BMF’s Istanbul Conference raises £26k for charity

BMF’s conference Gala Dinner has raised £26,235 for the British Heart Foundation and the Turkey and Syria Earthquake appeal.

John Newcomb, BMF CEO, said: “I am unbelievably proud of the generosity of our conference delegates. Huge thanks to everyone who helped us achieve his fantastic sum for charity.”

The Gala Dinner at the Ciragan Palace, an imperial Ottoman palace on the shores of the Bosphorus, was attended by merchants, supplies and service delegates.

Chair of the Haldane Group, Ian Haldane, said: “Congratulations to the BMF team on a brilliant conference, fantastic location, 5-star hotel, interesting and motivational speakers and evening entertainment to equal anywhere in the world.”

The event was sponsored by Knauf, ACO, BMN, Kerridge Commercial Systems, Knauf Insultation, Marsh, Marshalls, Rockwool, SIG, Unilin and Velux.

David Berry, managing director at C&W Berry and chair of the Fortis Buying Group congratulated all at the BMF for a successful conference. He also explained that he knew how hard it can be to deliver such an event and he appreciated the great customer service.

Glenn Paddison, commercial director, H&B Buying Group and past chair of BMF Young Merchant Group said: “Congratulations on hosting an incredible conference in Istanbul.  To stay in such a fantastic hotel, dine in a palace and be entertained by some wonderful speakers I feel really blessed.  This event sets our industry apart and true to the theme I have returned home having created some fantastic new connections.”

The sell-out BMF All Industry Conference was attended by 450 people.

Conference host, Mark Durden-Smith, summed up his experience of the event by saying: “The BMF’s Mission Istanbul 2023 was an absolute epic, a genuinely magnificent gathering with great speakers both from within and from outside the industry.  I loved hanging out with the great and the good of the builders merchant community, who made me feel so welcome. Thanks for having me along.”