bpma Education and Agreement
The Education Programme
1. What is the new bpma Education Programme?
a. The new Education Programme will be a 3 tiered continuous professional development programme, due for release at the end of the year. The more a delegate studies the more credits they gain, the greater number of credits they obtain, the further the delegate advances within the 3 tiered programme. To encourage continued professional development and learning the new programme will require all delegates to commit to a set amount of hours study every 3 years to keep their industry qualifications intact.
2. Who is the new Educational Programme aimed at?
a. The new Education Programme will be targeted at all levels of experience within the promotional merchandise industry. From those with a few months experience to the experienced entrepreneurs of our industry. The level of industry experience of each delegate will define which tier they start the education programme from. The programme will be suitable for both Distributors and Suppliers.
3. How will the students gain credits?
a. Students gain credits with the help of a series of online webinars, attending any bpma led seminars, workshops and regional events. Credits will also be allocated to delegates who attend the seminars at the bpma Education Day prior to the Trade Only National Show.
4. Are there any costs involved?
a. Cost to delegates will be kept to an absolute minimum. Your Association is committed to an education programme being available to everyone and will be funding this from reserves and further surpluses.
5. What will happen to the BPMA Academy and its current students?
a. The new Education Programme will build upon the current Academy. AllbpmaAcademy graduates will automatically gain credits within the new programme. Confirmation of finer details will be communicated in due course.
The Education Day
6. What and when is the bpma Education Day?
a. The first bpma Education Day sponsored by Trade Only will take place on Tuesday 22nd January 2013 at the Ricoh Arena, Coventry, UK the day prior to the Trade Only National Show. The bpma Education Day will be a full day of seminars featuring professional speakers, business trainers & other experts. Topics will include; winning big business, social media, marketing, compliance, internet marketing and more. There will be 12 sessions running through the day – More information to be released later in the year.
7. Will the Education Day count towards the new bpma Educational Programme?
a. Yes, delegates that attend any of the 12 sessions at the education day will gain credits that can be used towards gaining a qualification in the new bpma education programme.
The Trade Only Contract
8. Does this mean that Trade Only can influence bpma policies?
a. No, Trade Only Ltd have no influence over bpma policies, these are all set by the bpma Board of Directors.
9. Does the bpma lose their independence?
a. No, the bpma does not lose its independence. The bpma is still an industry body which exists to enable their members to be more successful and be seen as exemplars of best practice, centres of excellence to customers and partners within the promotional merchandise industry
10. Will the bpma profit from the deal?
a. Not as such because the bpma is a not-for-profit organisation. ALL monies generated from the contract will be reinvested in training, research and education, to help grow our industry
11. Does this mean that the bpma can’t endorse other Trade shows?
a. The bpma are free to endorse other shows unless they directly compete with the Trade Only National Show. This show is going to feature the bpma Education Day and already holds the bpma Annual Awards Dinner and the bpma Pavilion, so it is in the bpma interest to help make this show a great success. The bpma supports a number of shows throughout the year.
12. What does the bpma do with the endorsement fee and commission payments they receive from Trade Only?
a. The bpma is making the single biggest investment in education to benefit everyone within the industry and is also doubling its spend and commitment to an industry research programme. These projects are essential in raising the profile and value of our discipline. The bpma are also investing heavily into PR and advertising within the end user community to raise awareness of the power of promotional merchandise as part of an integrated marketing mix. The bpma presence and activity at the Promotional Merchandise Show at Marketing Week Live in June will be considerable. The bpma-sourcing.co.uk sourcing platform was a considerable investment for the bpma enabling distributor members to receive free end user leads. A further investment into the development on the online sourcing platform will only enhance this service
13. Why does Trade Only support the bpma?
a. Trade Only Ltd believes that this industry needs a strong body to regulate, educate and project it and wants to see the industry grow and expand for the benefit of all who work within it.
