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The Blind Manufacturers’ Association of Australia’s Annual General Meeting and Members General Meeting were held on 19th November. As with most meetings in the past 18 months, members were not able to meet in person as our meetings have been impacted by Covid-19 restrictions and border closures. Fortunately we have access to technology platforms and we have embraced Zoom, although missing the camaraderie and networking that was a feature of face-to-face meetings in the past.
A number of presentations were made at the meeting highlighting the issues that are being handled by the Board of Directors on behalf of members and the industry, e.g. a comprehensive report on the National Construction Code – fire regulations including the work that BMAA has undertaken with a fire engineer; an update on the BMAA’s energy rating program for window coverings and outdoor shading; our lobbying efforts in relation to licensing requirements and the size of awnings; and a report on the activities associated with our strategic plan and our future direction. Copy of the presentations are available to all BMAA members. Should you wish to join BMAA, please contact our office by email: [email protected].
Sadly the industry’s biggest international trade show, R+T, scheduled for February 2022 in Stuttgart, Germany, was postponed to 2024. The postponement was as a result of external conditions, mainly the COVID-19 pandemic which saw cancellations by many exhibitors, especially notable companies, the increasing travel limitations and restrictions for international visitors. The next R+T will be held from 19 – 23 February 2024. Our SuperExpo was also postponed, and the next show will be held from 7 – 9 June 2023.
Working closely with our training partner The Frontline Group, the BMAA Board is pleased that training continues to expand across our industry in sales, production and installation. We encourage our members and the industry in general to take advantage of the government subsidies that remain available for a limited time, and of the flexibility of the program’s content and delivery. Putting a training program in place designed by our industry and for our industry has been a long term goal of the BMAA and we are pleased to endorse the program, details of which are outlined in the Ask the Expert section of this edition of WFM.
Spring/Summer 2021 has been an extremely busy time, even more so than in past years as a result of the challenges we have all faced due to the supply chain crisis. January should see us refreshed and relaxed after the Christmas/New Year break and looking forward to a successful 2022.
