BPMA offers diverse activities at incentive show

The British Promotional Merchandise Association (BPMA) will lead a number of initiatives and activities at the 2007 National Incentive Show (NIS) 2007.

The BPMA Hot Product Zone is the Association's first ever showcase of the industry's latest, most innovative and market-leading products which will be featured on the BPMA stand.

Twenty-one products qualifying for this showcase are those which have been submitted from across the broad range of companies comprising the association's 650 members.

Gordon Glenister, director general of the BPMA commented: "Innovative products are the lifeblood of our industry and what everyone wants to see - new ideas.

"This showcase will be a key factor in demonstrating the success merchandise has to any marketing campaign".

A sample of the 21 products which have been chosen for the BPMA Hot Product Zone will be showcased on the BPMA website, to give the industry a preview of merchandise they can expect to see at NIS.

The last minute of the National Incentive Show will be the final opportunity for industry to submit entries for the 2007 Entrepreneur of the Industry Award.

This initiative, now in its second year, is a nationwide search for the most dynamic individual from the below the industry.

Open to any individual, the judges will be looking for: * Entrepreneurial flair - commitment to quality, risks taken, marketplace research and development etc.

* Personal integrity - values and personal style.

* Development of people and delegation.

* Financial performance - profitability and long-term sustainability.

* Strategic direction - version, going for growth, measuring progress.

* Impact - market share expansion.

Judges confirmed for the initiative include Michelle Dewberry, winner of The Apprentice in 2006 and founder of Michelle Dewberry Limited; Danny Bamping, winner of the 2006 Entrepreneur of the Industry Award and MD of Bedlam Puzzles; Brian Binley, Conservative MP for Northampton South and member of the DTI Select Committee and Chair of the Conservative Enterprise Group; Alistair Frost, Microsoft UK's consumer marketing communications lead; Colin Lloyd, promotional marketing entrepreneur and past president of the Institute of Sales Promotion (ISP), and Grant Morgan, MD of the Louis Kennedy Partnership, a leading promotional merchandise supplier.

The judging panel will be chaired by British Promotional Merchandise Association (BPMA) chairman, and executive director of PandMM, David Lebond.

Gordon Glenister, director general of the BPMA, will present a keynote seminar titled: "21 great new ideas to promote your business".

Marketing isn't always about laying out large sums of money for campaigns which produce mediocre results.

What is the right product to be successful and how can it impact on the brand and campaign with impact? What are the right products and services which attract new customers, drive sales and reward employees? Glenister will highlight some of the most innovative ideas in the industry today as well as old favourites in a new and creative way.

The seminar will take place from 1:30-2.30 across all three days of NIS at the BPMA seminar Theatre 1.

The annual BPMA Awards, presented at the Christmas lunch each year recognising excellence across various criteria in the industry, will launch a new category at the National Incentive Show: Employer of the Year.

Employees across the promotional merchandise industry will be able to nominate their employers for this prestigious accolade.

This new award is being introduced to recognise remarkable leadership in an industry comprising creative and innovative business people.

Delegates and members exhibiting at the show are encouraged to make their nominations early by filling out a form available on the BPMA stand.

BPMA 10-year membership photocall.

The BPMA is proud to reveal it has more than 200 member companies who have been members for over 10 years.

In acknowledgement of this loyalty, a "10th anniversary" photocall will be held on the BPMA stand.

An official ceremony recognising this remarkable achievement of how more than 200 companies have upheld the highest industry standards for 10 years or more will take place at the BPMA Christmas lunch in December 2007.

The 2007 BPMA AGM will take place on Wednesday 26 September at the BPMA Seminar Theatre an hour before the opening of NIS.

All members and the media are invited.

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