SLEAFORD: To give more focus to both suppliers and members, two Cemco Connect conferences were agreed  earlier this year, one specifically for heavyside members and suppliers, and one for lightside.

A conference-style event was decided upon to give a better insight as to how Cemco is run and at the same time ensure that the communication was better focused to its members and suppliers.

Conference host, Kevin Parr, started the proceedings by challenging the chairman, Andrew Nicholls, on why the conference was held when others had been cancelled due to the economic climate. Mr Nicholls responded by telling the audience that Cemco still need to drive business, working more proactively with their suppliers to forge even closer working relationships.

In order to get these messages across succinctly, rather than in long drawn-out presentations, host Kevin Parr interviewed key directors of Cemco on stage to give the audience a clear message of where the organisation was heading.

The participants were asked a number of searching questions to understand the new board structure at Cemco and their aspirations for the future of the membership. 

The message was given that Cemco is keen to deliver commitment to its suppliers by working together to drive business. There was no optimum number of members, but every member was theere to deliver value to both Cemco and the supplier.

Following a 'question time', the conference progressed to a 'Meet the Merchant' session where suppliers were given the opportunity to launch their deals to the membership. This was followed by an evening of networking over dinner followed by entertainment provided by comedian Bobby Davro. 

The following day saw Kevin Parr reiterate the 'working together' theme and introducing a keynote speaker to re-enforce this message.

The conference culminated in a 'new supplier awards' ceremony. These awards were designed to recognise those suppliers that had worked together with Cemco through the previous year. 

These included the following categories:

  • Heating supplier of the year (presented by Steve Wimbledon) – Winner: Main.
  • Bathrooms supplier of the year (presented by Mark French) – Winner: Bristan.
  • Retail supplier of the year (presented by Gordon Jackson) – Winner: Matki.
  • Plumbing supplier of the year (presented by Peter Fitzcharles) – Winner: Comap.
  • New supplier of the year (presented by David Hebdon) - Winner : Rangemaster
  • Overall lightside supplier of the year (presented by Matthew Harrison) – Winner: BCGXL.

The Heavyside Conference was held at the beginning of February, and the Lightside Conference at the beginning of March.