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we will be professional, positive
and passionate about what we do.”
Conference,
Exhibition
and Events
NMBS NATIONAL CONFERENCE ATHENS
"I would like to thank you personally
for your help and assistance with the conference content and programme.
In particular with sourcing the excellent speakers for the Business sessions
which made the conference such a great success."
Sam Hunt, Events
Manager, National Merchants Buying Society
“For those
who went to the NMBS conference this month, you will have experienced
one of the best the industry has seen.
If you missed it, you missed out on an exceptional conference.”
Joycellyn Akuffo, Deputy Editor, Builders Merchants
News
The First '21st Century Academy'
Conference Voted a Big Success.
The British Chambers of Commerce launched their '21st Century Academy Membership Best Practice' in Coventry at the Royal Court Hotel. The brainchild of Karen Webb and John Dugmore, this conference was designed to address the key issues faced across the Network for Recruitment and Retention.
“I am delighted with Parr Marketing’s support and organisation in helping us to deliver this conference. The speakers provided were excellent and played a key role in helping us to inspire and motivate the delegates. We all know how crucial membership is to any chamber, it is our life blood. Members are our shareholders and our customers; this Academy's conference programme has been put together and organised specifically for those with the challenge of making this work.
“It was a pleasure to meet you at our first Lloyds TSB Telford Business Club event at the White House Hotel on Thursday. The feedback we have received is very positive and reflects the contribution you made to the event with your energetic and motivational presentation. I know that many in the audience had made copious notes – apparently, one lady had 35 tips noted!!
“Your presentation hit the mark for me as it dovetailed nicely with the launch of my new team and has enabled us to cement existing relationships and build new ones – particularly with our top 15 “movers and shakers”. This gives us the platform to build our presence in Telford and link into local publicity to support. Thank you for generating these contacts.
As a result of the evening I have also been able to send Marie Curie Cancer Care the £455 which was raised by the event. The Bank will additionally be matching this amount as part of our Charitable donations so that over £990 has been raised for our nominated Charity. A fantastic outcome.
I do intend to hold future events and will keep
you informed of our plans. I thank you for supporting the message that
we have a local presence in Telford now – available to meet the
financial needs of the business community.
Brian Cartwright – Senior
Business Manager – Lloyds TSB
Bank Plc
As you have now completed two business events for
us, I thought I should drop you a line to say “Thank you”. I
know that this may come as a surprise to a shy and retiring individual
such as you, but I consider it necessary. From 2 events, presented
to some 120 customers, I have had only positive comments. Not only out
the contents, but also about the way you deliver, the passion and humour
that you have and the boundless energy. The talks are thought provoking,
but also provide simple (and sometimes obvious) practical things to implement.
This has proved beneficial in helping to identify targets, sorry prospects,
to be attracted to the bank. I further know of a consultant who
has adapted a number of your “tips” to great effect. I
have no hesitation in recommending others to use your services. I will
be looking to do another event with you in the future. Our joint event
with Turner Peachey Accountants was very well received and I know that
they feel it has added to their reputation with their clients.
Nigel Owen – Senior
Business Manager Lloyds TSB Bank Plc
I just wanted to drop you a line to thank you very much for your fantastic motivational talk last Friday. Back at the office afterwards the Team were still buzzing with interest and ideas from the afternoon’s events.
We are producing some flash cards to put around the
office, together with a few other ways of keeping up the momentum. We
will then monitor the Referral Strategy system closely, so that we can
show everyone the actual tangible and positive outcomes that can be achieved.
Once again, many thanks for a brilliantly entertaining and informative
day.
Dave Nash - Pestbusters
The 21st Century Membership Group identified that there would be huge benefits in sharing best practice and identifying solutions to the issues facing all of the chamber network. The conference was opened by David Frost - Director General of BCC - who spoke passionately about his time at the sharp end seeking finding and carefully looking after members. He actively encouraged the delegates to get involved in the breakout sessions and really drive this initiative forward.
"I have had a great time,
I didn't know what to expect but there were some fantastic speakers
and some excellent workshops.
Nicola Flood - Shropshire.
Would You Become a
Chamber Member?
- Current Benefit Packages
- Unique Selling Points and the Competition.
The breakout workshops were a hive of activity and produced excellent feedback. Each group was led by their team captain and supported by the facilitators who between them consolidated top line actions into Power Point for Conference Moderator, Rob Curling, to facilitate final discussion and agreement.
"This is what has been
needed for a long time. We should do more of them."
Chris Worrall - Leeds.
"Excellent and very worthwhile
- must be followed up locally and nationally! Entertaining! Excellent!
Sara Hughes - Southern Derbyshire.
Membership Analysis
How is the information used?
How is it done and who is responsible?
