Funeral exhibition recognised in Best Practice Awards!
The National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD) is a member and big supporter of the Trade Association Forum – the organisation that promotes the development and sharing of best practice among UK trade associations – so was delighted to be shortlisted for a major honour after entering the Forum’s 2010 Best Practice Awards.
Held annually, the Best Practice Awards acknowledge excellence in key areas of business, including membership recruitment, written and online communication, environmental initiatives and sector representation. This time the Association entered the National Funeral Exhibition (NFE) for the Exhibition of the Year accolade.
The National Funeral Exhibition was one of five finalists in this category and when the results were announced at the Forum’s prestigious Awards & Networking Dinner in London’s Russell Square on July 1, the NAFD found itself up against the Association of Colleges Management Services, the British Dental Trade Association, the British Blind and Shutter Association and eventual winner the British Marine Federation. This is the trade association for the UK boating industry which, through its subsidiary National Boat Shows, organises the Southampton Boat Show and the London International Boat Show.
Headline sponsor for the Awards & Networking Dinner was United Kingdom Accreditation Service, the sole national accreditation body recognised by government to assess, against internationally agreed standards, organisations that provide certification, testing, inspection and calibration services. Other sponsors included RK Harrison Insurance Services, the Begbies Traynor Group, specialist contract publishing and events company Publications UK, Business Link and leading workplace risk advisor Sypol.
Nick Hewer, who is probably best known as Sir Alan Sugar's right-hand man on TV’s ‘The Apprentice’ was host for the evening. Hewer's PR firm was selected to represent Amstrad in the 1980s and soon took responsibility for media handling in respect of all of Sir Alan’s business and charitable activities. For over 20 years Nick played an integral part in Amstrad's management structure and also built up a long and impressive client list, including the Secretariat of HH the Aga Khan and the wife of the ruler of Dubai, the late Sheikh Maktoum.
After selling his business, Nick retired early to his house in south west France but, having become firm friends with Sir Alan, he was called back to help negotiate with the producers of The Apprentice. Nick then found himself appointed to an onscreen role and he and his original opposite number Margaret Mountford became surprising stars of the hit reality show.
NAFD chief executive officer Alan Slater, who attended the Awards & Networking Dinner along with National President Philip Blatchley and David Hyde from NFE organiser Leisure Expo, said: “We were so pleased with the industry’s response to the 2007 National Funeral Exhibition that we decided to enter it for Exhibition of the Year in the Trade Association Forum’s 2008 Best Practice Awards.
“We were delighted to reach the final on that occasion and felt that, in view of all the improvements we had made for the 2009 show – which is now established as one of the top four funeral exhibitions in the world – and the significant increases we witnessed in both exhibitor and visitor numbers despite the difficult economic climate, it was appropriate to try again.
“Although we are disappointed not to come away with the award, it is most gratifying that NFE was recognised for the extremely high standards it set in delivering a showcase for the UK’s funeral industry.”
The next National Funeral Exhibition will be at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, from 10-12 June 2011. Contact David Hyde at Leisure Expo on 01926 815597 for further information or visit www.nationalfuneralexhibition.co.uk
