Gill Stirk, Client Manager for CNITA gives details of the first ever Meet the Buyer event for the CNITA.
The Chart and Nautical Instrument Trade Association (CNITA) celebrated its 100th anniversary this year, at the Royal Station Hotel in Newcastle, back where it all began in 1918. CNITA Members marked the milestone with a dinner on the 13th June followed by a Meet the Buyer event the following day.
The celebration dinner was much enjoyed by all. In addition to existing CNITA members, the dinner was attended by honorary CNITA members and guests. A special commemorative centenary gift of a magnifying glass on an engraved plinth was presented and gratefully received by each of the member companies that attended, reminding them of the association’s roots.
The success of the dinner was followed by a full day of meetings scheduled between 15 supplier companies and 14 buyer (member) companies. Feedback on the day cited a well organised and incredibly useful event from both a buyer and supplier perspective. The Meet the Buyer “speed dating” format was an opportunity for many members to meet with suppliers face to face for the first time despite dealing with them with for many years. Meetings reinforced and enhanced their continued working relationships as well as identifying with some potential new suppliers.
The success of the event was backed up by the results of the bespoke survey circulated to the buyers and suppliers which was circulated after the event.