CAB’s Networking and Partnering Opportunities

On several occasions I have commented that the health of a trade association is based as much on member involvement as it is on membership numbers. A high level of involvement can lead to both innovation and exciting opportunities.

While our important technical work continues to expand, we have also focused on providing added value through a range of marketing activities and through our major Regional Events programme which brings members together from across the supply chain. The overwhelming response and growth of these Events throughout the UK highlights just how much members want to create partnerships.

At Interbuild 2008 we are planning to transfer this concept to exhibitions and are working with Emap to develop an innovative CAB Aluminium Village stand within the CAB Aluminium in Construction Zone. The perimeter of the stand will consist of a mixture of 2 open sided and 3 open sided stands while at the heart will be a CAB area acting as an information hub, lounge area and walk through. Each stand will therefore have easy access from both the outside area and to and from the centre of the stand. The concept can provide an array of exciting partnering, affiliation and networking opportunities for companies in a trouble free and ready-to-go exhibition space. With nearly 1,000 square metres booked in the CAB Zone in 2007 there is huge opportunity for the expansion of the village stand concept in the future.

CAB’s Regional Meetings also bring together leading speakers from the supply chain from Senior Facade Team Leaders to International Aluminium Sustainability experts to senior buyers and design and development staff from Main Contractors. They are frequently addressing a senior audience of around 200 at a series of inspirational UK venues. The sheer level of interest shown by the assembled audience has frequently led to the creation of some excellent follow on opportunities for both the Association and its members. Frequently speakers are surprised by the sheer breadth of representation across the sector.
This combination of both high quality networking and information will continue at our next event which is in Belfast (Waterfront Hall and W5) on September 25, 2008.

For more details of CAB’s Aluminium Village Stand contact Kelly Craul at Emap on 0207 7284624 or kelly.craul@emap.com

For details on CAB’s Regional Events of member programme contact Julie Harley at the CAB Office on 01453 828851 or julie.harley@c-a-b.org.uk

Justin Ratcliffe
CAB Chief Executive