LONDON: The Builders' Merchants Federation has thrown its hat into the conference arena with the announcement that it is also planning to hold an all-industry conference in 2012 – in Portugal.
The announcement coincides with NMBS' launch of its own conference in Spain which is to be held one week after the BMF event.
BMF said it has been in talks with its supplier members since the beginning of the year about putting together a conference. It had already secured availability at the Hotel Tivoli Marina in Vilamoura, Portugal, for 14-17 June – exactly one week ahead the NMBS event, which was announced on Tuesday.
BMF said it wants the 2012 event to be a high calibre business affair, accompanied by a lively social programme. However, with the economy still in a fragile state, there were fears that the industry might not be able to sustain two rival events – especially set so very close together.
Builders' Merchants News' poll, which goes live on Friday 15 April is asking merchants and suppliers to choose the event they would prefer to attend in 2012.
