quiz show The Chase. Paul is however a renowned and highly acclaimed comedian and had much of the room in stitches. 

Stands for the bpma show are going quickly, with over 65 trade suppliers already exhibiting. Leading brands like SPS, Senator, Brunel. Liquid Lens, Crystal Galleries, The Carole Group, Impression Europe and many others will be providing an excellent opportunity for members to engage in what is truly one of the best venues in central England – Silverstone. 

Leading distributors have welcomed the show including Chris Lee, CEO, Brand Addition, who says: “We are delighted that the bpma will be representing our industry by hosting their own show from 2016. The location is ideal for us, allowing all of our people in London and Manchester to attend the whole day.” 

Nearly six hundred exhibitors from across Europe have confirmed their participation in RemaDays 2016.  Opening on February 16 in Warsaw, this is the 12th year of the Fair for Advertising and Printing.

One of the largest exhibitions in the industry in the world, RemaDays is changing its image this year. Featuring spacious, modern and comfortable halls with a total area of 35,000 sq m, the event will play its part in Warsaw EXPO being attended by a record number of visitors this year.

Falcon Promotions, based in Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk, held another successful exhibition – it’s first since it was acquired by Fluid Branding this year.

The Business & Advertising Gifts Show was held at the Rowley Mile at Newmarket Racecourse, offering guests a chance to meet around 36 suppliers and take a close look at the business and advertising gifts they offer. Alongside a free goody bag, there was a chance to win an iPad Mini.

The industry came together to mark the association’s half-century milestone.

More than 100 party-goers celebrated as the bpma marked its 50th anniversary with a river cruise down the Thames.

The bpma was founded 50 years ago by Samuel Raymond “Nobby” Clarke from Prestige Group after a visit to Chicago where he attended the National Premium Sales Executives show and came away inspired to set up a similar association in the UK.

Members of the bpma ran activities across the country to support this year’s campaign.

The industry got behind the third Promotional Products Week (PPW) in September to raise the profile of promotional products and encourage their use within the marketing mix.  Activities throughout the week engendered many thousands of media impressions as member companies swung into action.

It saw the release of new research from the bpma into marketers’ attitudes to branded merchandise, which revealed the pen was still respondents’ favourite promotional item. See page 37 for more on this research.

Join the bpma at one of the highlights of the promotional year: the bpma Christmas Lunch on December 11.

Members and guests are invited to celebrate with us in London’s West End with good entertainment, great company, and excellent food.  And perhaps stay over for some Christmas shopping or take in a show or a spa package!

There is a new venue this year: the luxury Cumberland Hotel (pictured) at Marble Arch. It opens with the drinks reception at 12.30pm, with lunch at 1pm. Dress code is lounge suits and money will be raised in aid of Pancreatic Cancer UK.

The Independent Print Industries Association (IPIA) has revealed it is to use its significant presence in the inaugural edition of The Print Show to help its members from across the UK gain valuable exposure.

Taking place at Birmingham NEC from October 13 to 15, The Print Show will give printing companies the chance to view some of the latest technology on offer. They will gain access to a plethora of useful information that could help them expand their business into new markets.