ECI Spruce team attends the BMF All Industry Conference in Istanbul

ECI are proud to have sponsored this year’s BMF All Industry Conference. For the first time, the BMF Conference took place on two continents and yet remained in a single fascinating city, Istanbul which for centuries has provided a strategic link between Europe and Asia.

Chris Fisher, Chris Aitken, Lauren Harrison and Alexandra Ahlfield from the ECI team attended the 3-day event which was packed with keynote speakers, workshops and panel discussions. Our Chief Technology Officer, Brian Winters, along with “pickpocket” entertainer James Freedman, delivered a thought-provoking, if not slightly terrifying workshop on the genuine dangers posed by ransomware and cybercrime.

Reflecting on the event, ECI’s customer relationship manager, Lauren Harrison summarised that “All the speakers & entertainers throughout the entire event were brilliant and Ollie Ollerton’s presentation was particularly inspiring. I am genuinely so grateful to be part of an industry that is kind-hearted, charitable, innovative, collaborative and encourages diversity, all whilst having a bit of fun with the best people!”

After landing back in the UK, ECI’s solution consultant, Chris Aitken also spoke highly about the event saying “Wow! Just WOW! What an unbelievable few days at the Swissôtel The Bosphorus, Istanbul for the Builders Merchants Federation Ltd conference.

Not enough superlatives to describe what a brilliant event this was! Fantastic host, great speakers, and stunning venues.

I consider myself incredibly lucky to be part of a great company that fully embraces an industry focused on fostering collaboration, support, investment in great causes and, as James Mitchell aptly put it, a genuine sense of family. The theme of "Creating Connections" was fully embraced by everyone we had the pleasure of speaking to regardless of whether they were customers, prospects, suppliers or competitors.”

Alexandra Ahlfield was "particularly impressed with the Young Merchant Forum’s local impact in aims of attracting, engaging and retaining young leaders in the building sector. With a massive baby boomer retirement wave and handing businesses over to millennials and Gen X, the need to bridge the gap in technology solutions for antiquated business operation workflows is great and the younger market can help. BMF is at the forefront of protecting their members to bridge this gap and clearly has its finger on the pulse of the industry’s current pressing needs”.

Thank you to the BMF for hosting such an informative event which we were so honoured to be a key part of.

The Spruce team is now looking ahead to exhibiting and seeing customers and suppliers at the BMF Conference & Awards in Birmingham on 20-21 September 2023.

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