A Very Merry Christmas!

With Christmas very nearly upon us it seems sensible to wish everyone a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year!

2011 has been a fantastic year for the Schoolwear Association and we hope to keep the momentum going into 2012 after a well deserved Christmas break. So for everyone involved with the Schoolwear Association, enjoy a few mince pies and a drink or two on Christmas Day and feel proud in yourselves for all the work you have done!

The Schoolwear Show in particular was an incredible event and we thank all those in attendance for making it one of the best years yet!

2012 is sure to be a busy year, but one we should also look forward to. Be sure to keep checking back here and on our social media sites for all the latest updates and news stories related to the Association.

In the mean time though, enjoy your Christmas holidays and have a fantastic New Years!

 

A Brief Update:

It has been the best part of a month since the Schoolwear Show finished, and we are in awe of how well it went!

Obviously a big thanks to everyone involved, but we must focus on the future of the SA and not reminisce for too long!

For now though, I just wanted to make one final remark about the Show as soon we’ll all be focusing on the run-up to Christmas (love it or hate it- it’s not THAT far away now!) So if you haven’t done so already take a look at the photo album on Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.254637114584763.60238.101224453259364&type=1

Or Follow Us on Twitter for more regular updates if you so desire: http://twitter.com/#!/SAschoolwear

The Schoolwear Show is over!

The Schoolwear Show is over, and a big thank you to all those who made it possible and to all those who made it such a success!

Of course, a big thank you to all the exhibitors as well! THANK YOU!

Eventually there will be some pictures on this blog of the show (all of them will be put on our facebook page so don’t forget to visit that too!).

Once the dust has settled a bit more, we will bring you a few more updates and notes from the show. For now though, I am pleased to say it was a great success! We, potentially, have in excess of 50 new members to the association! Furthermore from my own personal experience of the show it seemed to me that every exhibitor enjoyed their time there.

The Parisian Nights shindig we had on the Sunday raised in excess of £10,000 for the Association. It was a great night! For those that were present, we do hope the Monday wasn’t too much of a struggle for you!

We  hope we can replicate, or even improve upon, the 2011 show next year. Until then however, thank you all for your contributions!

 

A final reminder, don’t forget to check our twitter and facebook pages for the latest news/photos/developments! We tend to use social media a lot more now..!

The Schoolwear Show Approaches..!

The Schoolwear Show 2011 is now less than two weeks away:

http://www.theschoolwearshow.co.uk/newsite/homepage/index.asp

As you can infer by clicking on this link, the ever-ticking clock is showing there is only (at the time of writing) 12 days and 16 hours until the show begins!

Whilst this post is serving as a subtle reminder to those that may not have realised just how quick the Schoolwear Show is closing, it also has another function. For those who want to register/still have yet to register: REGISTRATION CLOSES ON 12th OCTOBER  so please don’t forget!

We are well and truly in the calm before the storm, but we hope you all enjoy the ride! It’s one of the biggest dates on our calender and we aim to make 2011 a stellar year for the show- visit the blog nearer the time for more updates from the show floor!

Parisian Nights

In case you weren’t aware, the Schoolwear Show is fast approaching. Yes, it is only around 6 weeks until the event takes place! Of course, every member of the Schoolwear Association is looking forward to showing off their new products and stands, but there is something else we are all looking forward to just as much!

On the 16th of October from 7:30pm we’re hosting a marvellous party at the Marriott Forest of Arden Hotel & Country Club. The theme is ‘Parisian Nights’, so gents put on your finest black tie and suits, and ladies slip into your finest gladrags and cocktail dresses! It’s sure to be a fantastic night and after all the hard work put into the Schoolwear Show we all deserve to have relax, have some fun and enjoy some Parisian glamour.

Last year the event was extremely successful and we aim to make this one bigger and better, tickets are £65 each + VAT and if you’d like any further information, or are interested in buying tickets, contact the following:

Jessica.Wilson@davidluke.com
Telephone: 0161 272 5852

We look forward to seeing you there!

New Chairman and Vice Chair appointed to The Schoolwear Association.

(l-r) David Burgess, Howard Wilder, Chris Whitby, Gill Phipps

The Schoolwear Association is delighted to announce that it has elected new officers at its recent AGM, and in line with its policy, has appointed a new Chair and Vice Chair to lead the group. The trade body which represents the school-specific uniform sector, has in excess of 200 members and is run on a voluntary basis by the Executive and Committee which represent a cross section of the industry. It has been responsible in recent years for lobbying Government on matters pertaining to the sector including VAT issues and the introduction of a Code of Conduct for its members. Set up in 2006 the new Chair is the third in the history of the organisation.  David Burgess (David Luke) and Gill Phipps (Early Years) step down as Chair and Vice respectively, the Executive and indeed the members thank them for their unstinting work on behalf of the industry.

Howard Wilder of Stevensons takes over the position of Chairman and he will be assisted by Chris Whitby of Blue Max as the Vice Chair. Howard’s immense experience of this industry as both a supplier and more recently a retailer will augment the work already achieved and take The SA forward in challenging times for our industry.

At his recent speech to the Executive Howard said the following: “I have been involved in trade Associations for many years, probably since the 1980’s when I became involved in the NCWA, and also what was then The British Knitting and Clothing Export Council. I have always wanted to give back in some way to the industry that has supported me throughout my working life, give back some of my experience and knowledge, and I have always been fortunate to work for companies that have allowed me to do that, and that continues to this day. My passion for the industry, the way in which we are treated, what we can do, how we can help people within the Childrenswear and Schoolwear industries has not diminished, and what has been built up at the SA is fantastic. I honestly do not believe that there is another Trade Association within the Clothing Industry with the enthusiasm, wherewithal, and determination of the Schoolwear Association. The work that is done by the members of the Executive and the Secretariat is astounding, I do not believe that that is replicated anywhere else in the clothing industry in the UK at present. So, a huge thank you is due to Donald and David our past Chairmen for their leadership, but also to the Executive that make up the team that make things happen at the SA. I know that we have a lot to do, but am 1000% confident that we have the right people to do the job, and do it well.”

Matthew Easter (Trutex), Christine Campbell (Pullens and Howard Brothers), and Marie Bradburn (Agent) also joined the Executive.

For further information: Linda Painter- The Schoolwear Association- 01400 250 477

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