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Two successful events go back-to-back
Last week the old met with the new, as PetroForum and the Fuel Distribution Forum went back-to-back in Marbella. PetroForum, now an established event, led the way, opening with a lively panel debate under the watchful eye of Brian Madderson from RMI Petrol. Two days later saw the launch of the Fuel Distribution Forum – the first opportunity for this sector to experience OpenRoom’s unique speed-meeting format.
On day one of the PetroForum, the panel debates produced some animated discussions on Biofuels and the VOA’s rates review – with vocal panellist and audience members alike. The following day, some 40 retailers took to their seats with strong representation from the Top 50 Independents, including Euro Garages, MRH, Park Garage Group, Snax 24, Motor Fuel Group, MPK, Spring Petroleum and Hockenhull. Topaz Energy – Ireland’s leading petroleum retailer – attended for the first time, alongside the formidable Petrogas Group. Suppliers covered the entire range of fuel and non-fuel activities on the forecourt, giving retailers a 360° view of their business.
Fuel Distribution Forum kicked off with five conference presentations, chaired by Rod Prowse of Marathon Associates who provided an insight into the market, tracking the changing landscape from the 1990’s to today. Presentations from Mark Rolph of Mabanaft and Joost Korver of Argus Media expanded on the theme with insights into the challenges that face the UK and the rest of European market. As with PetroForum, Biofuels was a hot topic – this time, led by Mat Stone of Argus Media who offered up an insight into the complex issue of benchmark pricing.
The two days of meetings proved to be a resounding success – summed up in the words of Jason Rogers of BWOC: “We all live in a world where we tend to communicate via email, or text. What this event has offered is 20 quality meetings with suppliers in a one to one format, from which we can decide very quickly if what they can offer has some benefit to our business. I’ve come away having made some real good contacts (and friends), which hopefully I can now build on”.
Both events offered plenty of opportunities to network, catch up with old colleagues and continue the discussions started around the meeting table. With seated lunches on the terrace, cocktail receptions, gala dinners at the breezy Beach Club and at some fantastically competitive football and volleyball matches – it was a golden opportunity to get to know the entire group.
A big thank-you should go to the sponsors for both events: to Dresser Wayne for sponsoring the PetroForum Golf tournament, to ELAFLEX for sponsoring the refreshment breaks at Fuel Distribution Forum and to Touchstar for sponsoring the Gala dinner at the Don Carlos beach club.
If you would like to see more about PetroForum please click here
If you would like to see more about Fuel Distribution Forum please click here
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Alex Russell, Managing Director, SmartAxess
OpenRoom runs a global portfolio of B2B forums and its business model is built around the success of combining networking with focused, pre-matched appointments.
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