Eat your hearts out, folks! I was there last night at the biggest event in town, mingling with the literati and glitterati, fighting my way through the crowds, and trying to avoid the bevy of paparazzi. I’m referring, of course, to the UK Trade Association Forum Annual Best Practice Awards.
And, oh what a night it was indeed. I was guest of ‘our’ industry association, Intellect, which was shortlisted for the Event of the Year Award for the Regent Conference (and see Regent wins awards). They were up against stiff competition from the British Insurance Brokers Association, the Horticultural Trades Association, the National Bed Federation, the National Specialist Contractor's Council and the Professional Publishers Association. In the end, Intellect was pipped to the post by plant life at the ‘Horties’, but I should also say there was a special commendation for the entry from the National Bed Federation, which I understand had something to do with a set of Laura Ashley bedsheets and matching duvet cover.
But it was exciting to be in the company of other industry association luminaries representing such august bodies as the Resin Flooring Association, the National Hairdressers' Federation (and what a magnificent set of bouffants graced their table, I can tell you), the Federation of Plastering and Drywall Contractors and, it would be remiss of me not to mention, the Asphalt Industry Alliance in conjunction with the Refined Bitumen Association.
I could hardly contain my excitement at being there or my (genuine) disappointment that Intellect didn’t carry away the Event award (for hardly impartial reasons). Better luck next year, Tina!
By the way, there was a real star of the show last night, and that was guest speaker and host, ex-England rugby player, Martin Bayfield. A towering 6’ 10” tall, Bayfield dwarfed the award presenters and lucky winners as they came up on the stage. He also regaled the audience with truly witty and often self-deprecating repartee – and, yes, I was taking notes!