The British Promotional Merchandise Association (BPMA) has announced that it is moving its annual awards dinner to the Trade Only National Show from January 2009.

The event, which previously has taken place at the BPMA Christmas lunch in December, will be in the Eon Lounge at the Ricoh Arena, Coventry on the evening of January 28.

The Trade Only National Show, which attracts about 200 suppliers, is organised by Trade Only exclusively for distributors of promotional merchandise. It competes with the PROMOTA Show that takes place on February 17 and 18 and is organised by PROMOTA, the trade association for manufacturers, distributors and suppliers of promotional merchandise.

Gordon Glenister, director general of the BPMA, said: “We have been looking now for some time at the idea of an evening dinner, given that we have extended the categories this year. We are delighted that Trade Only have agreed to let us host our event at what is the biggest industry event of the year, and we are delighted with their sponsorship of the evening.”

The move is in line with the BPMA’s efforts to highlight that it represents all sections of the promotional merchandise industry, and not just those supplying end users. In June, members of PROMOTA rebuffed a merger approach from the BPMA.

Nigel Bailey, supplier services director for Trade Only, said: “With the Trade Only National Show bringing together over 2,000 people in a two-day extravaganza, we are delighted to welcome all BPMA members to the show as part of the ‘must attend’ networking event of the year together.”

Nominations for the awards will open in September and further details and information on ticket sales will be announced soon.

The BPMA’s Entrepreneur of the Industry Award, which was previously announced at the same time as the BPMA Awards, will still be presented at the Christmas lunch at The Tower on December 17.

Val Mumby and John Starr of Clareville Communications are pictured at last December’s BPMA Awards collecting the award for Company of the Year.