But instead he joined up with an army friend in a private hire business and became involved in general administration. Derek was introduced to the trade association by Victor Brand Associates - organizers of the first BADEM Show in 1977 - and was soon appointed general secretary. He said at the time: "Initially I was going to give administrative back-up . . . but when I was asked if we had the organizing ability to run our own exhibition, I decided that we had."
Under his guiding influence, by 1979 the show had grown significantly and was now entirely within the control of its committee. As BADEM’s front man, Derek Power laid the foundations stones of what PLASA has become today. He will be fondly remembered for opening doors all over the world, and for galvanizing the association into a grown-up entity, which was able to benefit in no small part from his experience. When he did finally retire, it was to Callington in Devon, where he is survived by his wife, Gillian and son, Toby.
(Jerry Gilbert)
