More than 1,050 independent builders’ merchants and suppliers donned black tie and ballgowns to celebrate the first NMBS Dinner Dance since the pandemic.
Almost certainly the industry’s most anticipated social event of the year, the NMBS Dinner Dance, held on Saturday (22 October), featured a night of entertainment and networking at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel.
NMBS Chief Executive Officer Chris Hayward took to the stage in the opulent Great Room to welcome guests and thank them for their continued support in recent years. Bagpipes signalled the start of the night’s festivities, featuring Singing Waiters and a trio of bands including The Overtones, Men of Motown and Fully Funktional.
During the evening, guests also raised a huge £10,000 for Crash Charity, which brings the construction industry together to help homelessness and hospice organisations by supporting them with building projects and in creating caring environments.
Chris said: “Our Dinner Dance has one simple objective – to thank members and suppliers for their support and give them opportunity to enjoy each other’s company and relax away from the business-as-usual environment. It really has become a lynchpin social event in the independent merchant calendar, and this year didn’t disappoint.
“We are an industry serious about what we do and during the pandemic we all raised our game and helped the country to start building again, kick starting the economy and raising people’s spirits. However, we are equally serious about looking after each other and having fun, so it’s been fantastic to have the Dinner Dance back on the calendar.
“I would like to thank our NMBS staff who made this possible, as well as our sponsors.”
Those sponsors on the night included:
Reception – Bradstone/Makita
Opening Cabaret – Aliaxis
Main Cabaret – Metabo/Hikoki
Closing Cabaret – Birtley Group
Band – Forterra
Toastmaster – H+H
Ladies Gift – British Gypsum
Gents Gift – Toolbank
Scratch cards – Artex
Wine – Marshalls/YBS
Water – Worcester Bosch
Chocolates – First Event
Prize Balloons – Keylite
Chocolate Sleeves – Hanson Cement
Photobooths – Honeywell Home by Resideo
Lottery Tickets – SIG
On the night, anyone donating to Crash Charity was entered into a prize draw to win an iPad Pro. Natalie Allcock from chartered accountants Rogers Spencer was named winner.
