Arena. “These really are the industry awards that mean something because your fellow industry peers have voted for you or external judges in the marketing community rate you and your work. Winning an award this way is one you and your staff can be proud of.” There are two types of award categories, awards that members are automatically entered into by the BPMA with members voting, and entry-based awards with an external panel of judges voting. “Repeat winners see the value in winning an industry award and enter each year, they put a lot of thought and planning into their entries and the standard of entries grows each year. We would love more members to enter the awards this year,” comments Daniela.

The BPMA held its Member Orientation seminar on 27 September, where 19 individuals from member companies attended. It was the first seminar to be presented by BPMA’s membership manager, George Turnbull (pictured right) who delivered an engaging afternoon that informed and educated members. He said: “The seminar gives our members an insight of what to expect from the industry while gaining tips on how to make the most out of their business and what pitfalls to watch out for.

As we enter the last quarter of the calendar year, and for some the financial year, we should take time to review the last 12 months and identify those who have made a significant difference to our business. Who are our stand out, loyal and valuable customers? Which members of our team, across the business, have made outstanding contributions?

The past few years have seen a growth in interest around the issues relating to plastic. The ‘Blue Planet’ effect has seen a growing awareness of the implications of using plastic, particularly single-use plastics. In the merchandise industry, this has manifest itself in clients asking questions about the sustainability of many products and their packaging as they seek to minimise their use of plastic and increase recycling.

Ignite group returned to Warwick Racecourse for its tenth year last month when around 100 supplier and distributor members attended the morning exhibition.

Suzie Kean from Geiger BTC was the first winner of a new weekly prize draw for Promo Trade customers. Kean won an experience day, dinner and an overnight stay for two after being selected randomly. Every week Promo Trade has a prize draw to win a different experience, such as a supercar driving day, a spa day, tickets to Oktoberfest, or a Michelin star meal for two.

The BPMA is pleased to announce that it will be overseeing all entries to the Merchandise World Promotional Product Awards 2019. The Merchandise World Promotional Product Awards provide exhibitors with and promotional opportunities for the latest and most exciting products. New for 2019, all BPMA members can enter their first product into an award category free of charge. Additional products will be charged at £50+vat. For non-BPMA members to enter, the first entry will be £150+vat with additional product entries at £50+vat.

Goldstar, the pens specialist, has appointed two highly experienced senior promotional products sector professionals to newly created positions as it invests further in expansion to continue its business growth.

Diane Anderton has joined Goldstar to support New Product Development & Marketing and Annouchka Birch has taken up the new position of Field Sales Manager UK.

Diane brings 24 years industry experience including 14 years on the distributor side and the last ten years in the trade as Sales & Marketing Director with SPS.

Irish-based Gift Innovations has expanded its business with new facilities in Limerick City to meet a growing demand for corporate promotional products. The company has invested to provide showrooms and to facilitate its growing storage and fulfilment requirements for clients. Gift Innovations works with some of the largest multinationals in Ireland as well as local SMEs, delivering gift solutions to recognise, reward and retain employees and customers.

Five leading trade manufacturers of promotional products have formed the Trade Manufacturer’s Alliance (TMA) to increase awareness and knowledge of the range of British manufactured products. Formed in July, the TMA includes WCM&A, First Editions, Great Central Plastics, Ancestors of Dover, and Foremost Magnets.

Morpeth company Pro-Ad has expanded its award-winning promotional merchandising team by welcoming three new members of staff.

Ashleigh Tate and Paul Tighe have joined Pro-Ad’s Solutions Team and Lauren McKenna has a new role in the Productions Team.

Talking about the new appointments, Pro-Ad director Loren Nardini said: “Following our success at the Institute of Professional Marketing (IPM) awards over the last few years we want to keep building our excellent reputation for quality, creativity and customer service. Ashleigh, Paul and Lauren bring a diverse range of skills and experiences that will help us do this. We are delighted to welcome them to the Pro-Ad family”.

Morpeth company Pro-Ad has won a silver award for promotional merchandise campaign of the year at the prestigious 2018 Institute of Promotional Marketing (IPM) ‘COGS’ Awards.

The award follows on from Pro-Ad’s success in the 2017 awards, in which the promotional merchandising solutions provider took home both gold and silver accolades.

COGS awards highlight the significant impact and business contributions made by companies like Pro-Ad, which specialises in providing merchandise and marketing support for all types of promotional campaigns.

Hot off the heels of the very successful East of England Merchandise Show, Fluid Branding hosted their annual supplier awards at All Saints Hotel and Spa in Bury St Edmunds on the evening of 25th September 2018.  

The guests were greeted with welcome drinks, a two-piece live band and a magician!

An Indian themed buffet was then served ahead of the awards ceremony.  

Fluid Branding hosted their annual East of England Merchandise Show on Tuesday 25th September 2018 at the famous Newmarket Racecourses. The weather couldn’t have been better with wall to wall sunshine! With over 50 suppliers in attendance on the day, the event was the busiest to date, with a record number of clients.