OPERATIONS UPDATE

SUPPORTING ASFP GROWTH

Mike Ward looks back on operations over the last six months and forward to the rest of the year.

ASFP continues to grow its management support relationship with the British Coatings Federation, this culminated at the end of 2021 in new dual signage being installed on and around the headquarters building.

The team have been working extremely hard on delivering the new Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system, website and store. This has been no simple task as those of you who have gone through the pain of installing such systems while maintaining day-to-day operations can appreciate. Notwithstanding this the team is fully aware of the benefits it will bring to membership.

The beginning of 2022 saw the meeting rooms come alive again, hybrid meetings seem to be the new working from home, and it was great to see members that could make it to Coventry. The rooms have also been used for training, with Siderise and a series of training days with members of the Checkmate team all taking advantage of the excellent facilities.

People

Since the last edition of Ignite, the ASFP team has increased by an additional member. Lauren Smith joins the ASFP as Operations Administrator supporting all the new events we’re developing, plus maintaining the quality of our CRM data.

Lauren joins the ASFP having spent the last seven months working for British Coatings Federation covering maternity leave and assisting with the implementation of their CRM system (which is the same system as ASFP).

Also, the ASFP is very pleased to announce that Tom Gilbert, Head of Fire Safety at Lendlease has joined the ASFP Board as a non-Executive member. The Executive Board, Council and management team are very much looking forward to working with Tom and the added value his experience will bring the association.

Marketing and Events

The most significant development this year to date is the launch of the new ASFP CRM and website. The CRM will enable the ASFP to have a far broader but more focused reach in terms of its voice and those we wish to engage with.

ASFPTV has also continued to grow and develop by way of followers and views. At the beginning of this year an investment was made to support the launch of the association’s new podcast series, the Sparking Interest Podcast, which is designed to complement the Meet the Member and Sparking Interest series.

The channel will be covering all trade shows, ASFP regional and all other live events via the ASFPTV series and Sparking Interest; Sparking Interest will also continue to update on standards and regulations that affect the passive fire industry; the Meet the Member series will continue to promote ASFP members to the wider industry; a series of new podcasts will update on ASFP’s competency and training initiatives as well as the new member benefit, ASFP HUB, and finally significant events relating to the passive fire industry.

In February, the newly formed ASFP Marketing Group had its first meeting chaired by David Roulstone of Etex, more information on this will be provided in the next issue of Ignite.

The Association held its first technical regional event since early 2019 at Warwick Racecourse. Although not one of ASFP’s usual venues, all delegate and exhibitor places sold out in only a couple of weeks. Presentations from ASFP officers, members and third parties gave a broad overview of current and future developments in passive fire.

Further regional events will be announced for 2022, including the possible reintroduction of the event at the Aviva headquarters in London which proved popular with London-based influencers and stakeholders.

During 2022, the ASFP has committed to the following trade shows:

• Fire Safety Event • The FIT Show • Firex International • London Build Birmingham NEC Birmingham NEC London Excel London Olympia 5 - 7 April 10 - 12 May 17 - 19 May 16 - 17 November

At the Fire Safety Event and Firex, the ASFP will be operating its usual pavilion, surrounded by its exhibiting members, plus a theatre and learning zones to support the continuation of improving knowledge and standards. More information of all events and trade shows can be found on pages 12-21.

If you are interested in exhibiting at any of the trade shows or events that ASFP supports then please enquire at info@asfp.org.uk