250 delegates from the DIY, garden and housewares sector as well as members of the media are set to attend the BHETA Networking Forum on November 3. Lead speaker is Bunnings UK and Ireland managing director PJ Davis, who is making the first public presentation of the UK Bunnings business since its acquisition of Homebase earlier this year.
In his presentation, Mr Davis is set to reflect on the initiatives, changes and progress of the business since the acquisition and shed light on the strategy and future roll out of Bunnings stores, setting out what the business stands for in the UK and the opportunities for suppliers.
Also scheduled for the Forum is CBI (Confederation of British Industry) deputy director general Josh Hardie, who will be exploring what the DIY and garden market might look like in post-Brexit Britain. His presentation will also include the wider perspective on the issues that face UK PLC based on an overview of the CBI’s ninety thousand members.
Victoria Neuhofer from FN Neuhofer HOLZ of Austria will reprise her closing speech from this year’s Global DIY Summit in Stockholm, presenting a compelling case for the need to grasp the digital and online nettle to 
talk to the DIY and garden customers of tomorrow, questioning how many supplier companies are fully ready to do so.
Continuing the technology theme, Insight Retail Group managing director Steve Collinge will present on the ‘4th Industrial Revolution’ and how breakthroughs in fields such as artificial intelligence, the internet of things, supply chain innovation and 3D printing are likely to transform the future of the industry.
The Forum will close with a moderated Q&A panel session.
The event is open to members and non-members at a cost of £45 and £95 respectively. It will take place at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry, with the event starting at 10am with registration from 9.30am.
Applications to attend the forum should be made to sh@bheta.co.uk or the Member Services team on 0121 237 1130.
