Following the success of the webinar series, the BPMA has announced its plan to activate a virtual conference for members, and together with Sourcing City some changes have been made for Merchandise World this year.
BPMA Conference 2020
The BPMA conference will now take place in September via a fully interactive virtual platform. Open only to BPMA members, the conference will bring together world class speakers, inspiring content to support suppliers and distributors plus bring opportunities to network. In addition, BPMA supplier members will have the opportunity to exhibit and present new products. The conference timing represents an essential platform for BPMA members to rebuild business in September as end users continue the route to economic recovery.
More information will be released in the coming weeks to BPMA members.
Merchandise World Virtual and January 2021
During the pandemic, supporting the industry has been paramount to the BPMA in order to ensure business is able to not only survive but thrive when recovery shoots present themselves. Following discussions between the BPMA and Sourcing City, together with the changing situation in the UK, it has been decided that the focus of Merchandise World will now be January 2021 rather than September. This will enable Merchandise World to kick off the start of 2021 with positive engagement across the trade.
Putting the industry and its businesses first, focussed efforts in January 2021 will deliver an exceptional Merchandise World that brings the brightest and best together.
BPMA Chair Angela Wagstaff comments ‘Virtual events have been in discussion and planning since the start of the crisis. We are now ready to activate our conference in September. Working closely and in co-operation with the Sourcing City team, we were able to agree a way forward that worked for Merchandise World and afforded a new opportunity for BPMA members in September. The BPMA executive team have been working behind the scenes to move the planned event in June to the larger event in September. Announcements will be made shortly regarding tickets for the event and the opportunity for BPMA members to come together.’
David Long, CEO Sourcing City said ‘As distributors return to work their key focus is naturally to rebuild their business. The BPMA conference will be focused on doing much to help this, and suppliers will be able to present new products. To expect people to take time for Merchandise World in the same month is not really practical. We all feel it is best to focus all of our efforts this year on building the biggest and best Merchandise World in January 2021.’
Sourcing City have noted that all September 2020 exhibitors will be contacted in due course to update and advise. Plans for Merchandise World at The Ricoh in January 2021 are continuing as normal. The floorplan is currently being redrawn to ensure every aisle is at least 3 metres wide and every aspect of visitor safety will be planned in line with Government advice and guidelines. Milton Keynes remains the planned destination for Merchandise World in September 2021.
Published on: June 3rd, 2020
