TELFORD: The annual NMBS Exhibition is now in its 43rd year, and is bigger and better than ever, the Society promises. The show will be held at the Telford International Conference Centre in Shropshire.

This year, Paul Merson is the Gala Dinner speaker. Mr Merson started his football career in 1984 when he became an apprentice at Arsenal Football club, he then went on to make his debut for the England Under 21 side in 1988, and in 1994 made his first appearance for the full England Side. In total, he played 425 times for Arsenal, scoring 99 goals.

The Gala Dinner will also be a great opportunity to network pre-exhibition and to facilitate some new trading relationships.

The I Love Independents campaign returns for 2012. The NMBS marketing team will be on the special stand, based in the reception area of the Telford Exhibition to help merchants sign up to the challenge and provide them with ideas about what they can do to help generate greater awareness of their business.

The 'I Love Independents' Day Challenge will be held on 4 July 2012. The winner will be the independent who generates the most awareness of the benefits of trading with independents.