tearful goodbye to OpenRoom Events who have been with us for four years and elevated our annual pageant to the level it now is. This is down to the principals of that business – Emma & Fiona – who worked very hard on the Association’s behalf. Thank you so much for what you have done for us and wish you well in your new adventures which, given their total professionalism, will be a success I am sure. Now a pulse check – It has come to my attention recently that a number of fires (flashbacks) around the country have occurred (including one in my own area), involving numerous contractors that are giving us all a “wake up” call. I am currently conducting an investigation but vigilance and understanding must be with us all in avoiding errors that can be very costly if we do not follow proper safety procedures. There will be more on this subject later in the next issue. The History series will soon be drawing to a close in 2010 and I have come up with an alternative that I hope you find interesting, – “Ask the Experts” pages will be
I hope that all of you that attended the APEA AGM, Conference, Exhibition and Awards Dinner in October, enjoyed yourselves. There is a comprehensive article on the event and this can be found on page 46 together with photographs covering the day and evening events. Preparations are underway for the 2010 event and details will follow in the next issue.
return your form if you wish to be included. Only members registering their details with me will be included in the Yearbook. The form can also be downloaded from the APEA website on the Publications page. You can also benefit from the following if you wish to advertise in the Yearbook:
introduced producing a new theme in the pages of this Journal that should bring much needed technical information for those who read it. As it is still October I have to project forwards and wish everyone compliments of the Festive Season as that is fast approaching and hope I keep the formula right for The Bulletin as this has been my thirteenth issue as Editor! Now let’s return to getting on with pickling those onions for Christmas Until next time Brian
• All existing ‘Bulletin’ advertisers receive a 50% discount off the 2010 Yearbook rates
Yearbook You should have all received your 2010 Yearbooks at the beginning of October. Please let me know if you have not received your delivery and I will follow this up. All UK deliveries were delivered by recorded delivery. I will be posting out the 2011 Yearbook registration forms to you in February with the March issue of the Bulletin, so please ensure that you
• Any advertiser taking out a full page advert in the 2010 Yearbook is entitled to a Website banner free of charge for the year 2009 on the APEA Website • All APEA members are for one free entry Classified listings and Trade Directory, please
eligible in the in the tick the
relevant Trade Directory heading on the booking form If you wish to advertise please contact me for a booking form or you can download one from the Publications page on the APEA website.
2010 Membership You will find your 2010 renewal notice letter with this copy of the
APEA tel/fax 0845 603 5507 www.apea.org.uk
7
EDITOR’S REPORT/BUSINESS MANAGER’S REPORT
It seems a strange thing to do before the year is ended but looking back over the last 12 months has been one of the hardest we all have had to negotiate in terms of the global recession. Thankfully we are seeing incipient signs that the worst maybe over but we are still fragile and it is likely we will be a while yet until we return to a more healthy climate. Despite that your Association is in good shape as we have increased the membership slightly, maintained a very good annual conference and demands for training continue to be steady if not more in number. This is remarkable given the difficulties of many other small to medium sized organisations. As you will see again in the conference issue, we regard the event as a resounding success. There were some issues that need addressing but overall our first time at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry appears to have been a good one. I had to dash off to Devon for a wedding so missed our awards dinner but the record shows that this continues to be well received. Before leaving the subject of our conference I have to say quite a
