PRESS RELEASE
February 2018 

NMBS confirms activity day for 2018 All-Industry
Conference and backing for pre-event rally

As the 2018 NMBS All-Industry Conference draws nearer, NMBS has confirmed further details for the now sold out event.

The UK's largest buying society for independent builders', plumbing and heating, timber and hardware merchants has announced that the first day of the conference, Thursday 14^th June, will serve as an activity day. 

This will enable delegates to unwind after making the journey to the conference venue, the Grand Hotel Dino, Baveno, Italy, and to network before the business programme starts in earnest.

Those attending will be able to spend the day taking part in numerous activities including a golf tournament at the nearby Golf Club Des Iles Borromees.

Located just fifteen minutes from the hotel, the Golf Club Des Iles Borromees has an 18 hole, par 72 course which offers stunning views of the Swiss Alps and the Ticino Plain. From the 18^th hole, the skyline of Milan and four separate lakes - Lake Maggiore, Lake Varese, Lake Monate and Lake Comabbio - are also visible

In addition to the golf tournament, NMBS will offer mountain biking trips on the activity day with two options available to delegates.

The first is a relaxed excursion suitable for riders of all abilities. This will see guests departing from the hotel on board a private lake cruiser to Feriolo - a small village located north of Baveno.

From there, delegates will be able to take in stunning vistas on a leisurely 12km ride around nearby lake Lago di Mergozzo.

The second option is suited to more experienced and ‘serious' riders and will see delegates take a 20 minute ride on the Stresa-Mottarone cable car to the top of Monte Mottarone. This will be followed by a descent, accompanied by professional guides, along tracks of varying difficulties and lengths.

Before the conference even begins, delegates will also be able to indulge in some relaxed networking with NMBS backing a pre-conference rally being organised by ACO Technologies plc.

Offering an enjoyable alternative to flying, this rally commences on Monday 11^th June in Reims and will see participants drive a carefully planned scenic route through France, Switzerland and Italy before finishing at Baveno on the 13^th.

The drive will be broken up with overnight stays and optional excursions such as a tour of the G.H Mumm Champagne Cellar and a visit to see the largest displayed collection of automobiles - the Schlumpf Collection - at the National Automobile Museum in Mulhouse.

Commenting on the latest announcement concerning the 2018 conference, Sam Hunt, events manager at NMBS, said: "The 2018 NMBS All-Industry Conference promises a packed schedule designed to augment the commercial success of all those attending.

"That said however, it won't be all business and no pleasure.

"We recognise that shared experiences and some lighthearted competition can prove invaluable in helping people to bond and strengthen relationships.

"That's why we're delighted to be offering an activity day at the start of the conference and also backing ACO Technologies' pre-event rally."

The NMBS 2018 All-Industry Conference runs from the 14^th to the 17^th June.

- ENDS -

Images:

National Automobile Museum.jpg

Caption:
Rally pitstop.The National Automobile Museum inMulhouse is just one of the excursions which will feature on a pre-NMBS Conference rally being organised by ACO Technologies plc. 

For more information on this story, contact Wayne Leith atwayne.leith@nmbs.co.uk 

Notes to editors: 

• NMBS (National Merchant Buying Society) is the UK's largest buying group for independent builder's, plumbing and heating, timber and hardware merchants.

• Since its formation over 50 years ago in 1963, NMBS has continued to grow and evolve. Today it represents more 1000 merchant members and enjoys collective buying power in excess of £1.7BN. It uses this buying power to negotiate favourable prices and terms for members from over 600 brand leading, building industry suppliers. 

• Collectively, NMBS members operate more than 3000 branches nationwide and achieve annual sales of £7BN. This equates to approximately 40% of the value of the entire merchanting sector.

• Further value-adding services offered by NMBS include credit insurance, marketing support and access to a dedicated and secure portal known as the ‘Report Centre'. This enables members and suppliers to deal with many day-to-day transactional requirements online, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 

• NMBS also stages regular networking, knowledge sharing and trading events that bring together both its members and suppliers. These events include the NMBS Golf Day, the NMBS Gala Dinner, the NMBS Dinner Dance, the NMBS All-Industry Conference and the NMBS Exhibition.

• As part of its commitment to ‘Strengthening Independents', NMBS not only delivers services and events to enhance the profitability and success of its members but also acts as a voice and as a champion for the independent merchanting sector. 

• For more information on NMBS, visit www.nmbs.co.uk