Next week sees the annual KBSA AGM conference, awards ceremony and networking event. In his first year as Chairman, KSL’s Richard Hibbert discusses what members can expect from will be the best ever KBSA conference yet.
Have you personally been involved in organising the conference?
I’ve been heavily involved! I want to ensure that this this year’s AGM and national conference will be our biggest and best ever. I know what it’s like to run a showroom and if our members are going to take time out of their busy schedules to attend, it has to be worth their while.
To ensure its success I’ve participated in all aspects of the preparation: From obtaining the most sponsorship we’ve ever achieved, to recommending and liaising with the speakers to ensure that what they discuss will be engaging and relevant to our members. I’ve been involved in the marketing and design of the event including choosing the new trophies that won’t be made of glass this year, but purpose-made Corian.
Most significantly this year, we reconsidered the agenda and content of the event so that it provides enough time for our members to learn, network and take away valuable information that will benefit their businesses.
So what’s happening this year?
This year for the first time, there is a retailer dinner the night before the conference that is free for retailer members to attend. This special dinner provides an opportunity for members to meet the KBSA Board and get a unique insight from experts on the future trends in the KBB industry.
On Tuesday we have a full morning planned of business briefing sessions. KBSA suppliers will host sessions covering key topics such as legal services, insurance, social media, digital services and PR. There will also be the opportunity within the ‘meet the corporates’ initiative to give retailers the chance to meet event sponsors to help them potentially find new suppliers.
In the afternoon we have a fantastic line-up of speakers. The evening is all about the Designer & Excellence Awards ceremony. There’ll be a drinks reception, the Awards presentation and then dinner and entertainment from String Infusion.
What are the speakers going to be talking about?
The speakers will cover three key areas of business. Richard Askam will talk about business strategy, Michael Holmes (property show presenter for BBC1, ITV1, Channel 5 and UK TV Style) will cover kitchen design and our keynote speaker, Sir Clive Woodward will present on a theme of teamwork and working ‘Better Together’, the overall theme of our conference. Sir Clive Woodward’s presentation will be particularly inspiring for our membership who we are encouraging to come together and work together, not just during the event, but on an ongoing basis.
What experience do you want KBSA members to get out of it?
I will be happy if our members get the opportunity to participate in some useful and positive networking between themselves and learn things that they are able to take back and use in their businesses straight away.
I hope that our members, through this event, will create relationships that enable them to support one another. It may be really simple things like sharing supplier recommendations or advice from previous experience, that kind of thing. It’s tough being a retailer, I of all people know that, we need to support and look out for one another.
What are you looking forward to most?
I’m really looking forward to seeing some industry friends that I don’t often get to spend time with. Also I’m looking forward to being able to deliver this amazing content to corporate and retail members. It’ll show just how far the KBSA has come in a year.
The KBSA is the only trade association operating specifically for the KBB industry, and represents independent KBB specialists. It was founded in 1978. Over 100 brands supplying the industry support the Association and its key objective of promoting the professionalism and excellence available from the independent specialist retailer. www.kbsa.org.uk