Testimonials
"The TAF Exchange remains the single most effective
opportunity to discuss, benchmark and improve best practice."
Richard Hulmes, Chief Executive, Safety Assessment Federation
"This forum provided the answers to many questions of practice which
I couldn't have discovered any other way."
Robert Peckham, CEO, UK Mac Dealer Association
"One day in the events diary that I would not like to miss!"
John Harris, Finance Director, Professional Computing Association
"Spending time in a stimulating and constructive environment is great
therapy for leaders of ATOs"
David French, President, BHETA
"The Trade Association Exchange event does 'exactly what it says on
the tin' and always meets my expectations. There is no better environment
for sharing and learning new ideas to further the interests of our respective
organisations and by default, the industries that we represent. The speakers
are also invariably of a good quality and are highly relevant."
Chris Buxton, CEO, Processing & Packaging Machinery Association
"The Trade Association Exchange one to one meetings were extremely
valuable. We had several excellent meetings which we feel will lead to mutually
beneficial collaborations. An excellent use of time."
Maxine J Horn, CEO, British Design Innovation
"A very useful day."
Richard Diment, Director General, The Federation of Master Builders
"A very useful event that, despite covering a wide variety of trade
associations, managed to make it meaningful for all."
Michael Major, Chief Executive, Energy Industries Council
"An excellent opportunity to share best practice ideas and techniques
for anybody working on behalf on member organisations."
Stewart Overy, Membership & Communications Co-ordinator, EEEGR (East
of England Energy Group)
"The sharing of ideas and experiences is invaluable, and this format
was ideal for encouraging uncensored discussions around membership rates,
recruitment and retention."
Michelle Dalton, Communication Director, Medilink West Midlands
"The day was extremely well organised - every second of my day was
clearly mapped out for me. There were plenty of opportunities to network
and every session was carefully structured to give the maximum information,
as well as vital questions from the delegates. First-class facilities and
staff. I left at the end of the day armed with plenty of achievable and
valuable ideas."
Francesca Smith, Head of Administration, Association of Professional Recording
Services
"TAF has built a momentum and credibility over the past several months
which means its voice now has a listening audience!"
John Kirkpatrick, Director, Motorsport Industry Association
"The TAF Best Practise Exchange provided an information-packed event,
carefully timed to allow ample opportunity for discussion and networking."
Louise Hay, Export Services Manager, Fine Art Trade Guild
"Thanks for the opportunity to experience the Exchange for the first
time - I found it useful."
John Keayes, Consultant & Secretary, Road Emulsion Association
"This event brought together good and committed communicators from
a range of business activities willing to engage in meaningful dialogue."
Roger Bull, Licensing Development Manager, Copyright Licensing Agency
"A superb event. I came away with lots of ideas to improve our trade
associations performance."
Tim Collins, Director, GAMBICA
"If there is one event association professionals should get to, it's
this one."
John White, Chief Executive, Timber Trade Federation
"An excellent use of my time. I came away with some inspirational
ideas."
Graham Hayden, Chief Executive, KBSA
"Worthwhile, well structured event that allowed for a good exchange
of information and experience."
David Orr, Chief Executive, Scottish Federation of Housing Associations
"I found the Exchange an excellent way to benchmark my TA against
others and to learn from their experience."
Isabel Martinson, Chief Executive The Giftware Association
"A very good gathering of influential people who were all willing
to exchange their ideas, thoughts and experiences."
Allen Johnson, Chief Executive, British Hardware & Housewares Manufacturers'
Association
"The TA Exchange is an excellent event for making contacts, sharing
ideas, and always very affirming to know that one is not alone in the arcane
world of trade association management."
Robert Syers, General Secretary, British Association of Removers
"Great day, a chance to meet your peers and get fresh ideas on how
to do a better job."
Paul McManus, Chief Executive, Music Industries Association
"I really enjoyed the chance to step outside my daily box and swap
ideas with others. I will certainly go again."
