The trade association celebrated its 50th year with a VIP reception last night.
The event was attended by many of the exhibitors and a small number of people who were in the industry when BACTA was formed in 1974, from an amalgamation of the ATA, the ACA, the Phonographic Operators Association and the old BAMOS organisation.
Bacta marked the occasion with a series of awards for single contributions to the industry. Bacta president John Bollom (pictured) introduced the awards along with leading lights from the industry who were there to present them.
Among the awards was the Green Giant Award, made to recognise a significant achievement in ecology. This year the recipient was Merkur UK for planting 1,500 trees, setting up wind farms and other environmentally-friendly endeavours. George McGregor, one of Bacta’s executive directors, made the presentation to Sascha Blodau of Merkur UK.
Peter Davies presented the Supply Chain Award to Bonal Chua of the United Distributing Company; Alan Black of Sound Leisure received an EAG Chairman’s Special Award for his contribution to the industry; James Miller presented the High Street Hero Award to Kevin Farnsworth of Luxury Leisure; Simon Thomas presented the Jimmy Thomas Rising Star Award to Henry Hulse of Blueprint.
