Month: April 2014

BITA is a trade association for the UK interior textiles industry and it seeks to promote and safeguard the interests of its members, which range from large, well known brands, to small companies with only a few employees.

The product range supplied by members is vast and covers all aspects of the interiors industry from furnishing fabrics, readymade curtains, cushions, bedding to tracks and poles. BITA provides a range of services aimed at maximising business opportunities and strengthening the business environment in which members operate. Some of the key benefits are:

The Voice of the Textile Industry

• BITA speaks on behalf of its members to a wide range of organisations and membership of BITA means your views are heard!
• BITA is regularly consulted by Government
• BITA representatives sit on a number of technical committees to ensure the views of the industry are taken into account on areas such as standards (British, European and International standards) as well as the environment
• BITA is an active member of the UK Fashion and Textile Association (UKFT). Membership of this organisation means BITA members join over 2000 other companies in a very large and active trade body. UKFT talks on behalf of the whole textile and fashion pipeline, is very active in lobbying on behalf of the industry and provides an excellent network
• BITA members are able to attend seminars run by UKFT at discounted rates; recent seminars have covered topics such as Selling to Russia, An Introduction to Licencing, and the very popular How To Get Paid
• BITA members are also listed in ‘Sources’, the UKFT’s listing of its members which is distributed throughout the world

The BITA Forum

As BITA understands the power and importance of social media and above all communication with customers and potential partners, we created the BITA TRADE ONLY FORUM on Facebook.

A group entirely dedicated to giving people in the industry a place to have a chat about their business, promote their new collections or just to ask a question and get some help. We have 390+ members and that number is constantly growing with 50 joining since January 2014. We will keep working towards inviting new people to join. If you want to be part of it, click on the Facebook link embedded in the picture and make sure you have your company name on your profile. We want to keep it trade only for the privacy and convenience of all our members, both suppliers and trade customers.

The BITA Directory and Website (www.interiortextiles.co.uk)

The BITA online directory is an invaluable tool for both the BITA members and anyone wanting to connect with them. We have a complete profile of each company that is part of the association and we give potential customers a great opportunity to navigate their way to the right supplier. The website receives a large number of visits even from overseas and provides a searchable database of members’ products. Listing on the BITA website is free for all BITA members.

The BITA Newsletter

Issued quarterly, the Newsletter is full of information that is relevant to your business. From sector specific information to funding opportunities from Brussels, from the latest government training opportunities to upcoming seminars.

The BITA Showcase

The very popular BITA Showcases provide a fantastic and economical way for BITA members to see their existing customers and meet new ones.

BITA was delighted to celebrate its 75^th one day show during the 12^th Showcase tour in 6 years in September 2013!

Over 45 Fabulous Brands of Furnishing Fabrics, Curtains, Blinds, Poles, Trimmings, Cushions, Wallpapers, Bedlinen and other Accessories are exhibited at the shows. This is what our visitors are also enjoying:

• Free Entry
  
• Free Parking (except London)
  
• Free Tea and Coffee All Day
  
• Complimentary Buffet Lunch or Canapés at all venues
  
• Complimentary tickets to our Curtain Making Masterclass

The BITA Showcases continue to grow in popularity and gain more visitor interest year after year. The last showcase that took place in the beautiful Chelsea Harbour, at the 5* Wyndham Grand Hotel in London on 9^th and 10^th of March 2014, was the most successful one we had to date with over 300 companies walking through the doors. Our Autumn roadshow will be starting on the 9^th of September and we will be going across the UK, in East Anglia, South West, Midlands, North West, North East and spend the last two days in London.

For regular updates, you can get in touch with BITA. For more pictures of the showcases, exhibitors’ collections you can also find us on.

NB: Non-members pay 15% surcharge to exhibit with us!

Promoting Design Talent

BITA organises the Emerging Talent Award annually to recognise the wealth of design talent in the UK. The competition is open to all undergraduates, or those who have graduated in the past three years.

Hundreds of entries are received each year and are judged by leading directors from the industry. The winning entry plus the runners up are displayed during the Autumn BITA Showcase.

In 2013 FIRST PRIZE of £1000 and a week’s work experience placement in the design studio at PRESTIGIOUS TEXTILES, one of the UK’s TOP furnishing brands, was awarded to Natalie Radcliff.

BITA Membership Fees

Turnover             Subscription          Inc. of 20% VAT

Up to £500,000          £135.00            £162.00
£500k – £1 million    £195.00            £234.00
£1 – 2 million              £255.00            £306.00
£2 –3 million               £440.00            £528.00
£3 – 5 million              £515.00            £618.00
£5 – 10 million           £665.00            £798.00
Over £10 million       £700.00            £840.00
Associate                      £135.00            £162.00

The BITA Marketing Manager is always on hand to answer any queries and if you wish to discuss the benefits of membership further.

Contact: Violeta Petrova

Address: BITA, 134 Dunthorne Way, Milton Keynes, MK8 0LW

Telephone number: 01908 410598 / ext.5

Follow this blog for more details on BITA to come!