The Giftware Association (GA) held it’s annual members’ day and general meeting on Wednesday May 11 at its Federation House premises in Birmingham.
GA chief executive Isabel welcomed a packed house of delegates from the wider gift industry and chairman Michael Sweeney presented his report of the Association’s activities throughout 2010.
Mr Sweeney reported that 170 new members joined the GA during the year and said the Association was delighted to have welcomed Emap Connect as host of the GA’s annual awards during Spring Fair International 2011. The 2012 competition will be opened for entries during Autumn Fair International 2011, which will run from September 4 – 7 at The NEC Birmingham.
Mr Sweeney was also proud to report that he and Isabel Martinson raised over £14,000 for the Help for Heroes charity during their fund-raising bike ride across Belgium and Holland.
Following the resignation from the GA National Committee of Mike Ganley, who is moving onto another industry, Mike Sartain of Hale Events and Gert Schyberg of Sebini have been appointed to take his place.
David Simmons then took the podium to announce the recipient of the Elkin Simmons award that outstanding contributions to the giftware industry. The award was presented to the very deserving Philippa Allen OBE, who has spent over 40 years championing the cause of the trade – in particular British designers – and was chairman of the GA from 200 – 2002.
Some great presentations then followed on from Taz Thornton of social media expert Turquoise Tiger, James Robinson of Lloyds Development Capital and Help for Heroes founders Bryn Parry OBE and Emma Parry OBE. Following a lovely lunch members were also invited to participate in individual surgeries with industry experts including GA’s legal expert Richard Bailey, past GA chairman Keith Entwistle (on employing sales agents), Mike Ganley (selling skills) and the GA copywatch team (protecting your intellectual property).
