STOKE-ON-TRENT: A packed house, a packed programme and eight thought-provoking performances from the speakers made this year’s BMA Bathroom Conference the best yet.
“We were thrilled with the day,” says Steve Lee, president of the BMA. “Delegates were inspired and encouraged by the depth and the range of the subjects covered in the presentations and I am pleased to say that the BMA excelled once again, mounting the industry event of the year.”
Conference theme this year was 'Looking forward | Forward looking' – a catchy title for the serious matters in hand. Keynote speaker of the day was Richard Hytner, Deputy Chairman of Saatchi and Saatchi. His high energy and very lively talk inspired delegates to think outside the box to develop bathroom brands which will become loved, exciting and glamorous. He also suggested that manufacturers should begin to embrace the internet and new technology for communicating to customers with emotive messages.
Amongst other presenters Kathryn Rathouse, social researcher, spoke about her work with focus groups and talked about her seven top tips in marketing water efficient bathroom products. “Water efficiency is currently a low priority amongst consumers since using less water seems like going back to the bad old days. So there is a challenge to make water efficiency the way forward, not the way backward.”
“It will be difficult to better it next year,” commented Mr Lee, “but we have already started work on the arrangements and I’ve got a feeling that it will be another sell out.”
