LOFA NEWS
NEWS AND VIEWS FROM LOFA AND ITS MEMBERS
Hello
Well, believe it or not I have already been here for 7 months, and to say it has flown by would be a huge understatement. I am having a great time and really enjoying my role, getting to know you all and of course getting to grips with all things LOFA! So where to start? Well, I have been wielding a giant spreadsheet and going slightly cross eyed with all the intricacies of organising the conference which has been great. Then we had the Solex Exhibition which involved an even bigger spreadsheet and more wielding. This was a huge learning curve for me being on this side of the Solex show but I thought it went pretty well ( I could be wrong, it has been known ) but I had loads of positive feedback so I think I’m on the right track, if you were there you may have seen me zooming about and if I didn’t get to say “Hello” I am sorry but don’t worry I am now out and about visiting you guys which has been lovely, it’s nice to see your places of work and what you get up to on a daily basis. So if I haven’t got to you yet watch out, it’s only a matter of time before I turn up demanding tea, biscuits and a chat. I have also been trying to get some approved suppliers on board which I am working on to help save you money where I can. I am also looking at revamping the website and putting some exciting projects together for next year plus all the other day to day running of the organisation. Watch this space!
Gina x Gina Hinde Marketing Manager
Norfolk Leisure Borabora Lounge Teak
Solex Exhibition 9-11 July 2019
This was my first Solex exhibition on the organisers side of the fence. Like most exhibitors I am used to stand building, organising logistics and arranging product so this year was a huge learning curve and very different to what i’m used to, so I had to listen and learn and take everything in which I did, and although there were a few minor hiccups it was a great show with some fantastic and positive feedback from exhibitors and visitors alike.
This year according to the stats I received from the GTN guys the Solex Sun was the best ever in terms of pages viewed, in fact 50,000 pages were viewed by 5560 unique readers, with stories about Tom Chambers launching their new Fenton Planter Bench, Scancom and their amazing Dura Ocean Chair, Kettler launching two new brands , Leisuregrow firing up the BBQ market with new Hybrid Gas and Charcoal Grillstream systems and Norfolk Leisure unveiling a The Awards for the best large stand new blue version of their popular went to Kettler, the award for the Florenity range. best small stand went to Barlow Tyrie and the award for the best new And if that wasnt enough visitor product went to Scancom for their numbers were up! Not by a vast brilliant new chair made from marine amount but definitely up and that is waste. The awards were voted for by what we shall all be working on for GCA Chairman Ian Wylie, and Chris 2020 to obtain some more exhbitors Roberts from Van Hage. The awards and more visitors. were presented in the LOFA lounge To kick this off we have already by LOFA Chairman Mark Osborne. produced a Solex Exhibtion website The GTN team also attended the which will be the place to go for show and produced the SOLEX Sun everything Solex related from 2020 for us, which is an online magazine onwards. that goes out to the trade and http://www.solexexhibition.com showcases all the stories from the show.
We asked all visitors
What did you like about Solex 19? “Plenty of exhbitors” “So many interesting attractions” “The most important suppliers to the UK could be found at this show”
“relaxed atmospheric and friendly people” “a very focussed event with all suppliers in one place”
“quality of products” “Timing is right - calendar year. In high season and having just sold last years purchases since March in right frame mind to purchase again for next year”
“The atmosphere, not stressful like other shows” “Easy to compare lots of competitors under one roof. Well organized, and less of a free-for-all than other trade shows”
Did any exhibitors stand out for you ? “Zest 4 Leisure “ “Kettler really well presented stand” “LANDMANN - GREAT DISPLAYS”
“Rotospa, for their unique approach to the product in their category” “Garden impressions. very helpful”
“Char-Broil stand. Full of product and not too many walls or features.” “Outback - the entire team was brilliant, stand was excellent and they even served food and drinks.. well done” “Bramblecrest - beautiful stand, commercially aware products and good breadth of range” “Lifestyle garden products with their sea plastic chair and fully recyclable furniture”
“Norfolk leisure, and Daro most inspirational ranges and variety, along with new finishes”
“Lifestyle Garden- our favourite supplier!”
“Supremo good mix of product”
Free Training
I am in the process of organising two training days at the end of October to help you with one or two items that you may find useful or gain some benefit from. Intellectual Property and Copyright Tuesday 29th October 2019 Birmingham or Telford TBC This is a simple talk designed to help you safe guard your intellectual property whether that be products, images, logos or just plain old copy. Given by Adrian Hocking who is a Chartered British and European Patent Attorney . He is an expert in his field and will help you to safeguard all your property. If you are interested then please click this link and let me know I am interetested in IP Training
g - YES FREE!
