Nearly 450 GGF members logged in to make the organisation’s first ever Virtual Member’s Week one of the busiest ever.
GGF president Mark Austin summed it up: “The whole week of events was very impressive with perhaps the Brexit 2021 debate the most outstanding. The speakers the GGF garnered for the Members’ Week events were second to none in their given fields and I am sure all members who attended found the presentations relevant for their business.
“Of course, I would much rather have seen a physical GGF annual conference but in the circumstances, the quality of the virtual events proved to be the next best thing. I’d like to thank the GGF Staff for organising, the scores of GGF Members for attending and also the guest speakers and panellists who contributed to a truly exceptional event.”
The GGF reports: “Members’ Week started with GGF President Mark Austin’s welcoming speech in which he thanked Members for attending and in particular, the Chairs of the GGF technical groups, committees and regions for their contribution to the GGF against a very challenging trading environment.
“Following the Annual General Meeting and re-election of the GGF’s bankers and auditors, a Summary of Proposals was presented by John Agnew with an update on the progress of the work from the Chairperson’s Forum held in February this year and the subsequent Strategic Working Group, which was formed in July to follow up on the issues raised by the Chairs of the GGF’s technical groups, committees, regions and countries.
“Members’ Week featured guest speakers such as; Professor Noble Francis, one of the construction industry’s leading economists, The Rt. Hon. David Laws (former Cabinet Minister and Political Consultant), Dave Dalton, (Chief Executive of British Glass), Jeff May (Director of Government Relations of the Construction Products Association) and Graham Hansell (Director of SLX Marketing and Digital Course Director for the Chartered Institute of Marketing).
“Industry specific speakers included; Mark Barsby (BSI Group), Sharon Alderton (Total Support Training) and Sanmukh Bawa (G-SMATT Europe).
“In addition the GGF also had expert panellists during their health and safety, environment and training webinars.
“The topics covered included;
- The economy – status and potential scenarios
- Brexit 2021 – The end of the Transition Period
- CE marking and the new UKCA mark guidance
- Product substitution and standardisation
- Media glass technology
- Digital marketing and business growth
- Health and safety in a new and very different norm
- Training in the industry
- The environmental factors industry must consider
- Research and Development and tax relief”
James Lee, GGF Director of External Affairs, who organised and marketed the events said: “The relevant content and the high level of speakers/panellists combined with the latest digital technology enabled the GGF to deliver a superb ground-breaking week of high quality online events. We tried to put on a programme over the three days that would have something for every member regardless of size, status, sector and location. From the feedback so far, it appears Members found the virtual events engaging, informative and interesting. It’s been a great success.”
Managing Director John Agnew, GGF who also presented on the GGF’s operations and strategies concluded: “The pandemic forced the GGF to cancel its traditional Members’ Day and we had to think laterally as health and safety has to come first. I was delighted with the virtual events of Members’ Week and the feedback we have received has been nothing but positive. This was another first, not only for the GGF but also for our industry.”