Martin Clarke, Chief Executive, British Precast Concrete Federation
"A very useful event - I picked up a number of good ideas that I can
apply in my own association and it was useful to benchmark what we are doing
against others."
Simon Juden, Chairman, Professional Contractors Group
"A great opportunity to share ideas with ones peers and for small
association managers, who are often isolated, to develop new relationships
with others in the same boat. This is particularly useful when one needs
to share problems with others who understand the trade association business."
Mike Spencer, Chief Executive, Association of Master Upholsterers &
Soft Furnishers
"There is a plethora of opportunities available for organisations
to attend 'networking events' but there are very few that meet expectations.
If Trade Association executives only attend one such event in the year it
should be the TA Exchange. It is an extremely useful and effective use of
time for anybody involved with running a trade association. Well done to
the TAF Team."
Chris Buxton, Chief Executive, Processing & Packaging Machinery Association
"The TAF is all about raising the profile of TAs and identifying ways
of enhancing the value TAs provide to members. Learning from other TAs on
ways of doing this can only raise the benchmark and enhance the effectiveness.
The Trade Association Exchange is a perfect forum for doing this. I found
the day extremely useful and learnt a great deal."
John D'Arcy, Chief Executive, The National Pharmaceutical Association
"This is a must for any Chief Executive of a trade association. You
will learn a lot."
Graham Hand, Chief Executive, British Consultants and Construction Bureau
"High value event in a modern, non bureaucratic style. Learned lots
and hopefully provided useful input. Time and money well spent."
Alf Carr, Director General, British Frozen Food Federation
"The exchange provided some truly useful insights into membership
drivers while giving the opportunity to discuss them in practical terms
with fellow travellers."
Patrick Barrow, Director General, Public Relations Consultants Association
"I found the day stimulating and a good use of my time."
David Smith, CEO, National Association of Master Bakers
"A day well spent on strategic issues and an excellent opportunity
to share best practice."
Peter Newport, Director, British Chemical Distributors & Traders Association
"Excellent use of new technology which is easy to use and which facilitates
relevant discussions with one's peers."
Niall Campbell, Chief Executive, British Footwear Association
"The event encouraged me to think at a far more strategic level about
association development and issues than I had previously considered."
Alan Aldridge, Executive Director, Energy Systems Trade Association
"It was useful to see the challenges other people running similar
organisations had and their approach to them - providing context for our
thinking here at the APA."
Stephen Davies, Chief Executive, Advertising Producers Association
"Airing ideas at the Trade Association Exchange makes you realise
that there's probably someone else whose been thinking along the same lines
and are probably in a position to offer advice."
Sally Banham, Assistant Director, British Marine Federation
"I found the TA Exchange to be both professionally and personally
worth while in the development of my duties as a council member of a trade
association."
Michael Egerton, Vice Chairman, Dental Laboratories Association
"An invaluable forum in which to meet and exchange ideas with others
in this often lonely profession!"
Robert Syers, General Secretary, British Association of Removers
"This was an innovative and successful event that provided the best
in networking, sharing experiences and top class speakers on relevant topics."
Chris Coggins, Director, British Wood Preserving & Damp-proofing Association
"A worthwhile and stimulating event."
Ray Seymour, General Secretary, National Hairdressers' Federation
"Excellent use of new technology which is easy to use and which facilitates
relevant discussions with one's peers."
Niall Campbell, Chief Executive, British Footwear Association
"This was a superb conference and represented very good use of a day
out of the office."
Brigitte Rushmore, Deputy Director of Marketing, BII
"The Trade Association Forum is all about spreading best practice:
this is exactly what the TAF Exchange manages to achieve."
Simon van der Byl, Director, General Quarry Products Association
"A great way to network and learn"
Paul McManus, General Manager, Music Industries Association
"In an ever changing world it is ever more important to network with
your TA peers, learn from one another and the TA forum is ideal for this."
Ray Seymour, General Secretary, National Hairdressers' Association
"The TAE is a superb event. This was the first I had attended and
it was 100% relevant, even though we are a tiny trade association compared
to some of the ones there."
