The BPMA today
Some sixty years on, the sector was valued at £1-1.2bn at the start of 2020 and is a central aspect of UK’s creative and manufacturing industries, providing a recognised and effective medium.
Today, the BPMA serves to Inspire, Connect and Educate the industry. Committed to leading the sector, representing and supporting members, offering true competitive advantage through education and engagement.
The BPMA’s strategic objectives are centred around promoting the services and values of members to the End User audience through research and engagement. In turn, this develops understanding and appreciation of the value of promotional merchandise within the wider marketing community.
The BPMA enables meaningful connections through events, networking opportunities and introductions. Tangible support is offered by keeping members informed and advised on business legislation, opportunities, threats and relevant topical industry issues via forums, networks, communications and one-to-one guidance.
Recognition and development of its members is facilitated through a powerful education programme, enabling increased customer confidence by demonstrating they are trusted professionals, able to deliver compliant and effective promotional solutions.
In 2010 the total marketing spend in the UK was valued at £33billion, with the promotional merchandise industry valued at £750m, just 3% of the total marketing spend. Currently the promotional merchandise industry is valued at £1.2billion (figure correct as of February 2020) against a total advertising and marketing spend of £120bn+.
The industry aim is to achieve further growth through increased end user engagement, education, research and insight on the effectiveness, efficacy delivering the return-on-investment promotional merchandise can facilitate.
The BPMA will continue to raise standards of the industry through continued professional development, driving the UK as a centre of excellence for promotional products.