Devised by Media 66 and CSJ Public Relations, the first independent furniture and joinery industry conference and awards gathering took place on Wednesday 26th and Thursday 27th October at Resorts World Birmingham. In excess of a 100 delegates came together from across the UK and overseas made the inaugural event at Resorts World Birmingham a positive, professional and enjoyable experience.
Following a dearth of opportunities for the industry to come together, The Furniture & Joinery Conference provided an exceptional opportunity at the impressive Vox conference facility at Resorts World Birmingham. If initial reactions, are anything to go by, it looks to have been a resounding success.
Andy Toseland, Hafele's Academy Manager alongside Young Furniture & Joinery Designer/Maker award winner, Aidan Inglis.
The event began with a lively drinks reception held at The Apartment on the eve of the event. Delegates and invited guests made the most of this initial opportunity to network and compare notes, one said the connections which they’d made had already proved the event worthwhile, anything at the conference the following day would be a bonus. With spirits high, the scene was set for a productive and exciting day at the conference.
Catherine Earle (centre) in discussion
Left: Adrian Woodcock, Westbridge Furniture Designs' Head of Design in covnversation with Daniel Mesecke, Account Manager at Microvellum
Left: James White, Halstock Cabinet Makers, Operations Director with Samantha Harness and Mia Hillyard from AR18
Left: Joshua Hudson, Furniture Lead at Rycotewood
The conference started with a rousing welcome from Lisa Williams, master of ceremonies for the day. She introduced the conference’s charity partners: Jonny Westbrooke, clerk and chief executive of the Furniture Makers Company (FMC), and Dean Williams, area fundraiser for Help For Heroes. Jonny highlighted the important and valuable work of the FMC in education, excellence and welfare. Dean’s impassioned presentation highlighted the brilliant work that Help For Heroes does for the armed forces community.
The main attraction for the conference was the four panel discussions which were held throughout the day, around the two sets of awards.
Mirka's Peter Sartain (centre) proffering advice to the assembled delegates
The discussions included most of the key issues furniture and joinery manufacturers are wrangling with today, including: the perpetual search for staff, training issues and opportunities, sustainable manufacturing, sourcing products and services, marketing and more besides. The delivery and moderation of the discussions was smooth and engaging with numerous questions from the floor providing an interesting dynamic.
From left: Erin Woodger in discussion with Paul Lewis
The awards were held in two separate periods: furniture manufacturer and joinery manufacturer of the year preceded by six young furniture and joinery designer-makers of the year being awarded in the first tranche. This was followed later in the day machinery and materials winners unveiled which led to the much-anticipated outstanding contribution award, won this year by Ercol’s Edward Tadros.
Ercol's Edward Tadros saying a few words after receiving his Outstanding Contribution Award
Throughout the day networking opportunities provided an inspiring amalgam of people and business from across the industry, comprising experienced and novice joinery, furniture, KBB, upholstery and bed manufacturers mixing with education providers, components and materials suppliers, events people, association representatives, leading software protagonists, all sorts of technical service providers, outsourcing specialists and more – a tremendous cross-section representing our great industry.
As the conference drew to a close, event director John Legg had this to say: “I am delighted with what the team has achieved at our first conference – the early feedback we’ve been receiving seems to confirm that we have created and delivered a required and potentially important event for our industry, bringing together all sides of the industry, to learn from experts and each other, to celebrate and to work together. It’s a tremendously positive experience. But I have to say at this juncture that none of this would have happened without the dedication of Lisa Williams, Catherine Earle, my wife Tracy, our families, friends and close colleagues from across the industry.”
So with a successful first event, when are we likely to see details of the next conference? “With feedback coming through strongly over the next week or two, we’ll be analysing and discussing that with our partners and stakeholders to see what form the 2023 event is likely to take. But rest-assured, The Furniture & Joinery Conference is here to stay,” concludes John.
