The SWA stages two key annual Events that are unique in the UK and present us with a real point of difference over other trade associations:

• The Annual Conference
• Scottish Wholesale Achievers

Conference

The SWA’s Annual Conference is a long-established date on the trade calendar which brings together wholesalers, suppliers and other key trade figures for a three-day event that offers a mix of heavyweight business sessions plus social programmes – culminating in our formal Annual Banquet.

Each year, the business programme attracts some of the industry’s highest-profile individuals and, from the wider business world, guest speakers including:

• World-renowned explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes OBE
• Karren Brady, managing director of Birmingham City Football Club
• International athlete Roger Black MBE
• Frank Dick OBE, ex-Olympics athletics coach
• Sir Matthew Pinsent CBE, Olympic gold medal-winning rower
• Michelle Mone OBE, award-winning business woman

The conference is very much a family affair where partners and children are most welcome. There is a special programme of activities for children.

Are you interested in being a sponsor at our 2011 Annual Conference? Please contact Kate Salmon to discuss the opportunities. The 2011 Conference will take place at Crieff Hydro from 17-19 June 2011.

Scottish Wholesale Achievers

Scottish Wholesale Achievers was established as recently as 2003 yet already it has become the most talked about trade awards scheme in the country.

Its main thrust is to encourage increased professionalism within the Scottish wholesale sector but also to engage supporting suppliers in the judging process to give them a better understanding of the industry and help them forge stronger and more useful relationships with individual wholesale businesses.

One of the unique aspects of Achievers is its feedback element. Feedback is made available to entrants throughout the judging period while a panel of experienced independent adjudicators scrutinise the judging procedure to ensure total transparency and an unbiased approach at all times.

In addition, there are three awards for suppliers – judged by all SWA Members:

• Project Scotland - a category for suppliers
• Best Overall Service
• Best Advertisement

The feedback is two-way, benefiting both wholesaler members and suppliers. Since launching Achievers, wholesalers have wholly embraced the opportunity to discuss with suppliers their comments and suggestions.

Similarly, the feedback given to the top suppliers on a monthly basis during the Best Overall Service judging period provides them with an invaluable opportunity to monitor their performance and improve it/change it where appropriate.

Scottish Wholesale Achievers will take place on Thursday, 10 February 2011. The venue is the Sheraton Grand Hotel, Edinburgh. Sponsorship opportunities for Achievers 2011 should be directed to Kate Salmon.

Achievers are run in partnership with Cash & Carry Management Incorporating Delivered Wholesaler. Contact publisher Martin Lovell for details.