John McKee, Chairman, National Association of Health Stores
"A key learning and networking event for trade associations."
David Sayce, Publications & Website Manager, Society of British Gas
Industries
"The TA Exchange is a great way to connect with your peers across
the widest range of sectors, and to exchange thoughts and ideas to make
changes in your own organization - or to realise that actually, you are
doing okay!"
Meryl Halls, Head of Membership Services Booksellers Association
"The Trade Association Exchange is a day of many things - educational,
entertaining, well-planned and well organised among them. The staff at the
event are excellent - helpful, polite and very efficient. The Trade Association
Forum is to be congratulated."
Stephen McFarlane, Membership Services Manager, United Kingdom Warehousing
Association
"As a new boy in the world of Trade Associations I found the forum
a wonderful opportunity to meet many useful contacts and to help understand
some of the best practice initiatives."
Brian Young, Director-General Designate, British Frozen Food Federation
"The innovative structure of the event provided an opportunity for
delegates to their contribute ideas and experiences and therefore to learn
from each other."
Pam Hyde, Export Services Manager, Construction Equipment Association
"Like any successful networking events, it is always good to meet
colleagues and new contacts face to face. The TAF Exchange is affirming
and re-assuring - you are not alone! Always come away with at least one
good new idea or slant on a familiar problem."
Robert Syers, General Secretary British Association of Removers
"A useful event, particularly as it enabled me to meet lots of other
people with similar issues and problems to mine."
Tom Mott, Membership Services Manager, Institute of Practitioners in Advertising
"This was the first time I had attended a Trade Association Exchange
meeting and I found the contacts made and ideas exchanged very useful in
my work."
Michael Fiennes, Communications Manager, Amspar
"Attending the TAE event provided an ideal opportunity to learn and
share knowledge and good practice. "
Stephen RamKissun, Marketing Manager, Association of Learning Providers
"This was an excellent use of my time. I came away with lots of ideas
for the way forward; and also the ways we shouldn't go forward after hearing
the experience of others! Fantastic opportunity to exchange ideas, and experiences
in a non-competitive environment."
Ruth Lilley, Head of Membership and Professional Development, National Association
of Estate Agents
"It was an immensely valuable networking event that has given me food
for thought for the future."
Nigel Rees, Communications Manager, Leeds Media
"Once again the Trade Association Exchange provided an excellent opportunity
for members to network in an unique and highly relevant environment - my
time was well spent attending this event."
Peter Gomersall, Director of Membership, Confederation of Passenger Transport
"The event is an excellent way of sharing best practice information.
It is well organised and structured to ensure the most effective use of
time."
Jon Murthy, Marketing Manager, UKAS
"Most valuable use of that precious commodity - time!"
Jean Rennie, Head of Membership Services, Timber Trade Federation
"Fantastically organised! "
Martin Cairns, Communications Director, PRCA
"This was the second Exchange I have been to, and both events were
useful and informative."
Hayley Fry, Research Assistant, Federation of Master Builders
"An opportunity to discuss common issues with other Trade Associations
and share learning."
Vivienne Cuckow, Assistant Director, Gin & Vodka Association of Great
Britain
"The Trade Association Exchange provides a unique and valuable opportunity
to exchange ideas and share experiences with trade associations working
in different industries."
Robin Hood-Leeder, Director of Membership Services, Federation of Master
Builders
"The Trade Association Exchange proved an extremely time-efficient
vehicle for identifying and meeting with key individuals within other TAs."
Andrew Maxted, Director of Commercial Services, The Horticultural Trades
Association
"I would strongly recommend participation in Trade Association Exchange
sessions as these offer a unique opportunity to exchange experience with
peers in a non-competitive environment."
Michael Eagle, Trade Association Manager, Federation of Communication Services
"Very well organised and stimulating event. TAF are to be congratulated."
Ann Symons, Membership Services Manager, BioIndustry Association