NIA Conference 2018 – Adapting for the Future

The National Insulation Association's (NIA) Annual Conference, Exhibition and Black-Tie Gala Dinner will take place on Thursday 6th December 2018 at the Jury’s Inn Hinckley Island Hotel, Leicestershire. The event which is now in its 10^th year is firmly established in the calendar as a key event for the insulation and construction industries. 

The event will be attended by delegates from the insulation industry, Energy Companies, Government officials, Local Authorities, Housing Associations and stakeholders who the NIA works closely with.

There are several ways companies and individuals can still get involved in this important and informative event:

• Delegate Places – NIA members receive 1 FREE delegate place and members can book additional places for Day and Evening sessions at just starting at just £75 or £150 plus VAT for both.  Please note - Deadline to book 29th November – click HERE to book your place
• Guest and non-members welcome
• Discounted Accommodation - £90 per room (includes use of pool and full leisure facilities)
• Dinner Tables - tables of 10 at the black-tie gala dinner to entertain staff, clients or potential clients are £995 plus VAT.  Booking a table not only includes the evening session but also 10 Delegate spaces for during the day at our conference, the company name on the table, pre-dinner drinks reception, reserved seating and 4 course meal with complimentary wine. This year’s entertainment after dinner will be a fully themed Race Evening and the events company will structure the event to enable individual and table participation.  Therefore, by booking a table companies will be able to enjoy a fully participative and interactive evening with their guests.
• Click HERE for the full agenda

The insulation industry and wider construction industry is currently going through a period of significant change and therefore this year’s conference theme - ADAPTING for the FUTURE - will focus on providing delegates with details of the key areas of change to help with business planning and the opportunities presented which are significant. 

Neil Marshall Chief Executive of the NIA commented: “In the morning members will be provided with information on the NIA’s plans for 2019, the new NIA Board and opportunities for members to get involved; opportunities arising from Government policies, programmes and funded schemes in England, Scotland and Wales and the implications for the insulation industry from the Hackitt Review and new Trustmark Quality Mark.

“The afternoon will kick off with details of the opportunities for insulation through adopting a Passivhaus approach.  And brand new for this year, delegates will then be divided into smaller groups to hear about and discuss key topics in breakout sessions including; the growing claims culture; increasing uptake of professionally installed insulation in new build and the opportunities to gain competitive advantage via adoption of the Quality Mark.

The event will include a number of high-profile external speakers including:

• Stuart Chapman, Department of Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy.
• Ed Chapman, Scottish Government.
• Stephen Chamberlain, Welsh Government
• Claire Curtis-Thomas, CEO of the BBA
• Simon Ayers, CEO of Trustmark.
• Alan Budden, Managing Director, Architect & Certified European Passive House Designer.

“It certainly promises to be an interesting, informative and enjoyable day and evening for everyone and offers excellent opportunities for networking and participating exhibitors and sponsors to showcase their products, services and brands.”

To book a place at the conference, exhibition stand or sponsorship package or to find out more information please contact Maeva on 01525383313 or email Maeva.robson@nia-uk.org 

NIA raises awareness of insulation measures

Green GB Week is designed to highlight the opportunities clean growth offers the UK and raise understanding of how business and the public can contribute to tackling climate change.

During Green GB week the NIA will be raising awareness of the multiple benefits of insulation including Cavity Wall Insulation (CWI) which can pay for itself in less than 3 years, to External Wall Insulation (EWI) which can transform the appearance and curb appeal of a home whilst reducing bills and making them warmer, to Internal Wall Insulation (IWI) which enables homes that do not have cavity walls and cannot be treated with EWI to benefit. There are also lower cost, simple measures such as topping up loft insulation and draught proofing to prevent cold entering around doors, windows and floors. 

The National Insulation Association (NIA) represents manufacturers, system suppliers, installers, contractors and fixing and component suppliers of insulation measures and product types in the UK.  With millions of householders lacking adequate home insulation, the industry can play a vital role in contributing to the Governments ambitions to reduce carbon emissions and eradicate fuel poverty. 

We have a national network of NIA Members who meet our membership criteria and a strict code of professional practice which includes a complaint and disciplinary procedure.  For more information visit www.nia-uk.org.

