Office Power hosts first live event in 18 months

On July 22 2021, over thirty dealers and industry leaders attended the 20s Revival Forum hosted in Birmingham by Office Power, a leading technology and services provider for office supplies dealers

Despite planning an event during an incredibly uncertain time, with changing guidelines and specific safety measures to follow, the 20s Revival Forum was a roaring success. Attendees commented on how much they thoroughly enjoyed the event, how well organised it was and how they found the sessions informative and engaging.

With a running theme of navigating their business in uncertain times, the 20s Revival Forum was brimming with industry insights, interactive sessions, practical workshops, and a lively panel debate. All sessions focused on the current challenges the office supplies industry faces and how strategic planning can help ensure the next chapter for dealer businesses is the Roaring 2020s, not the Great Depression.

The Forum started with an examination of how various economic and sociological scenarios might play out over the next few years—followed by an evaluation of how the pandemic expedited the digital transformation for many businesses. Then, by exploring how the pandemic has affected multiple industries, dealers were presented with data insights and expert advice on how the office supplies industry can take advantage of emerging trends and technology. 

The second half of the day welcomed an expert panel of industry leaders from companies that included Acco Brands, Exertis Supplies, Office Depot, and UKOS. A meaningful debate followed, with dealers exchanging their views with the panel on how Covid-19 has rewritten the future of the office supplies industry and the dealer channel.

Bringing the event to a close – strategy planning expert Chris Paton from Quick Solutions lead a highly interactive, fun, and experiential workshop. A former Lieutenant Colonel in the Royal Marines and advisor to the Cabinet and National Security Council on the Afghan strategy, Chris shared invaluable techniques and tools on how business leaders can strategically plan through disasters.

Following on from the success of the 20s Revival Forum, Office Power will be hosting a virtual conference on the 5th of October.

Office Power CEO Simon Drakeford said: “The 20s Revival Forum has been a great success! And we’re incredibly appreciative that delegates were able to spend the day learning new business techniques whilst meeting some old and new acquaintances. As we anticipated a fair number of dealers wouldn’t be able to attend, we will be hosting a virtual conference so that dealers can still benefit from the resources and advice delivered on the day.”

Commercial director Tom Rae from Cosmos said: “I think we got a lot out of today’s sessions, and it was really helpful in that regard. If this was recommended to us, we’d definitely attend it again.”

Another delegate, company director Craig Burtlon from Moorside Office Ltd, said: “It was a really insightful day with some great content. I’d highly recommend it. Any invitation moving forward is well worth taking.”