Business networking export is keynote speaker for 'Loo of the Year' awards

Stefan Thomas, the acclaimed author of Business Networking for Dummies and a leading authority on professional networking, has been announced as the keynote speaker for the Loo of the Year awards.

Stefan, based in Oxfordshire, is the bestselling author of the books Business Networking for Dummies and Win The Room. With extensive experience in speaking and training, Stefan has captivated audiences for leading companies such as BT, Lloyds Bank, and Utility Warehouse across Europe.

Stefan’s expertise and engaging speaking style promise to inspire and motivate attendees at this unique event.

Becky Wall, who runs the awards, expressed her enthusiasm: “When we run our main event we always try to inspire and motivate those who attend – we want them to gain some knowledge and we believe Stefan’s experience of networking for business is a great fit for our guests. We know they will go away feeling inspired and empowered to get out and about more in business.”

For Stefan, the event holds a personal significance. He said: “It’s easy to make fun of the subject matter of toilets, yet we all remember toilets and washroom spaces which are not cared for and not clean. It can set the tone of a meeting, or it can set the tone of an experience in a hotel, café, restaurant, or even a shop. To have the opportunity to celebrate the best of the best is fantastic.

“For me, there’s also a personal angle. I have ulcerative colitis, which is an inflammatory bowel disease, and when a flare-up occurs, having access to excellent toilet facilities is essential for me. While there’s an air of fun around these awards, there is an important and serious point to make around making these spaces healthy and clean for everyone’s well-being.”

The Loo of the Year awards will celebrate their 37th year in 2024. The awards aim to highlight businesses and organisations that take sanitary hygiene seriously and to raise standards around ‘loos away from home.’ Entry for the 2024 awards is now closed.

There are 63 categories covering a wide range of relevant businesses, from hotels to shopping centres to caravan parks. Past winners have included notable names such as Asda Stores, J D Wetherspoons, Gatwick Airport and last year’s Overall Loo of the Year Award winner Hillcroft Park – a campsite in the Lake District.

Once nominated, a team of trained inspectors visit the premises unannounced with a checklist covering 101 different factors. Winners are awarded from bronze to diamond status. The final gala event will take place in January 2025 at the National Motorcycle Museum in Birmingham.

Behind the awards are couple Becky Wall BEM and her husband Charles, who run their own mobile toilet business, A Plush Flush, offering luxury portable toilets. Becky, known in her sector as the ‘loo lady,’ even sits on the board of the British Toilet Association (no pun intended!)

To find out more about the Loo of the Year Awards visit https://www.loo.co.uk/