SDEA President and Vice President Re-Elected For Second Term

Paul Smart and Mark Chatterton

(PRESS RELEASE) On 19th May members logged on to take part in the Virtual 74th Annual General Meeting of the Shop & Display Equipment Association. Attendees heard about the hard work that had been undertaken over the past year plus all the support given to SDEA members, as well as the exciting plans for the year ahead. These include the SDEA app and the launch of the association’s latest technological initiative: Creative Virtual Showcases.

During the day’s proceedings Executive Council elections were carried out with Paul Smart, business development director at arken P-O-P International being voted president of the association for a second term and Mark Chatterton, managing director of Morplan was re-elected vice president.

The president opened his report with a reminder of how tough the past year has been for the industry: “What a difficult year for the SDEA and for most of us in the display industry, in particular those who work in retail, leisure and hospitality sectors. Keeping our heads above water has been the name of the game.”

With the SDEA due to hold the new meet-the-buyer event Creative Design & Display Connections on 23rd September and The Creative Retail Awards on 14th October, the president closed his report with a confident outlook: “On a personal note with the 21st June on the horizon I’m very optimistic and positive about the remainder of the year.”

Chris Shoebottom, sales director of Stylo joined the Executive Council this year and joins existing Executive Council members:

• Ronald Cohen, chairman of Foxbarn Ltd,
• Bob Garton, managing director of Glencourt Associates Ltd,
• Nick Wraith, managing director of Unibox.

The Executive Council will work together over the coming months bringing fresh ideas and inspiration, securing the future growth of this highly valued organization.