News

Home & Gift due to return this summer

Clarion Events, the organisers of the summer trade buying festival, have announced their intention to return to a live show format in Harrogate for 2021. Taking place from 18-21 July across the Harrogate Convention Centre and grounds of the DoubleTree by Hilton Harrogate, the show will offer the retail industry the first and largest face-to-face opportunity for buyers and brands to unite and do business in over a year.

In planning for the show, the Home & Gift team extensively surveyed their audience to see how they could best provide solutions for their needs, revealing that 87% of buyers said they would attend the physical show in July.

With safety remaining paramount, Abigail Quesnel, senior operations manager says: ‘Delivering a safe, secure event for everyone building, exhibiting at, and visiting Home & Gift in July is our number one priority. From the very beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, the team and I have been working closely with the Association of Event Organisers (AEO) who are liaising with the government directly on live event guidelines. We will continue to work with both them and our suppliers over the coming months to monitor the situation as it evolves, adhering to guidelines in every way as, together, we plan for the summer event.’ homeandgift.co.uk

Giving & Living goes online

The virtual 2021 show will run online 10-12 May 2021. Originally due to take place in January and then moved to May, the show cannot take place physically this year, unfortunately, due to the staged plan to exit lockdown.

‘We’re disappointed not to be able to hold the show face to face,’ says Jennifer Trotman, marketing manager of Hale Events, the show’s organisers. ‘But we’re delighted, that this May, we will be able to present the exhibitors and all their new product ranges to even more buyers than usual.

“Normally most of our show visitors are from the South West, so for us to be able to promote Giving & Living Online to buyers nationwide, gives exhibitors access to new markets, and enables buyers from all over the UK to attend and browse and meet new suppliers.’ You can register at: online.givingliving.co.uk.

Autumn Fair set to run 5-8 September

The show is set to return to get you ready for the Golden Quarter, retail’s busiest and most profitable time of year. Held at Birmingham’s NEC, and with new key shopping destinations, Home, Gift and Fashion, Autumn Fair is a curated show for a new era of retail.

For the first time, Moda will now be co-located at Autumn Fair. Also known as the National Footwear Show, Moda will co-exist alongside Jewellery & Watch and Fashion (JWF) to create a new unrivalled Fashion buying destination. Offering an additional touchpoint for leading fashion and footwear brands to showcase, the new Fashion hall will facilitate greater crossover-buying opportunities to a wide, diverse and relevant audience looking for the latest must-have pieces. autumnfair.com

London Stationery Show moves to October

The 2021 edition will now run 5-6 October 2021 at the Business Design Centre, London.

‘We understand that it will take some time for retail to recover from the recent lockdown,’ commented event director, Alex Butler. ‘We believe that the October dates will allow for a successful show for visitors and exhibitors alike.

‘We’re very grateful for the support of the industry and are looking forward to welcoming everyone to the Business Design Centre in October when we can finally meet and do business once again.’ stationeryshowlondon.co.uk

Messe Frankfurt reveals management changes

Exhibition organiser Messe Frankfurt has announced a change in the leadership of its consumer goods division. Julia Uherek and Philipp Ferger will take over as vice presidents of Consumer Goods Fairs from 1 June, while Nicolette Naumann, who is leaving the company of her own volition, will continue to serve in an advisory capacity until 30 June.

The pair will be responsible for trade fair brands including Ambiente, Christmasworld and Paperworld, as well as future fair formats and platforms. They will continue to report to management board member, Stephan Kurzawski.

Since December 2017, Julia has been responsible for the strategic orientation of Paperworld, Creativeworld, Christmasworld and Beautyworld, as group show director of consumer goods fairs.

Philipp Ferger started as an assistant to the company’s management board in 2011 and worked in this capacity for Detlef Braun, who is responsible for the business’ Consumer Goods & Leisure division. Philipp took over responsibility of Tendence as group show director in 2016, and was appointed second MD of nmedia, alongside Nicolaus Gedat, in 2019.

Nicolette has held various positions at Messe Frankfurt since 1986, and is currently responsible for Ambiente.

Detlef Braun comments: ‘With Julia Uherek and Philipp Ferger, we have found our new top team for the consumer goods industry. They both bring detailed knowledge of the consumer goods markets as well as extensive skills and experience in marketing, PR, sales and the organisation of a wide range of trade fair and online formats to align our leading trade fair platforms for the future in an increasingly challenging global industry environment.

‘We are delighted to have been able to recruit them for this challenging roles and thank Nicolette Naumann for a 35-year career at Messe Frankfurt and her countless successes at home and abroad, which are unparalleled in the industry. Her name will forever be associated with Ambiente.’

Spring Fair @ Home now ‘on demand’

Whether you missed your favourite speaker, or just want to watch again, all the exclusive content and showcases are available for you to watch 24-7. There are over 25 hours of content to discover, including inspiring keynotes, product discovery and industry awards. If you didn’t manage to register first time around, you can still do so by registering for your unique on-demand access link: springfair.com/spring-

fair-home-registration.

Christmas & Gift 2021 cancelled

Harrogate Christmas & Gift 2021, which had been postponed from its original date in January to May, has now been cancelled for this year. The next event will now run in 2022, from Sunday 16 January to Wednesday 19 January 2022 at the Harrogate Convention Centre.

Simon Anslow, show organiser explains: ‘Following the government’s announcement that the UK will not be able to resume events until 21 June, it has been decided to now focus on the 2022 show. It is very disappointing for everyone involved, but hopefully life and business will be back to normal by January next year and we can all look forward to another bumper show.’ harrogatefair.com

Exclusively offers live Launchpad for smaller suppliers

The 2021 Exclusively Show’s initiative showcases products from suppliers in the housewares, small electricals and gift industries, including start-ups.

The concept was trialled successfully at Exclusively Digital in 2020; but has never run as a live element of the show. Exclusively has a proven track record for enabling established brands to get in front of buyers and the media and the idea of Launchpad is to do the same for companies who have not previously had such an opportunity.

Stands for the Exclusively Show in general, which returns to The Business

Design Centre, Islington, on 24-25

August are now 95% sold following a positive industry response from exhibitors and visitors with renewed confidence following the Government’s

‘roadmap’ announcements.

The curated Launchpad area has 18 stands of which just two remain available to book. Each favourably-priced stand comes with inclusive carpet, table and chairs, lighting and electrics, and benefits from the same promotional package which is available to all exhibitors.

Will Jones, Chief Operating Officer at BHETA and Chair of Exclusively, says: ‘One of the unique aspects of the Exclusively show is that it has always provided a level playing field for large and small brands. The Launchpad 2 initiative allows the newest and the smallest businesses to get in front of some of the industry’s most significant buyers as well as the Show’s many media visitors. Equally the Launchpad is an opportunity for buyers, journalists and influencers to find something that little bit different, which they are unlikely to have been seen before elsewhere.’ exclusivelyshows.co.uk