Kevin Parr opened the afternoon session with the first of his two talks. In his opening message "Membership is the driving force behind your chamber" he asked delegates "Do you grade your members? Do you have overall client objectives? Do you analyse what they do with you? Is it a genuine partnership?"
- Marketing Image - How do our customers/public see us?
- Campaign Approach - Do we take a joined up approach?
- Events & Seminars - What works/Doesn't work?
The delegates had 15 minutes on each topic to agree best practice for their groups and in turn their top line thoughts, ideas and solutions were then discussed in the main conference hall.
"The presenters were excellent
- would look forward to another similar event, very entertaining."
Susie Azoulay - Coventry & Warks CC.
The dinner at the end of the day was sponsored by BUPA and John Pryde, their Business Development Manager, delivered his thoughts on the way forward prior to the evening's activities.
"Must ensure I implement at
least one newly learnt area of best practice. Can always improve, but
hell of a start. Annual Academy?"
John Dugmore - Liverpool.
"Found it useful that staff
from all levels were invited to attend."
Julie Beveridge - Birmingham.
"More of this in the future
please." More support from BCC please, strategy and marketing."
Trevor Thompson - Rotherham.
DAY 2
Was opened again by Rob Curling, who introduced Alan Howell, Business Development Manager for the Automobile Association. Alan's topic was 'MEMBERSHIP', Past, Present and Future. He drew the comparisons of the challenge to recruit and retain a cross section of customers and shared his experiences and insight into the systems, procedures and innovative thinking behind the AA's success. The key topics were charging structures, marketing methodology and marketing materials. In the following breakout session, the delegates shared information on rates, consistency and value for money, with some delegates presenting examples of successful marketing collateral.
"Good to be on different tables
for each workshop - this works. If the aim of the conference was to motivate,
to share best practice and do some very good networking, then they were
fully met."
Anne Marsters - Norfolk.
"I have taken away some new
ideas and made good contacts. Think this should be an annual event. Would
like to see something held in Scotland to encourage Scottish Chambers
to attend."
Helen McBride - Renfrewshire.
"Lots of excellent ideas, but
will anything happen at national level? Will BCC drive change?"
Dawn Hudd - Shepway.
Mike Hardcastle's talk was last but certainly not least, setting up the final workshop subject of RETENTION STRATEGY. Mike asked the audience to draw parallels with their own personal relationships to find the answers for 'customer care' with an interactive Q and A delivery.
"Thought provoking. Helped
to share best practice."
Linda Green - Herefordshire & Worcestershire.
"A major for BCC to implement
some of the ideas discussed. I found this a very valuable event to meet
an excellent group of colleagues and I have 'robbed' some Chambers of
their good ideas. It has become very clear that all chambers operate differently.
However, there is one consistent area to all and that is 'Commitment'.
I certainly will ensure I make regular contact with my colleagues across
the country."
Patrick Long - Newport & Gwent.
"It has confirmed my beliefs
that a sales orientated culture needs to be developed."
Damian Ford - Sussex.
"Excellent, good pace, very
good speakers. Relevant subject matter."
Maria Iliffe - Nottingham
"The workshops have been very
well organised, the groups could have been smaller as everyone had lots
to say! Thank you for organising a very good day and a half! Please do
more."
Alison Napier - Leeds.
"It may encourage more cross
chamber interaction. NECC seemed to be quite advanced compared to others."
Debbie Donoghue - North East.
After the final discussion in the main conference hall, Rob Curling, Conference Moderator, summed up the day and a half and introduced John Dunsmure, Managing Director BCC, to close the conference.
John thanked the delegates for attending what had been a very successful first conference and pledged his commitment to responding and delivering on the agreed outcomes.
"I have learnt a great deal
about the operations of other Chambers and will take back numerous valuable
marketing tips which I intend to implement ASAP. I would like to see more
chambers attending."
Helen Richards - West Wales Chamber.
"Good co-ordination, BCC Services,
(to provide) logo profile needs to be more proactive and be seen to provide
'Excellence' of services the Chamber pay for. Implement a BCC retentions
policy."
John Brown - Herefordshire and Worcestershire.
The Best Practice initiatives from the conference will be forwarded shortly, however the evaluation and feedback summary is already here.
- 60% Very Good.
- 29% Good.
- 1% Neither Good Nor Poor.
- 77% Very Good
- 23% Good.
- 60% Fully Met
- 40" Partly Met.
- 5 = 43%
- 4 = 43%
- 3 = 14%
- 34% Very Influential
- 60% Influential
- 6% Unsure.
"How will the information presented
be used to improve service locally and nationally? Who will take the lead
from the Academy, will there be a follow up?"
Christine Lambe - East Lancs.
Call us today: 01384 877 877
or email: samparr@parrmarketing.co.uk
