- Fri 18th Sep 09
- AM Morning Congress
- PM BHF Group EGM
- EVE Exclusive Welcome Evening and dinner at the Tower of London & on board the Silver Sturgeon as she cruises the Thames
- Sat 19th Sep 09
- AM Morning Congress Business Session
- PM Excursion to Hampton Court Palace
- EVE Free Time
- Sun 20th Sep 09
- AM Congress Business Session
- PM Free Time
- EVE Exclusive Gala Dinner at Banqueting House
- Mon 21st Sep 09
- Visit to GLEE exhibition at the NEC in Birmingham
IHA Centenary Congress a Triumph
Closing the IHA Centenary Congress, immediate Past-president Chris Patterson thanked the "fantastic" speakers who had both informed and entertained delegates from around the world.
He commented:
"As the Congress ended with a luscious banquet in the former Palace of Whitehall, I lost count of the number of people who came up to me to congratulate the BHF Group on putting on a spectacular three days of highly informative, thought provoking and entertaining business sessions, alongside some glittering social events.
Everyone I spoke to during the evening were highly complementary of the level of detail that went into the organization and I am fully satisfied that we can consider the Congress an unqualified success. Congratulations should go to Mr Alan Hawkins, Managing Director of the BHF Group, together with fellow directors Mick Weedon and Paul Woolley for their focus and management, as well as the enthusiasm and dedication of all at Head Office, in particular Sarah Golden, Nicola Shoolbred, Esther Purvey and Jill Austin.
I would also like to thank all our sponsors who made it possible for us to lay on such a lavish and successful event. A full summary and photo library are available on the Congress website www.iha2009.com
IHA has celebrated its first hundred years in style and we all now look forward to Washington in 2011."
His thanks went, in particular, to the Gold sponsors:
- Akzo Nobel
- Bheta
- Liberon
- Toolbank
- Glee
- Towergate
Happy delegates commented:
"I just wanted to drop you a line to thank you for such a great evening on Sunday. You all must feel very proud of what you have achieved."
Louise Young, Managing Director, Home and Gift, Emap Connect
"Just a quick note to congratulate you on a fantastic event at Banqueting House and for what I am told has been a very successful conference. Always good news for a sponsor but you must also be delighted."
Andrew Weiss, President, BHETA
"I just wanted to write to you to say how impressed I was with the professionalism and organisation of the prestigious event we all had the pleasure of attending at the weekend. I truly enjoyed my day on Sunday both the speakers during the day and the Gala dinner in the evening were 'exceptional' and I have taken away many significant ideas and lots of inspiration. Thank you very much for your generosity both in terms of your hospitality and in allowing me to be part of such a magnificent event."
John Jackson, National Sales Manager, La Cafetiere
"I can't let last weekends IHA Congress go by without congratulating everyone within the BHF Group for staging such a magnificent event. It was terrific and you should be justifiably proud of the whole team for such a splendidly well organised event. It was most enjoyable and valuable.
From someone within the events organising business we know these things don't just happen on their own and can appreciate the level of detail that goes in to making them successful. So, for someone attending such events with a very critical eye, your team didn't miss a beat!
Please pass on our thanks and congratulations to one and all. Well done!"
Paul Grinsell, Sales Director, Totally DIY/Tools/Secure
"Congratulations on an absolutely amazing conference! I know the work that you and your team have put in. In fact, I have to say when I came up in July 2007 and we had the delightful lunch together, I thought "this is total madness" and whilst I have tried to help as much as I can, I could not believe that you would have got the thing on the road, let alone make it the fantastic success it was."
Martin Gibbons, Managing Director, Jegs
"We both thoroughly enjoyed the event and I would just take this opportunity to congratulate you and the rest of the BHF team for putting together a really first class event. I know how much hard work this involves and you can all be justly proud of the outcome. You were all excellent hosts."
Robert Jarrett, Professional Services Director, British Shops and Stores Association Limited
"Congratulations on a great success ................. I came away with food for thought from some punchy presentations and it was also great to catch up with retailers, especially amid the fabulous surroundings."
Jo Howard", Progressive Housewares.
"Everyone I spoke to during the event was highly complimentary of the organisation, the business sessions and the social functions"
Chris Patterson, IHA Past President.
"The Committee had arranged a splendid evening which showcased the best that London has to offer - and it was laid on in great style."
John Dean, BSSA.
"It was such a wonderful prestigious event to feel part of."
Louise Young, EMAP.
"All your hard work ..... produced an excellent result that was enjoyed and appreciated by everyone" - Brian Smellie, BHF member.
"I just wanted to say that I thoroughly enjoyed & valued the IHA conference. The content was great, and the social events outstanding. It was a pleasure to get to meet you, and all the BHF team. Be proud of a job exceptionally well done!"
Joe Mannion, Eurolink
"I really enjoyed the Congress and I would like to congratulate you all for organizing such an interesting and enjoyable conference. I am sure a lot of hard work has gone into it and I want to thank you all for turning this Congress into a memorable event."
Katharina Fowler-Kloke
