Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Catalogue Exchange?
The Catalogue Exchange is a not-for-profit trade body which was formed by senior executives and business owners selling goods via a blend of channels, who felt their interests were not well served by existing trade associations. It was initially soft launched in 2004 and now, in its fifth year, is working hard to support its growing membership.

The range of on and off-line channels deployed by client-side member companies include, but are not limited to:

Most members utilise at least three of these routes to customers, with many deploying ten or more. The interests of both business-to-business and business-to-consumer marketers are served, making Catalogue Exchange uniquely representative of the entire distance selling sector.

What are the aims of Catalogue Exchange?
Catalogue Exchange exists to facilitate networking among its member companies and aims to provide a central source, via its website, of up to date information, research, and resources to support member companies. Committed to the promotion of best practice and the interests of the sector as a whole, the Advisory Board aims to develop an offering of educational resources and opportunities for all members. Above all, Catalogue Exchange is an inclusive organisation open to all businesses which will find benefit in membership.

What types of businesses are in membership?
Our client-side members range from small niche businesses, including start-ups, through to established multi-brand direct merchants and the multi-channel trading divisions of major retail groups. Members include those who target consumer customers as well as business ones.

Supplier-side members represent the entire range of specialist solution, product and service providers. These range from small consultancy practices and creative agencies through to major IT solutions providers, print and web specialists. They include:

What benefits do members enjoy?
Client-side member company executives gain access to a network of peers from similar businesses. This provides opportunities to exchange lists, inserts, develop joint ventures and engage in open dialogue. Membership is corporate, rather than individual, enabling all personnel from member companies to gain password access to the 'members only' areas of the website. This includes a range of special interest group forums, helpful information spanning all interests, news and feature articles and updates.

Client-side members are also offered special discounts on a range of solutions and services which are negotiated by our Advisory Board to benefit all members. They will include training courses as well as day to day requirements such as access to competitive credit card merchant fees, revenue generating 0845 telephone services, certain website services and more. The list is in continuous development.

In addition, client-side members may wish to extend discounts on their products to the entire Catalogue Exchange membership and generate incremental sales. Coupon downloads and special ordering codes can be managed via the site. Companies can also inform other members of their willingness to exchange lists via their site profiles. A series of member forums afford the opportunity to post questions to other members, to open discussion threads as well as to request advice.

There is also a number of valuable live events taking place throughout the year which member company executives can attend at “close to cost” rates. These offer opportunities to enter into debate as well as to meet and network with other member company representatives.

Client-side members may also access the extensive directory of specialist supplier organisations hosted on the site, which includes details of the sector clients these work for.

Supplier-side companies are offered Associate Membership and through this are able to gain access to most of the member areas of the website.

The primary benefit to our Supplier Associates is the opportunity to network with members at our live events. In addition, associates may upload their information to the Supplier Directory and contribute in most of the site’s forums.

There are also opportunities for supplier organisations to support Catalogue Exchange initiatives via sponsorship – for live events or for other specific projects. Sponsors receive greater exposure on the site via the hosting of branded white papers, case studies and other information.

Further information for supplier organisations can be obtained from CatEx Management Ltd – the secretariat for Catalogue Exchange which deals with all applications for membership and sponsorship and administers bookings for, and stages, all Catalogue Exchange events.

Parties wishing to communicate with members of the Advisory Board are asked to contact CatEx Management in the first instance.

Who runs Catalogue Exchange?
The Catalogue Exchange's affairs are managed by CatEx Management Ltd – a company formed specifically to do so. It employs a small team who between them manage the development of the trade body – in terms of member recruitment, event development, marketing and staging, sponsorship sales, website development & maintenance.

Contact us:
CatEx Management Ltd
155 High Street
ILFRACOMBE
N Devon EX34 9EZ
UK

Tel: 0871 855 5545

Dedicated Catex Management Ltd team members:
Monica Carter-Burns - Client-side Services
Sarah Cassim – Website Manager
Sam Godfrey – Office Manager/Administrator

Naomi Dymond - Head of Communications
Jane Revell-Higgins – Managing Director

Email addresses – first name at catalogueexchange.co.uk

Advisory Board
Catalogue Exchange is guided by an elected, voluntary Advisory Board which represents a broad cross section of member companies. The Advisory Board meets several times a year to agree policy and drive the development of new services for members. Each plays a role on one or more of the Catalogue Exchange working parties.

What is the term of office for Advisory Board members?
The standard term of office for elected Advisory Board members is two years. When the two year term draws to an end those wishing to stand for re-election are invited to do so and a call for new nominations is also communicated to the membership. Any vacancy arising from resignation during the term of office of any Advisory Board member will lead to an immediate call for nominations. An election will be held among the membership to appoint a replacement. The Advisory Board was extended in 2008 to include representatives from the supplier community for the first time.

There are eight Advisory Board members from client-side companies, including the current chairperson, and a further four members from the supplier community. 

In addition, the founder of Catalogue Exchange Nigel Swabey, was elected to the role of President Emeritus by the Advisory Board at its AGM in October 2008.

How are candidates for the Advisory Board nominated?
Catalogue Exchange will issue an invitation to all members to either stand or nominate a worthy candidate. Those standing for election are asked to provide profiles and these are circulated to all members eligible to cast votes. Only client-side nominees may stand for client-side Advisory Board  places and only supplier-side nominees may stand for Supplier Side Advisory Board places

Catalogue Exchange Events – the small print
Catalogue Exchange aims to present a range of events each year and to offer all current fully paid up member company executives “close to cost” pricing per place booked. Delegate fees will vary according to the venue, duration and type of event, but these will be clearly shown on all promotional materials.

As a not-for-profit organisation working within very tight margins, we must consider all event bookings to be final and cannot refund pre-paid fees or waive fees under any circumstances.

Companies booking places for their executives for future dates can only take advantage of preferential member rates if their company is in current, fully paid-up membership on the date of the event(s) in question. The CatEx team can confirm any company’s status at any time on request. Non-member companies may attend Catalogue Exchange events subject to space availability but their places will be charged at the prevailing non-member rate. Companies joining Catalogue Exchange in order to participate in Catalogue Exchange events must be in fully paid up status to benefit from member rates.

All invoices for event places will be issued on net terms and must be paid in full prior to the event. When demand exceeds the number of places available preference is given to those companies who have made payment on booking. We can accept credit and debit cards in addition to cheque and BACS payments.

Is there a limit on the number places a company can book per event ?
Each venue we use will have differing capacity and the availability of places is governed by that capacity and the number of firm fully paid bookings already received. Members are advised to check availability with the CatEx team if wishing to reserve multiple places.

What happens if we have booked places but need to cancel?
We will accept substitutions at any time so the best solution is for your company to nominate an alternative person(s) to take up the place(s). If this cannot be done and we are alerted to the inability of delegates to participate 21 days or more prior to the event date, we will transfer the delegate fee as a credit towards the cost of a place or place(s) at a future Catalogue Exchange event. Payment in any case remains due in full.