CTSI Conference 2016 - Round-up In this feature consumer day book launch exhibition demos CONFERENCE 2016 Telfords loose change Highlights from across Conference and the exhibition floor Friendly fire to combat fraudsters For the second year in a row, CTSI staged Consumer Day on the fourth and nal day of Conference in Telford. Local consumers, consumer organisations and businesses met to learn more about current issues, via networking in the exhibition area and attending workshops. A partnership project to help protect the vulnerable from fraudsters, Friends Against Scams, was also launched during the event by the National Trading Standards Scams Team, with the support of NatWest. During an interesting and, at times, shocking presentation, members of the public and businesspeople learned of the different scams that exist and how to spot one, and the often devastating consequences for those who are taken advantage of. Friends Against Scams aims to recruit friends to help identify people in their communities who may fall or have fallen victim to a scammer. There will also be SCAMchampions, who will receive training to recruit further friends to the scheme, and SCAMbassadors MPs, senior ofcials or others with the inuence to raise the prole of scams. Leon Livermore, CTSI chief executive, said: Consumer Day gives consumer organisations, and the voluntary and community sectors, the chance to engage with each other and the trading standards profession. Protecting people from scams and unscrupulous traders is something trading standards takes extremely seriously, and this was a chance for wider organisations to get involved. Les Matheson, chief executive of personal and business banking, NatWest, added: Keeping our customers nances safe and secure is a key priority. We are constantly working on innovative ways to protect them and limit the negative impact that fraud and scams have on the health and wellbeing of consumers and society. In addition to our Secure Banking Promise, we: actively monitor accounts for unusual activity; encourage customers to download free Rapport software, which protects their details when banking and shopping online; and use our NatWest MoneyClips to educate customers on how to protect themselves. Carmarthenshire County Council was named Best Local Government Exhibitor this year hot on the heels of its trading standards teams joint MJ Local Government Achievement Award win! Sports Traider/LMB beat off stiff competition in CTSIs exhibitor category, to win the Best NonLocal Government Exhibitor Award 2016 NMG Awards 2016 The National Markets Group (NMG) Awards celebrate the achievements of trading standards departments in tackling counterfeiting and piracy at markets, car boot sales and on social media. Launched last year, the awards recognise the dedication and professionalism of their recipients in tackling Intellectual Property (IP) crime. This year, they were presented by Graham Mogg, chair of the NMG and intelligence coordinator of the anticounterfeiting group, and Patricia Lennon, chief executive of the Real Deal Campaign. The Team Award went to Rhondda Cynon Taff Trading Standards community protection and enforcement team, in recognition of their dedication and professionalism in Operation Jasper 2. The national initiative used an intelligence-led approach to reduce the availability of counterfeit goods on Facebook and Instagram. Graham Mogg, chair of the National Markets Group, presents the Team Award to Rhondda Cynon Taff Trading Standards, represented by Judith Parry Getting their message across Bubbly reward for Kent Councils Harvey The vice-presidents (VPs) of CTSI held a special meeting at this years Conference, to discuss recent policy initiatives and how they can play their part in getting the institutes policy messages out to stakeholders. They discussed a variety of issues, including the current environment that the profession is operating in and the challenges it faces. A number of practical suggestions on what VPs could do to help were put forward. Susan Harvey was the lucky winner of CTSIs Stand competition at Conference this year. Harvey, commercial operations manager at Kent County Council, was one of many delegates to fill out a questionnaire on what visitors want from CTSI Conference. Elaina Jones, sales and marketing officer at CTSI, said the competition allowed the institute to collect useful information to assist in shaping the format and structure of future events. Harveys contribution was rewarded with a bottle of champagne. Party hat-trick! Conference wasnt all work and no play; delegates got the opportunity to become socialites at three events where conversation, music and alcohol flowed. It all kicked off with CTSI president, Christine Crawley, officially opening the four-day event at the International Conference Centre in Telford. On the second night, the sellout Annual Awards Dinner raised a record-breaking 1,200 for the College of Fellows, while the notable achievements of services and individuals were celebrated throughout the evening. The third and final night heralded the Come as you were party at Club Crush, where attendees danced the night away to iconic tunes from the past few decades. Councils ADR given the A-OK Kent County Council became the latest organisation to be awarded official Alternative Dispute Resolution status by CTSI. Leon Livermore, CTSI chief executive, officially presented the local authoritys certificate which is valid for 12 months at CTSI Conference. In the pink! The latest edition of the pink book was launched by 36 Bedford Row legal chambers at CTSI Conference. Written by Bryan Lewin MBE and Jonathan Kirk QC, the legal consumer bible, Consumer and Trading Standards Law and Practice, is now in its fourth edition. Time to nose about The exhibition oor was as busy as ever this year, with a number of demonstrations taking place throughout the four-day event. Among the activities was Ale the sniffer dog winner of a CTSI Hero Award demonstrating his prowess to an eager audience. Ken Daly, manager at Dundee Trading Standards, won the Jeanne Bisgood Trophy for the Chairmans Golf Tournament, which is played every year at Conference. Started in 1956, the tournament is now in its 60th year. It was sponsored by CPR Call Blocker and held on the Monday at the Horsehay Village Golf Club. The winners trophy was presented by CTSI chair, Christine Heemskerk. Credits Images: Sam Atkins To share this page, in the toolbar click on You might also like Its all going on August 2015 An Individual Award went to Lesley Jenkins, from Walsall Trading Standards, for her initiatives in tackling IP crime at Bescot Market. Jenkins managed to persuade the landowner and market operator to sign a code of conduct along the lines of the Real Deal. She also coordinated a series of raids that have led to a significant reduction in the availability of counterfeit goods at the market. Graham Mogg, chair of the National Markets Group, presents an Individual Award to Lesley Jenkins, Walsall Trading Standards An Individual Award went to Ceri Martin, from Wrexham Trading Standards, for her work across markets in North Wales. Despite limited resource, Martin persuaded managers to implement the Real Deal code of conduct at all markets operating in North Wales. This remarkable achievement has ensured that the markets are now safe and equitable places for consumers and legitimate businesses. Patricia Lennon, chief executive of the Real Deal Campaign, presents an individual award to Ceri Martin, Wrexham Trading Standards The Certificate of Excellence in Anti-Counterfeiting Enforcement was presented to Lincolnshire Trading Standards, led by Emma Beckett. It was presented in recognition of their tireless efforts to tackle the sale of counterfeit and pirated goods at Eastgate Market in Skegness. After significant raid activity and seizures of thousands of infringing products, the team has now implemented a self-regulation code of conduct with the market operator resulting in a significant reduction in the availability of counterfeit goods. Graham Mogg, chair of the National Markets Group, presents the Certificate of Excellence in Anti-Counterfeiting Enforcement to Lincolnshire Trading Standards, represented by Emma Beckett