This year’s National Buying Group (NBG) Conference was held in Liverpool and was a two-day event of exhibitions, talks, networking, and celebrating the last year of NBG.

The whole conference was focused on the importance of building successful brands with the title: Bigger, Bolder, Better. During the two days £12,180.10 was raised for charity, with over £5,000 of that raised just during the Gala Dinner.

On Monday, the day started with a Supplier vs Members football match that ended with a 2:2 draw. After this, the brands went to the Supplier Summit, which was followed by the New Product Showcase where each supplier had less than a minute each to introduce their brands and new products.

After the members only AGM, the conference went to a converted warehouse to enjoy the NBG festival of music with artists and tribute bands played while street food was served for dinner.

During the second day the exhibition hall was open so merchants and suppliers could network and place orders. To finish off the conference was the Gala Dinner and awards, which was held in the surroundings of Liverpool Cathedral.

As well as awards for suppliers in each of NBG’s eight product categories, prizes were also given to the Brand of the Year and Account Manager of the Year, voted for by NBG Partners. Brand of the Year 2017 is TI Midwood with OX Group and Knauf Insulation finishing second and third. John Gaunt of Knauf insulation scooped the Account manager of the Year title once again, with Simon Rance (TI Midwood) and Guy Best (Arbor Forest Products) as second and third placed.

NBG Brand of the Year

1st: TI Midwood & Co Ltd

2nd: OX Group

3rd: Knauf Insulation

NBG Account Manager of the Year

1st: John Gaunt: Knauf Insulation

2nd: Simon Rance: TI Midwood & Co Ltd

3rd: Guy Best: Arbor Forest Products

Brick & Block Supplier of the Year

1st: Wienerberger Ltd

2nd: H+H K Ltd – Celcon

3rd: Quinn Building Products Ltd

Civils & Landscaping Supplier of the Year

1st: Pavestone (UK) Ltd

2nd: Clark Drain Ltd

3rd: Aggregate Industries - Bradstone & Charcon

Decorating & Hardware Supplier of the Year

1st: TI Midwood & Co Ltd

2nd: Tembe DIY Products Ltd

3rd: ITW Construction Products

General Build Supplier of the Year

1st: Long Rake Spar Co Ltd

2nd: Everbuild Building Products Ltd

3rd: Keystone Lintels Ltd

Plumbing, Heating & Showrooms Supplier of the Year

1st: Ariston Thermo UK Ltd

2nd: Kartell Ltd

3rd: Eastbrook Company

Roofing & Insulation Supplier of the Year

1st: Knauf Insulation Ltd

2nd: Slatescape Ltd

3rd: Easy-Trim Roofing & Construction Products Ltd

Timber Supplier of the Year

1st: MDM Timber Ltd

2nd: Taylor Maxwell & Co Ltd

3rd: Unilin Distribution Ltd

Tools & Workwear Supplier of the Year

1st: Toolbank Ltd

2nd: Dickies UK Ltd

3rd: OX Group