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NIA Conference – Agenda 6th December 2018

Morning Session

-          NIA Progress and Future Plans

o   Derek Horrocks Chair NIA

-          Government Policies, Programmes and Regulations  

o   Department for BEIS

o   Scottish Government

o   Welsh Government.

-          Building on the Hackitt Review  

o   Claire Curtis-Thomas CEO BBA

o   Simon Ayers CEO Trustmark

Lunch

Afternoon Session  

-          PassivHaus – Opportunities for Insulation Companies 

       Alan Budden PassivHaus Trust + Chartered Architect  

-          Breakouts

o   Growing Claims Culture

o   Quality = Opportunity  

o   Developing a professionally installed insulation approach 

   to New Build

NIA AND ENERGY SAVING TRUST JOINT MARKETING CAMPAIGN

As part of our work to promote the benefits of insulation to householders and encourage them to contact a National Insulation Association member for a survey and quotation, we are pleased to announce that we have agreed to undertake a major marketing campaign this autumn with the Energy Saving Trust.  The campaign will feature national and regional press releases and social media activity which will promote the specific benefits of the different insulation measures; External, Internal, Cavity Wall, Loft, Roof, Floor Insulation and Draught Proofing and then signpost consumers to the NIA website to find out more details and an NIA member to carry out the work.

As many will be aware the new ECO3 which commences in October is focussed on affordable warmth households and will not include CERO/able to pay subsidies, therefore the campaign will focus on able-to-pay households and encouraging them to insulate based on the many benefits of insulation even if there is not a subsidy available.

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NIA and its members to build the value back into home insulation

For the past 20 years, there have been large subsidies and grants available from energy companies and Government towards the cost of home insulation for both fuel poor households and 'able to pay' households.

Whilst this has been very helpful for those households in the greatest need who are suffering from fuel poverty, it has also resulted in insulation being devalued with householders focusing on price and grants only and not appreciating the true benefits insulation provides.  This autumn will see a major change as under the new £640m per year Energy Company Obligation 3 scheme subsidies and grants will be restricted to vulnerable and fuel poor households only and not available to those 'able to pay'.

This provides a significant opportunity for the industry to build the value back into insulation by promoting the benefits of the different measures:

External Wall Insulation, for example, can transform the appearance and add value and curb appeal to a building as well as reducing fuel bills whilst Cavity Wall Insulation can be undertaken in just a few hours and pay for itself in under 3 years even without a subsidy or grant.

In order to get these messages across to the general public, the NIA and its members are teaming up with the Energy Saving Trust, the independent national energy efficiency experts and other advice agencies to promote the true benefits of insulation.

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NIA Launches New Regional Breakfast Meetings

In response to requests from its members for more frequent, local face to face engagements the NIA has established new breakfast meetings.

In launching the new initiative Neil Marshall CEO said: "Our members asked us for more face to face meetings that fit in with their working day - in response, we have introduced regional breakfast meetings.  These are to be held in central locations within regions to minimise travel time and take place between 9 and 10.30 to try and avoid disrupting the working day.  The meetings will provide an opportunity for us to share important updates, to hear first hand about business issues our members are facing and provide an important opportunity for networking."

For more details on the help available or to access our services contact Bev Hodson on 01525383313 or email Bev.hodson@nia-uk.org

NIA and its members are here to help Local Authorities maximise the opportunities from ECO3

The new Energy Company Obligation which runs from 1st October 2018 to end March 2022 includes a mechanism called the Local Authority Flexible Eligibility Option which energy companies can use to achieve up to 25% of their ECO target.

The LA Flexible Eligibility Option recognises that Local Authorities are very well placed to assist in the effective targeting of householders in or at risk of fuel poverty because of their local knowledge of the housing stock and relationships with local residents and stakeholders.  Using this new option Local Authorities can develop and run local schemes in their area providing free energy efficiency measures to residents which are funded by energy companies.

NIA members can assist Local Authorities looking for help to develop and run their schemes.  Our installer members can provide Information, advice and guidance on funding opportunities and have considerable experience of working with energy companies, housing providers and other organisations in the design and delivery of high-quality local schemes.

The NIA’s membership includes the leading manufacturers/system suppliers and installers of all insulation measures so can offer a complete service for Local Authorities looking for help.

For more details on the help available or to access these services contact Bev Hodson on 01525383313 or email Bev.hodson@nia-uk.org or visit www.nia-uk.org 

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