National Merchant Buying Society (NMBS) has announced the array of social activities that will be available to delegates at next year’s All-Industry Conference in Sorrento, Italy.
As well as a two-day Business Conference packed with world-class speakers, delegates will be able to enjoy exclusive activities that showcase the culture, traditions and beautiful landscapes of the Sorrento region.
The social activities are being jointly sponsored by Velux, Polypipe and Knauf. The headline sponsor for the 2020 conference is Makita.
Day trip to Capri
There are four different activities to choose from on Thursday 18 June 2020, with the first being a day trip to the stunning island of Capri.
Capri is just a 30-minute boat crossing from the port of Sorrento, and attendees will be taken on a taxi tour of the island, accompanied by local guides. Capri is famous for its rugged landscape and designer fashion boutiques, and has dramatic coastlines including the world-famous Blue Grotto – a dark cavern where the sea glows electric blue as a result of sunlight passing through an underwater cave.
During the trip, and after a delicious lunch, guests will have time at their leisure to shop, explore the area further or simply relax for the afternoon.
Biking Tour
Alternatively, delegates who want to get off the beaten track can see the sights of the Sorrento Peninsula on a Mountain Bike Tour. Following the hill path, bikers can enjoy the striking views of the Bay of Naples and Salerno, before making a pit stop at a country farm to sample local delicacies including salami and olive oil, as well as learning how the local mozzarella is made.
This 4-5 hour tour covers a distance of 10km, making it suitable for novice and expert bikers alike.
Hiking Tour
Those delegates who would like to stretch their legs can, instead, choose to take part in a guided Hiking Tour along the Amalfi Coast. The ‘Sentiero degli Dei’, known as ‘The Path of the Gods’, links the tiny hilltop town of Agerola with Nocelle. Walkers will enjoy spectacular scenery and magnificent views of the coastline and the island of Capri.
Amalfi Drive
The final option for the Thursday is a drive along the winding Amalfi cliff-top road. Said to be one of the most spectacular roads in Europe, there are panoramic views on every bend that are bound to inspire some unforgettable memories. Drivers will head to Positano, a village perched on the mountainside and overlooking the sea. They will then have time at their leisure to explore the cobbled streets and to enjoy the beautiful village for themselves.
By midday, drivers will then make their way to the thriving resort of Amalfi – a cluster of white, tightly packed houses that rise up the hillside, leading to the beautiful Cathedral that stands at the top of the stairs leading up from the main square.
Housed in the magnificent Cathedral are the remains of Saint Andrew, the Patron Saint of Amalfi. A three-course lunch will be served there, followed by leisure time for the afternoon.
Tour of Pompeii
NMBS has also arranged for an additional activity to be available to delegates following the close of the business section of the Conference on Saturday 20th June – a tour of the ancient Roman city of Pompeii.
The story of Pompeii is known around the world – that of a thriving Roman city buried under tonnes of molten lava and ash in 79 AD after the eruption of the nearby volcano at Mount Vesuvius. The eruption encased the city, its buildings and its inhabitants, where it lay perfectly preserved and undisturbed for thousands of years before being rediscovered in 1748.
Now, delegates will be able to visit the city and discover how people lived in ancient Italy, seeing the elaborately decorated walls, mosaics and paintings for themselves. They will also be able to visit the forum – once the centre of political and social life in the city, and where plaster casts of the buried victims can still be seen, along with many of the everyday objects that were unearthed during the city’s excavation.
Sam Hunt, the company’s Events Manager says: “Visiting Pompeii is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that we knew many of our delegates would be keen to experience, so we were delighted to be able to secure this activity for next year’s NMBS Conference.
“Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast are amazing places with beautiful scenery, and so the biking, hiking and driving tours give our delegates the chance to explore the area and see the sights in whichever way they would most prefer.”
All activities are subject to availability and on a first-come, first-served basis.
The All-Industry Conference 2020 will take place between 18-21 June 2020, this year focusing on the theme of ‘2020 Vision’. Supported by headline sponsor Makita, the Conference will cover issues affecting the entire industry, including:
- Technology
- People
- Productivity
- E-Trading
- Innovation.
The Conference aims to give merchants and suppliers alike the chance to take time out from their day-to-day work to reflect and discuss new ideas, before returning to their businesses newly inspired and ready to implement new ideas.
As well as activities and a packed business conference, delegates will also have plenty of time to socialise with their peers and network during evening dinners.
