Nigel Headford – CAB Chief Executive
With a stronger team and a new year ahead, the Council for Aluminium in Building has laid out its planned event support for members in a new document. Releasing this information towards the end of 2024 helps members plan their active year ahead and it is hoped more member company teams will be available to attend events. The brochure, available on the CAB website, was released at CAB’s Autumn Forum, held at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on 3rd October.
The Autumn Forum is the last of the main Members meetings of the year and chance for delegates to listen to topical speakers and to be able to network with other members. This years business forum was titled ‘Contemporary Façade Design and Delivery’ and included presentations from Ffion Lanchbury and Andrew Baker of Rio Architects, Oliver Bridge of Total Facade Solutions, along with the Q&A panel that included Andrew Lee of Bouygues, Liz Williams, Housing Delivery Specialist and Steve Bramhill of UL Solutions. With over 100 members and their guests in attendance, this year’s Autumn Forum proved to be a popular event.
As CAB moves into its fourth decade, the team decided that the events in 2025 should be reviewed, keeping the popular events, modifying others and introducing some new meetings.
2025 kicks off with the popular Spring Forum which is to take place at The Deep in Hull. The format will be a conference followed by an evening dinner and after-dinner speaker for Members and their guests. The Deep, situated overlooking the Humber estuary, is an educational and conservation charity that features an impressive Aquarium. It offers both formal and informal conservation education to a wide-ranging audience, aiming to inspire and engage. Committed to the highest standards of animal care and welfare, The Deep plays an active role in breeding programs and field conservation efforts.
Engaging with members and the wider trade sector sees CAB taking a stand at the FIT Show in April 2025. The stand will primarily serve as a networking and meeting area for Members and guests, providing an excellent opportunity to educate visitors about our CSCS Training and Closed Loop Recycling Schemes, as well as the advantages of joining the Association. The entire team will relocate to the NEC to address any enquiries that current and prospective members may have concerning CAB. For the first time, FIT is adopting post-event recycling and this initiative will be prominently displayed with our Closed Loop Recycling logos, ensuring that all visitors are aware of CAB’s commitment to sustainability.
CAB has recently initiated it’s membership drive in the home improvement sector, outlining the benefits of joining the Association and promoting product development based on one of the world’s most abundant metal, aluminium. Without aluminium, the advancements in engineering technology over the last century would simply not be possible. The membership drive explains the support services offered by the Association, but more importantly, it is about belonging to a ‘family’ where businesses meet and network, to the benefit of the whole Industry creating one voice for future change.
The team have decided to bring back the popular Technical Conference in May, last held in 2018. The event will return to Loughborough University which offers easy parking and excellent facilities for a day conference. A wide range of presentations will be delivered by industry experts which will provide comprehensive insights into the issues impacting the façade Industry. The CAB Technical Committee will oversee and organise this event to guarantee that the subjects addressed are pertinent and enlightening. This event is specifically for your technical teams, allowing them to engage in the Q&A sessions and networking opportunities during coffee breaks and lunch.
In a change to the yearly ‘Golf Day, AGM and Dinner’ midyear, CAB will be launching the ‘CABfest Golf Day & Festival’. Upon completing a round of golf or arriving later in the afternoon, Members and guests will be treated to an afternoon and evening filled with live music. To enhance the ambiance, a resident DJ will be present to keep the energy high while attendees savour a variety of street food, enjoy offerings from our CABfest bar, and indulge in a Pimm’s & Prosecco cart. The objective is to provide an event where Members can reward their teams, invite distinguished guests, or simply network with fellow members and attendees.
Replacing the Autumn Forum will be a series of Regional Workshops. These have been well attended in the past and will be held at locations in the North, Midlands and South. Attendance at these events will be complimentary, allowing Members the opportunity to engage with CAB whilst also enjoying some networking time over coffee and a bacon roll. Delegates can then return to the office for the afternoon. The primary purpose of these gatherings is to facilitate local interactions and keep Members informed about Industry developments and the development of the Association.
Completing the year, CAB will hold its popular AGM in October. The 31st Annual General Meeting will also mark CAB’s inaugural Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony, intended to honour membership and provide an opportunity to acknowledge your management teams or enjoy an entertaining evening with your partner. The event will feature after-dinner speakers, opportunities for engaging activities at the tables, and several surprises throughout the evening. Our Marketing Committee is committed to presenting a diverse array of awards, and importantly, the nomination process will be straightforward, eliminating lengthy forms. This will facilitate the recognition of those who have made significant contributions to promoting the use of Aluminium in the built environment.
More information about CAB’s 2025 events is available through the CAB website. It is important to recognise that an Association belongs to its Members and the more influence that Members can bring into the Association, the further it will grow. The CAB Board of Directors is committed to grow the Association and continue to increase value for membership. Should you wish to learn more about the use of Aluminium used in Construction, please contact CAB, join the Association and be recognised as being involved in supporting your Industry and helping to shape its future.
More information on our website at c-a-b.org.uk