The DGCOS team attended the March PIGS event at the Castlefield Rooms in Manchester, as part of our strategy to network with key industry leaders, trade bodies and government departments. It was a fantastic evening, although attendance was only around 80 industry professionals, due to the proliferation of snow around the country – the “Beast from the East”. In fact, it was only on the morning of the event that the Castlefield Rooms confirmed the event was on!
What is PIGS?
Well, whilst many DGCOS members will be aware of what PIGS is, here’s a brief explanation: PIGS, or to use its full title “People in Glazing Society”, is a long-running and popular networking group which was originally set up in 2004. Initially started for the press and marketing professionals, it was soon clear that other people in the industry would benefit from the networking.
In 2014, Sarah Ball of Balls2Marketing took over as PIGS organiser and now arranges four events a year in Manchester, London, Glasgow and Birmingham. PIGS
Everyone is kept up to date via PIGS social media @PeopleInGlazing on Twitter, the “People in Glazing” page on Facebook, and the “PIGS: People in Glazing” Group on LinkedIn.
Anyone can join the PIGS mailing list – just register under the PIGS section of the Balls2Marketing.co.uk website to receive updates.
So who attended for DGCOS?
Three of the DGCOS Team attended, being Brian Smith (Strategy Consultant), Adrian Simpson (Assistant Director of Consumer Policy) and Jake Pilkington (Development Director).
A great feature of these networking events is the ease with which you can talk to anyone: from systems houses, manufacturers, installers, glazing magazine personnel, or other suppliers. Everyone is there for the same purpose: to network for both business and social reasons. And it works well: the evening started at 5.00pm and we left the Castlefield Rooms at 11.30pm after a solid 6½ hours, conversing with industry professionals and updating them on how DGCOS would be progressing over the next few months.
Adrian chatted in particular to Glass Times about upcoming DGCOS developments and invited him to visit our Leyland offices to meet all the DGCOS Team and learn more with a view to an article in the popular trade monthly magazine.
Unfortunately, the weather resulted in many attendees being unable to travel to Manchester. However, we spoke to a number of attendees and we were delighted to hear of their interest in knowing more about DGCOS and how it can assist their leads to sales conversion rate.
Brian Smith commented: “The power of PIGS was evident via Twitter posts when I realised that I was on the same train coming up from London to Manchester as Matthew Glover, Chairman of the FIT Show, so we met up and had a great chat about the industry. He was interested to hear that DGCOS are looking to exhibit at next year’s FIT Show at the NEC in Birmingham.”
Adrian Simpson added: “It was my first visit to a PIGS event and despite the treacherous journey from Kent, I had a great time and got to make some excellent contacts. As a newbie to the industry, I was made to feel welcome and other guests were only too happy to share with me their experiences in the industry and to give me advice. Can’t wait for the next event!”
DGCOS at the next PIGS event?
DGCOS will be looking at attending the next PIGS evening in London in June, once the date is yet to be finalised. If you’re thinking of attending, then keep your eyes peeled on @PeopleInGlazing on Twitter and order your free ticket as soon as the date is set. You won’t regret it!
The DGCOS Team will also be attending this year’s major glazing industry event – the Glazing Summit on the 22nd May – look out for us!