Around 200 delegates joined the Annual NABMA Conference, which was held in Statford upon Avon in September 2019.
It was an important milestone for NABMA as we celebrated our 100th anniversary.
It was also the last conference, as Chief Executive, for Graham Wilson.
David Preston, NABMA’s new Chief Executive said, “I would like to thank Graham for the passion and exceptional leadership that he has displayed, not only for NABMA itself as Chief Executive, but the market industry in general over so many years. It is good news for us all that he is staying with us as part of the NABMA team focusing on legal and policy issues.”
The conference featured a packed agenda and we are grateful to our conference and award sponsors for their continued support of our events including Groupe Geraud, Blachere Illuminations, Market Place and KPR Midlink.
Delegates had the opportunity to listen to a wide range of industry experts and individual market initiatives, as well as taking part in workshops and meet exhibitors in the Market Place Exhibition.
One of the highlights of our Centenary Conference was the presence of a delegation from Seoul culminating in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the two organisations to share information and knowledge about the respective nature of markets in the two countries.
We were also able to recognise the hard work of successful students, who collected their diplomas in Market Administration.
Our Gala Celebration Dinner, was not only a great opportunity to look back on the work of NABMA, but also to celebrate the best in the industry at the Blachere Market Industry Awards. We enjoyed a fabulous meal, great company and entertainment, courtesy of Blachere, from The Jerseys.
…and the winners were:
Hackney Council were The Innovation Award winners, who have developed a comprehensive programme for encouraging new traders and providing them with training to make a success of their new career.
Markets Manager of the Year was awarded to Kristina Fox of Norwich. Norwich Market has undergone a remarkable transformation and now contributes in a very positive way to the city’s offer. As a relative newcomer to our industry Kristina has worked tirelessly to build up the Market and give it a new image and personality.
Due to the quality of the entries this year, the judges also decided to make a discretionary award to Karen Bates of Cheshire West and Chester, who has done so much good work in respect of Chester Markets and other markets for which she is responsible.
Jay Seville of Warrington has a background in marketing and she has used her skills to great effect to promote Warrington Market and create a very positive feeling about the market offer. She was the worthy recipient of the Young Market Champion Award.
Market Team of the Year was also a highly competitive section and the judge’s difficulty was enhanced by having to assess a variety of different teams looking after markets of different sizes and responsibilities. The judges were very impressed with one market team that had worked hard to turn around a failing market and give it a more optimistic future life. Because of all the work that had been carried out and the success already achieved a judge’s discretionary award was given to the Tiverton Market Team.
There are market teams that year after year provide excellent results and do not rest on their laurels and this year’s winner was Bolton Market Team, who demonstrated these qualities in large measure. They work hard to show that markets have a high profile and ensure the successful delivery of a range of different objectives including what has become the famous Bolton Food Festival.
There were also two very special awards. Firstly, the Krys Zasada Award, in memory of NABMA’s Policy Officer, who died tragically at an early age. This year the award was presented to Colin Wolstenholme of Bradford. Colin is a tremendous asset to the markets’ industry taking a lead on bench marking, retail market and wholesale market surveys. He is one of the most experienced market officers and has demonstrated over many years his commitment and dedication to markets on many different projects.
Finally, in NABMA’s Centenary year NABMA decided to make an award to someone who has been a “giant” in our industry. Taking a leading role in the former Institute of Market Officers and NABMA, for many years being a senior markets’ officer in local authorities and then setting up his own consultancy and private market business this person lives, eats and breathes markets. He has also supported NABMA in many ways and helped to forge a successful consultancy service with us. Allan Hartwell was the worthy recipient of NABMA’s Centenary Award.
Presentations from the Conference are available to download here.
Date for your Diary: NABMA’s One Day Conference will be held in Birmingham on Thursday 30th January 2020.
Conference Gallery
Awards
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