Charity Retail Conference 2010
Tomorrow's Retailing World
- View Conference Sponsors
- Read the Conference Report
- Read the Awards Report
- Download Conference Presentations
- Download the Conference Exhibition Directory
| Main sponsors |  |
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| Main Sponsors: 1st Waste Management Consultants Ltd, Choice Textile Ltd, eBay for Charity, Itim, Retrograde Ltd | ||
| Bursary Sponsor | Choice Textile Ltd |  |
| Prize Draw Sponsor | Eproductive Ltd |  |
| Delegate Pad and Pen | Kudos Software Ltd |  |
| Delegate Bag | Maxa Solutions and Monro Ltd |   |
We would like to say a big THANK YOU to everyone who came to our Charity Retail Conference at Keele University: it was our biggest yet, completely selling out, and – from your feedback – seemingly our most popular too.
Sessions
Our focus for the Conference was on Tomorrow’s Retailing World, and looking to the future proved the thrust of many of the plenary and focus sessions. Among the most popular focus sessions were on online charity shops – both the eBay and Oxfam models – and new formats for charity retailing.
Delegates were also keen to learn more about partnering with organisations outside the charity sector, and building successful communication models for staff and volunteers.
Click here to download presentations.
Pictured above are consultant Jonathan Banks, Joe Saxton of nfpSynergy and CharityComms and BBC radio journalist Peter White.
Peter really got the Conference going on Tuesday morning. While his story of 'losing' his guide dog at Waterloo will undoubtedly stick for some time, his simple message of "talk to people" had equal resonance: it is the best way to find out how to improve life in your shops for all customers, staff and volunteers.
The Exhibition
With 48 exhibitors this year, we showcased more suppliers to the sector that ever before, from shop supplies and textile processors to PAT testers and service providers.
Whether you wanted new goods, insurance, a new bag contact or even an easy way of getting music into your shops, the Exhibition was the place to be.
Download the Exhibition Directory here.
Association of Charity Shops rebrand
Throughout the Conference, attendees were making their preferences known as to which of our proposed rebranding choices they preferred.
On Tuesday, the votes were counted, a verdict was reached:
The Association will be changing its name to the Charity Retail Association.
The name change is only one stage of an in-depth process. Members will be kept informed of developments as they happen.
Monday night: Drinks reception, Awards Dinner and Disco
Our after-dinner speaker, comedian Robin Ince, regaled us with readings from the many peculiar books he has found in his beloved charity shops over the years.
These included 'How To Marry The Man of YOUR Dreams' – with tips such as wear a skirt that is "short, but within the normal range for where you live" – Guy N Smith's crab-based horror 'Night of The Crabs', and a particularly racy Mills & Boon from 1980s Australia.
He generously gave away his copy of 'What Would Jesus Eat?' after dinner, so as someone else can gain Biblical tips on how to politely refuse pudding.
Robin was then joined on stage by the Chair of the Association, David Cryer, for the Awards Ceremony.
Click here for the Charity Retail Awards Report.
Bursary Winners, sponsored by Choice
- Geraldine Lejeune, Berkshire East & South Bucks Women’s Aid
- Gail Griffiths, Bobath Children’s Therapy Centre Wales
- Sarah Callow, Cancer Research Wales
- Julie Burley, Cornwall Air Ambulance Trust
- Siân Brady, Deaf Action
- Val Moore, East Cheshire Hospice
- Dawn Neary, East Lancashire Hospice
- Craig Shaw, Emmaus Colchester
- Sue Stevens, Worthing Churches Homeless Projects
The Eproductive Ltd Prize Draw
Eproductive Ltd provided 3 great prizes for our annual Prize Draw - here are the winners, pictured below with Chris Cowls of Eproductive Ltd:
1st Prize: Apple iPad - Ilana Ebrahimi, All Aboard
2nd Prize: 2 night weekend dinner, bed and breakfast for 2 at a Ramada Jarvis hotel - Pam Senior, St Ann's Hospice
3rd Prize: Apple iPod Touch - Tariq Thubani-Hacker, CLIC Sargent
