Kbsa AGM and Conference a Resounding Success
30Sep '19
The 2019 AGM Conference and Networking Dinner was a resounding success as the Kbsa celebrated an event that was fully booked, with 30% more attendees than last year.
Over 145 delegates attended the awards dinner, which was held at The Stratford Manor Hotel, Stratford upon Avon. The exclusive retailer dinner the night before the conference included a presentation from entrepreneur Toby Rhodes on ‘the lost art of conversation’.
Toby’s talk was well received by the audience as an entertaining look at the value of personal communication and how it can have a positive impact on business.
This year’s conference programme included three business seminars in the morning that covered, Social Media Solutions, The Customer Journey and The Future Market Place.
Baroness Michelle Mone OBE, gave an inspiring keynote speech that looked at the setbacks she encountered as well as the successes in building the Ultimo Lingerie business. She also talked about the personal challenges she overcame and said that hard work and determination can bring results.
National chair Richard Hibbert said that the Kbsa was delighted that the conference was still improving every year and focused on presenting material and topics that would help retailers stay ahead, despite the challenging trading conditions.
Uwe Hanneck, acting Kbsa CEO presented a review of the kitchen sector and said that despite economic and political turmoil, the furniture market was strong and the future was bright for the independent retailer.
Kbsa National Account Manager Allister Reed outlined how the association had grown and his plan to build the membership numbers and provide more benefits to members.