Social Media Training Wednesday 30th October 2019 Birmingham or Telford TBC This is a full day course 10am - 4pm helping you on your journey to becoming more social media savvy! The course will .. Help you understand Social Media. Understand your audience, who are you posting for? Creating content and dealing with images. Avoiding pitfalls and mistakes. When Social Media goes wrong. The course given by Jon Tromans is a non complicated Social Media course for those new to Social Media and a great refresher if you need to get your mojo back. If you are interested then please click this link and let me know I am interested in Social Media Training
LOFA ASSU We had our yearly LOFA Assured review meeting at the end of August with Vicki Burch and Richard Lewis from Hertfordshire Trading Standards and Phil Reynolds from FIRA. It was a good meeting and it answered quite a few questions. HTS and LOFA agreed all LOFA Assured related enquiries/ questions will be managed by the LOFA secretary who has been nominated as “gatekeeper� for all communication from members. According to the current HTS/LOFA rolling agreement LOFA is allotted an amount of hours by the HTS, fielding questions via the secretary will assist with cost control. All questions will be collated and passed to HTS on a monthly basis, feedback will be anonymous and placed onto the appropriate section of the LOFA website where members will have the opportunity to comment. HTS are the primary authority for our initiative based in Hertfordshire. They will deal directly with complaints in their local vicinity. Issues relating to companies outside their geographical area are passed to the nearest Trading
URED UPDATE Standards office, any action taken is driven by the resource available, the HTS confirmed detailed product information with test reports from FIRA is their preferred method to ensure appropriate investigations are taken. LOFA Assured members certification expire on 31st January 2020.
HTS who will investigate cushion safety on all products . I will not disclose the names of the companies at this point but they are very high profile companies within the industry none of them are LOFA members. Polyester Woven Mesh (Textilene) – LOFA requested feedback/guidance on these fabrics to clarify current confusion Practical advice (not legal assured advice) was provided that filling on any intrinsic pad must comply with the FFFSR Regulations. LOFA requested HTS carry out further investigations and provide a definitive answer.
There will be two audits in 2020, a paper audit and a random audit of 20-25% of members at your place of business. They will be carrying out the audits from Mid-February up until the end of March, as this is when all or most furniture will have hit the UK and be in stores. QUESTIONS FOR LOFA MEMBERS FROM HTS... We asked the HTS about prosecutions for those companies that we know Have any of you changed furniture are breaking the law, they said that suppliers since the last audit? we have to pass on this information to them, they will then investigate but Do you all have a due diligence they can only do what they can do system set up for LOFA Assured? and prosecute within the law. The HTS confirmed potential action taken as a result of market intelligence or failed test reports will be undertaken on a case by case review with any decision by the HTS remaining confidential. We expressed concern that LOFA members have seen little response to non FR product being sold in UK. 3 test reports were provided to the
WELCOME TO LOFA! New Members Update BBQ GOURMET
BBQ Gourmet is dedicated to promoting real BBQ and supplying the United Kingdom and Europe with the best competition-winning BBQ rubs, sauces, marinades & accessories from the United States and around the world. Regardless of how you cook, whether it’s on charcoal, wood, gas or electric, the real taste of summer can be yours all year round.
www.bbqgourmet.co.uk
RILEYS Riley produce a range of stylish outdoor billiard pool tables that are easily convertible into dining tables - a perfect setting for a family barbecue or garden party. Once the feast is over, remove the high tech composite dining top to reveal a low profile, fully weatherproof pool table.
www.rileyengland.com
#lovinglofaliving
NEXT EVENT AGM The Ritz London Wednesday 11th December 2019 This year the AGM will take on a new format and we really hope that you can join us.
Arrival
10.30 – 11.00 Tea/Coffee in Marie Antoinette Suite
Meeting
11.00 – 11.45 Meeting in Burlington Room LOFA Presentation Marketing Presenation Budget Presenation Conference Presentation Q&A Session
Reception
11.45 – 12.15 Drinks in Marie Antoinette Suite
Lunch
12.15 – 15.15 – Luncheon in Music Room We hope you can make it and look forward to welcoming you on the 11th December.
APPROVED SUPPLIER LIST I have been working on obtaining some approved suppliers for Lofa Members and if you have missed my emails this is just a little reminder page for you. Over the coming months this list will increase and as soon as the new website is live all approved suppliers will be listed for you and updated on a regular basis.
REFINERY PHOTOGRAPHY FOR ALL YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY AND VIDEO NEEDS Contact: Simon Hunt Email: Simon.Hunt@refineryphotography.co.uk www.refineryphotography.co.uk SR PRINT MANAGEMENT FOR ALL YOUR PRINTING NEEDS Contact: STEVEN GLOVER Email: steven@srpm.co.uk Mobile: 07894 935326 www.srpm.co.uk EUNISURE LIMITED INSURANCE AND FINANCE Contact: Harry Eddery - Director of Operations Mobile: 07590 665731 Office: 01638 722999 Email: harry.eddery@eunisurebizloans.co.uk The National Garden Scheme gives you unique access to over 3500 private gardens in England and Wales, and raises lots of money for nursing and health charities and if you are looking for a lovely place to take some photos these gardens might just be the answer. If you put in your postcode it brings up a load of gardens within your area that you might be able to use and they are very reasonable priced some just ask for a donation to the scheme or a charity, others want a little bit more. It’s worth a shot if you are looking for a bit of inspiration ! www.ngs.org.uk/
THE ESSENTIAL GARDEN EVENT OF THE YEAR PLACE - HALL 5 | VENUE - NEC | DATES - 7-9 JULY 2020
www.solexexhibition.com /solexexhibitionnec
02392 258844 @SolexExhibition
solex@lofa.com