Show News: Industry news from Craft Focus magazine

h+h americas in top 50

Koelnmesse's h+h americas show has been listed amongst the TOP 50 fastest growing 2023 trade shows in the U.S. Cologne/Chicago Trade Show Executive (TSE) Fastest 50 Class of 2023, marked the trade show industry's trade shows breaking TSE Fastest 50 records for growth by net square feet, number of exhibiting companies and total attendance - and h+h has come up trumps!

Posted: 14 March 2024

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Creativeworld 2024

The sustainability of products is becoming increasingly important in artistic design. This was abundantly on display at Creativeworld 2024. Numerous exhibitors presented 'green' products for artists of all ages to the professional creative community. The Ethical Style by Creativeworld label at the stands provided orientation in the halls. The cross-event Ethical Style programme of the Frankfurt consumer goods fairs comprises a selection of exhibitors with sustainable approaches, curated by an independent jury of experts.

Posted: 12 March 2024

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Show floor to shop window

Autumn Fair, the UK retail's inspirational shopping destination for Home, Gift and Fashion, has announced the launch of its new campaign theme promising a celebration of newness and original products that will bring retail stores to life, putting the spotlight on the allure of the 'shop window' and the best of British suppliers. The show will take place 1st – 4th September at NEC Birmingham.

Posted: 29 February 2024

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h+h Cologne's diversified event programme

h+h cologne will become the ultimate networking and educational platform for the handicraft industry from 22nd to 24th March 2024 - the respective programme contents have now been announced: From the first steps of founding a company, to the power of collaboration, through to the creation of reels, valuable knowledge that falls under the key theme "Creative Empowerment" will be conveyed.

Posted: 27 February 2024

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Spring and Autumn Fair announce new advisory board

Spring & Autumn Fair, the UK's largest and most inspirational retail trade shows for Home, Gift and Fashion, has announced the creation of a new Advisory Board designed to drive the continuous enhancement of the two shows and ensure that UK retail has a thriving marketplace in which to do business.

The board, chaired by Stephen Spencer, Ambience Director at Stephen Spencer + Associates, comprises 15 of the industry's leading figureheads.

Including John Halliday from British Independent Retailers Association, Sarah Ward of the Giftware Association, Ben Massey from the National Association of Jewellers, exhibitors including Stephen Illingworth from Widdop & Co, Aylish Ellwood from Enesco, who all provide valuable industry insight and advice assisting in the on-going development and growth of Spring & Autumn Fair.

Posted: 22 February 2024

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Spring fair looks ahead to 2025

Spring Fair, the UK's largest and most inspirational retail marketplace for Home, Gift and Fashion, closed on a high after four days of intensive buying, creativity and fun, and now looks ahead to its 75th anniversary in 2025. From Sunday to Wednesday, the UK's longest serving retail show attracted thousands of buyers from retailers including John Lewis, Asda, Fortnum & Mason, Tesco, Aldi UK, Elphicks, Cards Galore and more.

Posted: 15 February 2024

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Sponsors swift to sign up for NSW

The plans for National Stationery Week 2024 are off to a fabulous start, with seven leading brands already having pledged their support as sponsors for the weeklong event which will spread the love at both retail and consumer levels about all things stationery. National Stationery Week runs over Monday to Sunday, 13th -19th May, this year, and encompasses the London Stationery Show on the Tuesday and Wednesday (14th -15th May) at the Business Design Centre in Islington.

Posted: 13 February 2024

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Further growth for Harrogate Christmas & Gift 2024

The UK trade show for the festive trade sector experiences significant increase in both exhibitor and visitor numbers for the 2024 show, attracting buyers from across Europe. Harrogate Christmas & Gift has enjoyed year-on-year growth for more than 10 years, but the 2024 show, which took place from 14th to 17th January at the Harrogate Convention Centre, exceeded all expectations with a further increase in visitor numbers of over 11 per cent compared with last year.

Posted: 8 February 2024

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Spring Fair the launch pad for new products

Buyers highlighted their delight at their new discoveries and the feedback throughout the day was buoyant and energised. Hillary Fuller, from Attico in Bournemouth said, "We've had such a great show, and seen loads of new and innovative products. We're actually running behind schedule as we discovered two new companies that we've not bought from before and they are perfect for us, and now we're off to meet more of our regular suppliers." Stephanie Taylor Howl from Just-Tickety Boo Events, Burton-on-Trent added, "The show is amazing, it's not just an average show, it's much bigger and better! The stands really draw you in, it has been a really immersive experience. We have found it easy to navigate around the show, signage has been excellent. It's been good to meet the brands in person and make relationships directly with the sellers. I found some lovely high-end ribbon, some amazing frosted trees and some enormous wreaths which will be great for my Christmas events. We have seen some lovely new products, the quality is excellent and the prices have been competitive. We stumbled across some new suppliers, they are local to us and we never would have found them without visiting Spring Fair, which is great!"

Posted: 8 February 2024

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Frankfurt: In brief!

The trio of Frankfurt consumer goods fairs, consisting of Ambiente, Christmasworld and Creativeworld, impressively demonstrated that the entire global consumer goods industry was a guest at the fully booked Frankfurt exhibition grounds for five days. Even the rail strike could not dampen the success: "Mission accomplished! Together with around 5,000 exhibitors and participants from over 170 countries and regions, this top-class trade fair trio strengthens the consumer goods industry in uncertain times", summed up Detlef Braun, Member of the Executive Board of Messe Frankfurt.

Posted: 6 February 2024

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