bira brings suppliers and retailers together

Under a new format it will combine the AGM and Conference with the bira direct Suppliers Away Day to deliver a new programme of networking and information sharing for retailers and suppliers alike.The event will include a short AGM in the morning, a networking lunch, an afternoon conference with interactive networking and relevant, progressive business speakers, followed by an evening of gala awards for both retailers and suppliers. 

In the evening the resplendent Birmingham Town Hall will host the gala dinner, which will focus on the bira awards. These will incorporate the bira direct Diamond Supplier of the Year Awards (voted for by retail members), the UK Young Retailer of the Year Awards for each division of bira – BHF, CHA, HDRA, PPRA, BAGMA, BSSA Fashion and BSSA Furniture and two new social awards for Charitable Champions and Local Heroes, which will celebrate the invaluable social and charitable contributions so many independent retailers make to their local communities and efforts in raising money for good causes.   The British Independent Retailers Association is in a unique position to facilitate networking between retailers and suppliers and this new "one day, one night" format is designed to fit in with the time restraints and budgets that all retail businesses are facing in these pressured times.