In the run-up to the BMF’s 50th anniversary next year, ‘yes we can, indeed we must’, perhaps best sums up the underlying message from this year’s British Motorcyclists Federation’s Annual General Meeting.
Held in Tuddenham, Norfolk, in the BMF’s Eastern Region, members and delegates from BMF clubs heard that while the BMF’s lobbying work was highly regarded and the BMF still had a reputation to be proud of, membership, in line with that of many other membership organisations, was falling and so therefore was its income.
The BMF’s portfolio of shows and events, although continuing to produce a profit, had not reached their projected figures either and this had only compounded the situation said Anna Zee, the BMF’s chairman.
Addressing the latter, Martin Chick, the MD of the Mulberry Group, the BMF’s new event contractor, said that the BMF had a powerful brand but it was not being used to its best advantage. “As a motorcyclist, my passion for and love of motorcycling will be very much at the forefront of the Mulberry Group’s approach to BMF events. I know what motorcycling means to people and I know what makes a good event, but equally, I want to improve the image of the BMF and we’ll help to do that by delivering on our promises.”
BMF Chairman Anna Zee agreed and in thanking the BMF’s outgoing event contractors, Live Promotions, said that they had come in three years ago at a very difficult time for the BMF but now the BMF was looking to improve its own performance too and considered that Mulberry had much to offer as a partner in this mission.
On a similar theme, Dorian Burrows of the BMF’s Marketing Committee stressed the need for broadening the BMF’s appeal. Communication was key to involving existing members and reaching out to all motorcyclists he said, but the message had to be right and it had to be relevant to today’s more informed motorcyclists.
As a way of streamlining BMF operations, the meeting was told that the posts of Affiliate Member Services and Individual Member Services had been amalgamated into one and that a separate post of Events Director had therefore been created. Pete Laidlaw was duly elected to the new post of Member Services Director and Tony Young was elected to the new post of Events Director. The post of chairman was uncontested with Anna Zee being elected for another year.
A new post from Bob, our local BMF bod….
The British Motorcyclists Federation have appointed event specialists, the Mulberry Group, as organisers of the BMF’s range of popular motorcycle events.
Starting as from 1st October 2009, the Mulberry Group will take over the organisation of BMF events from Live Promotions, the BMF’s event contractors since 2007.
BMF Chairman Anna Zee said: “Outsourcing our events back in 2007 was a big move for us and our thanks go to Live Promotions for coming in at a very difficult time for the BMF, but now, after a through review of our requirements, we want to further develop our unique range of events and have decided that the Mulberry Group, (no ‘Here We Go Round The Mulberry Bush’ jokes thank you!), under their Managing Director Martin Chick, himself a keen motorcyclist, are the people to do that.”
For the Mulberry Group, Kawasaki ZZR1400 riding MD, Martin Chick, a motorcyclist for over 30 years, said that he intends to be very hands-on and while he already has several ideas for improvements, wants to undertake a thorough and joint review before implementing any changes.
“We are delighted to have been chosen to manage the BMF events and we look forward to the challenges this will bring,” said Martin. “My passion for and love of motorcycling will be very much at the forefront of the Mulberry Group’s approach to the BMF events. “We want to review the entire make-up of the shows, including the sponsorship and exhibitor packages, and intend to create some new and innovative changes which we are confident that both members and the public will benefit from”
Overall responsibility for the shows will rest with Martin Chick with day to day matters being dealt with by the Mulberry events team in conjunction with the BMF’s Assistant Events Manager, Jane Longthorn.
Contact details:
Public enquiries to the BMF on: 0116 279 5111 or enquiry@bmf.co.uk