THE Conference 2009 Cancelled

The slowdown in the construction market has forced the cancellation of THE Conference for all builders merchants and building material suppliers for 2009.

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THE Conference 2008

Nearly 450 delegates, nine speakers, and a venue with no less than eight swimming pools – those are the bare facts behind THE Conference 2008 at the Gran Hotel Bahia del Duque Resort in Tenerife.

Organised jointly by the BMF, NMBS, Unimer and Builders Merchants Journal, this year’s event once again attracted massive support from the industry with a total of 64 sponsors: 33 at Premier Plus level and 31 Premier sponsors.

Guest compere Nick Hancock got the audience laughing from the off, and kept it up at intervals throughout the conference.

London Evening Standard city editor Anthony Hilton once again delivered an authoritative overview of global economic trends – of necessity, a somewhat downbeat session; futurologist Stuart Smith of Wood Holmes Group machine-gunned the delegates with facts and figures concerning the future of the housing market; and David Moody investigated the potential of the emerging ‘pod’ building market for merchants. Threat or opportunity – it’s what you make of it, he seemed to be saying.

Delegates paid close attention as a merchant (Simon Blaxill of Kent Blaxill) and a supplier (Paul Heatherington of Alumasc Interiors) faced each other across the stage and explored ways in which the two sides of the industry can work more closely together for their mutual benefit.

Meet the Merchant, the conference’s ‘speed-dating’ feature, was again a huge success, with nearly every meeting slot pre-booked. And the Saturday morning seminars addressed some of the real issues in the market right now: credit control, zero-carbon housing, and the emerging market for online merchanting.

A cheer went up when it was announced at the gala dinner that the merchants leveled the score this year in the annual merchants v suppliers challenge. BMJ publisher Colin Petty presented the Buttle Cup to Paul Bence, representing the merchant side of the business.

Delegates were enthusiastic: "A really excellent event – the most important and rewarding Conference so far," said Parker Building Supplies financial director Stewart Pierce.