Working together to seize opportunities and offset challenges was the theme of the Electrical Distributors’ Association (EDA) inaugural large-scale one-day conference – under the banner of Power It Up – held on Wed 16 November in Edgbaston. Power It Up brought together senior business leaders from the electrotechnical supply chain – manufacturers, wholesalers, and contractors – for presentations, panel discussions and networking.
Power It Up Conference attracts over 170 manufacturer, wholesaler, and contractor delegates
November 18, 2022
EDA’s inaugural conference, Power It Up, shares a vision of the future
Scroll down this page to find all the presentations available to download
International speaker programme
The Power It Up conference attracted over 170 delegates from across the supply chain and related trade associations including the ECA, BEAMA and the British Cables Association (BCA).
EDA President, Chris Ashworth and EDA CEO, Margaret Fitzsimons, opened the conference, and the keynote address was given by B2B business strategist Ian Heller, who flew into the UK from his base in Colorado, USA specifically to address the conference on the topic of ‘Changing supply channel – the shift to online: threats and opportunities’.
A programme of high calibre speakers included Professor Noble Francis, Economics Director at the Construction Products Association who gave delegates the forecasts for construction sector for the months ahead. Each keynote presentation was followed by facilitated Panel discussions with senior figures from the wider construction industry who brought additional insight and new perspectives to their expert subjects.
Supply chain collaboration
Margaret Fitzsimons, EDA CEO, said “We are absolutely delighted with the response to Power It Up. It has provided the ideal opportunity to boost collaboration between the businesses along the three-step electrotechnical supply chain – manufacturers, wholesalers and contractors – and their trade associations, to discuss at a strategic level how we can work together to take full advantage of the move to electrification.
“The demand for tickets was huge, so much so that we had a waiting list in operation.”
The conference was made possible by the support of sponsorship from EDA wholesaler and manufacturer businesses.
The day conference was followed by an evening networking drinks reception and dinner, where the entertainment was provided by award-winning comedian and writer Dominic Holland.
Throughout the day, the new EDA Events App was used to enable delegates to pose questions and comment on the presentations as well as vote, rate presentations, enter competitions and, most importantly, to make connections with other delegates.
Raising over £2,000 for the Electrical Industries Charity
More photos coming soon - please bear with us...
With thanks to our sponsors
Morning coffee was sponsored the The IBA Buying Group
Follow the links to download the presentations
Construction industry economic forecast
Speaker: Professor Noble Francis, Economics Director, Construction Products Association (CPA)
Opportunities through electrification: what do contractors expect from the supply chain?
Speakers: Rob Driscoll and Luke Osborne, ECA
Attracting and retaining talent to future proof your business
Speakers: Ian Heptonstall, Supply Chain Sustainability School and Stephen Cole, Construction Industry Training Board (CITB)
To find out more about the Fairness Inclusion and Respect Programme.
The future of EDA training
Speaker: Tracy Hewett, Head of Education and Training, EDA
During 2023 the award-winning EDA Product Knowledge Modules will be offered via digital platform. Here are some samples of the type of content and the tutors you’ll meet in the training.
Introduction to the Principles of Electricity: Electric Current
Lighting Introduction: Fundamentals of Lighting
Distribution Switchgear and Protection: Distribution of Electricity
Customer Service: The 80:20 Rule of Stock and Sales
Pricing for Profit: harness the 5 key drivers of profit and transform your bottom line
Speaker: Peter Hill, Chartered and Certified Accountant, Mark Holt & Co.
For a copy of the spreadsheet that accompanies Peter’s presentation please call the EDA on 020 3141 7350.
Changing supply channel – the shift to online – threats and opportunities
KEYNOTE Speaker: Ian Heller, Co-Founder & Chief Strategy Officer, Distribution Strategy Group, Boulder, Colorado, USA
