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Exhibition Goes from Strength to Strength |
A new record of 458 members attended the NMBS Exhibition
A new record of 458 members attended the NMBS Exhibition on 14th May 2008, as the flagship one day show for independent merchants continued to go from strength to strength.
This year’s show was once again packed with top suppliers offering great deals and rebate incentives to encourage business on the day, and NMBS members turned out in force to take full advantage!
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There were several highlights on a glorious sunny day, not least the appearance of heavyweight boxing legend, Frank Bruno, who spent the afternoon on the Makita stand autographing photos and collectors items, as well as helping to promote the Drop Dead Batteries recycling campaign.
Mr Bruno also attended the evening Gala Dinner and spoke after the meal along with BBC sports presenter, Gary Richardson.
The presence of Frank Bruno, along with other key offers and initiatives, seemed to do the trick as Makita enjoyed phenomenal results from this years show, with business on the day up 86% against 2007.
National Sales Manager, Ian Knowles commented, “We are absolutely delighted with the results we have achieved this year and appreciate the continuing support of NMBS members. We are already looking at how we might improve again at the 2009 Exhibition”.
Several other suppliers enjoyed a hugely successful day, including Everbuild, Spear & Jackson, Hunter Plastics and Hanson Brick, who all saw significant increases on last year’s orders.
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The best stand award went to Bostik this year in recognition of their creative use of their allocated space. Lynn Sencicle of Builders’ Merchants News handed the certificate and a bottle of bubbly to the Bostik Team (pictured).
There was plenty going on in the halls to make the day thoroughly enjoyable, but for anyone who was suffering
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from any tension, there was the chance to have a professional massage on the Stressline stand (pictured) then stop off at SIG Roofing for some beer and nachos to help them relax.
Key NMBS initiatives were located in the foyer, so that members and suppliers could learn about the Professional Points loyalty reward program provided by Smart Trade and the NMBS Business Briefcase, which is a low cost HR, personnel & training solution.
Stand 999 in the foyer invited members and suppliers to take the ‘e-xam’ to gauge whether they were maximising the cost savings offered by the Report Centre and the e-commerce options available through NMBS and their e-trading partner, Freeway Commerce.
Prizes were at stake on Stand 999, and three lucky members won the following on the online fruit machine:
- Nintendo Wii (supplied by Freeway Commerce) Jonathon Townsend, Alfred Dunham & Son
- Ipod Touch (engraved and supplied by Makita) Glynis Catterson, Simpson & Allinson
- Champagne (supplied by NMBS) Richard Liddle, CRS Building Supplies Ltd
Spot Buy & Pallet Alley was again located in the foyer, featuring many official merchandise stands from suppliers to help members browse through the products on offer. Early indications are that it has been another great year for this initiative and the suppliers who took part.
Over £3,500 was raised for the industry charity, the Rainy Day trust, with the ‘Need for Speed’ F1 simulator challenge and the Exhibition Express newspaper making valuable contributions alongside the money raised through the raffle at the evening Gala Dinner. First prize was a pair of Everlast boxing gloves signed by Frank Bruno and a digital camera provided by Makita, presented to Jim Parlato of Browns Builders Merchants.
NMBS Events Manager, Sam Hunt, was pleased with another great event and said “The NMBS Exhibition really is the only show for independent merchants in the building & construction sector. We already have 125 suppliers registered for next year, so the 2009 Exhibition in Telford on Wednesday 13th May should definitely not be missed”.
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NMBS
