The 2024 NMBS All-Industry Conference takes place from 6-9 June, with a packed agenda promising to tackle a number of the key issues facing the building materials sector. PBM outlines some of the highlights delegates can expect to encounter in Cyprus.
Looking ahead to this year’s All-Industry Conference, NMBS Commercial Director Andy Hextall said: “The theme of the conference is One Industry. As part of this, we will be exploring the role of collaboration in propelling our sector forward, particularly off the back of a difficult 2023 and uncertain 2024 for construction.
“Our members and suppliers alike are keen to learn about the wider industry issues impacting businesses and the potential opportunities this presents the building materials sector, and we always aim to produce a well-rounded agenda that will both educate and inspire.”
He continued: “Across the two-day conference, attendees will hear from experts from across the industry as well as business specialists who will be giving exclusive insight into construction forecasts, trends and opportunities impacting our sector, the retrofit agenda, adaptability in a changing market, digitalisation and AI, and improving productivity and performance.”
The event will be held at the newly-opened City of Dreams Resort on the outskirts of Limassol, the second-largest city in Cyprus, and proceedings will be marshalled by professional host, keynote speaker, magician and digital illusionist Keelan Leyser with Andy explaining that NMBS wanted a host that “can keep the audience on their toes, and understands the digital transformation our sector is currently going through.”
Equally, the full agenda for this year’s conference has been designed to inspire those operating within the building materials sector to “think beyond this year and embrace the chance to future-proof their business.” For example, kicking off the conference will be Professor Noble Francis, Economics Director at the Construction Products Association, and he will be drawing on his extensive experience to share the latest updates on the changing economics of the UK construction industry and the wider UK economy.
Steve Collinge, MD of the Insight Retail Group and Executive Editor of Insight DIY, will then provide further business-led insights to identify key trends and their impact on the sector — and how merchants and manufacturers can respond. Bradfords Group CEO David Young, meanwhile, will discuss how merchants can grow and remain relevant in the years ahead by reflecting on the firm’s 254-year heritage and how, in David’s words, it has “survived world wars, epidemics, pandemics, floods and famines.”
Looking ahead to his session, David said: “I firmly believe that there will be more change and disruption in our market in the next 10 years than there has been in the last thirty. It’s a huge challenge and standing still is just not an option. It is an exciting time to be in the industry — be that in terms of diversity and inclusion, decarbonisation, national retrofit, planning reform, data standardisation, electrification, apprenticeships and sector awareness.”
Further industry speakers will include Glenn Paddison, Commercial Director of h&b Buying Group LLP, who will update delegates on the retrofit landscape and the challenges and opportunities it offers the sector. NMBS’ Head of Sales and Marketing Dean Hayward and Marketing Coordinator Charlie Smith will also present on the benefit of apprenticeships (with Charlie a former apprentice herself…) and what NMBS will be doing next to help independent merchants attract new talent.
Distinguished scholar and entrepreneur, Professor Alan Timothy will be sharing his thoughts on how artificial intelligence (AI) will shape the future of the building materials sector. He is the founder and CEO of Bubo.AI, an AI-driven pricing engine that uses software as a service (SaaS) technology and expertise to determine the optimal price point for every individual transaction, which has redefined pricing strategies within the B2B distribution sector and showcases the transformative power of artificial intelligence.
Alan’s broader engagement with AI extends to his academic role as professor of enterprise analytics at Birmingham University, while also holding fellowships at Teesside University and Newcastle University. He is also the chief technology officer at Treat-Neuro Muscular Disease, leading a team that is leveraging AI to fuse patient and medical data, driving research and treatment innovations in neuromuscular diseases.
In his presentation, Alan will be discussing how advanced AI algorithms can optimise pricing decisions and the potential of AI to drive economic efficiency and competitive advantage in today’s market, as well as pricing strategies and customer retention.
Throughout the packed business agenda, further speakers will tackle issues such as cyber security, the psychology behind performance, leadership and teamwork whilst the ever popular ‘meet the merchant’ sessions will reinforce the all-important networking opportunities for delegates.
The 2024 NMBS All-Industry Conference takes place in Limassol, Cyprus from 6-9 June.
