With less than seven weeks to go until Scotland’s Trade Fair, (19-21 January at the SEC Glasgow), the programme of talks and panel discussions has been unveiled to ensure visitors are enriched by their visit to the show.
Exploring many different aspects of retail, the programme offers visitors the opportunity to learn, grow, and gain valuable insights, say organisers Springboard Events. They include:
- A keynote discussion run by the Scottish Tourism Alliance and Visit Scotland on What’s On Scotland’s 2025 Horizon, given by Marc Crothall, ceo, STA, and Vicki Miller, ceo, Visit Scotland
- A panel discussion from sustainability experts Think Partnership on Sustainability – Shaping the Future of Supply Chains with panel members Imogen Armstrong from Secret Garden Distillery, Alistair Dobson from Taste of Arran and Arran Ice Cream, and Joe Arciero, business coach and ex Pernod Chivas global category leader
- A special 1-to-1 keynote interview on the success of a farm shop with Emma Niven of Loch Leven’s Larder
- Trends Insights for 2025 to discover what will be on trend in retail, hosted by Progressive Gifts & Home Editor Sue Marks, with panellists including Helen Crawford from the Old School, Beauly, The Giftware Association’s ceo Sarah Ward, Nancy Smillie from Nancy Smillie Glasgow, and Caroline Cook, influencer Caroline Style Hacks.
- Understanding Your Customer from industry expert Andrew Busby from BOXTEC, and founder of Redline Retail
- AI In Retail – The Future Of Shopping from Louise Welsby, managing director, Buy-From, and chair of The Giftware Association’s national committee
- Practical retailing tips, including masterclasses on AI in retail, top 10 tips for successful social media and designing with Canva from Business Gateway expert trainers
- Made in Scotland – what does this mean? A panel discussion with Diageo’s Kirsty Vavasour, Alexandra Borthwick from Made Scotland, Glen Appin’s Chris Slater and Amy Britton, chaired by show director Mark Saunders.
In addition, at 1pm on Monday 20 January and Tuesday 21 January, there will be a lively Nessie’s Den session where Launch Gallery exhibitors can pitch their products to retailers and experts for their feedback. On Monday 20 January, gift experts Gemma McQue from the National Trust for Scotland, Michael Apter from Paper Tiger and Therese Oertenblad from Small Business Collaborative will be the Nessies, hosted by show director Mark Saunders. Tuesday’s session will focus on food and drink exhibitors.
The co-located Specialty Food & Drink Show is supported by Scotland Food & Drink this year who will bring some of their members, as well as key buyers. On Tuesday 21 January they will also host a panel discussion on The Power of Provenance in Scottish Food & Drink, led by Anne-Laure Farrar, in the Talking Shop Seminar Theatre.
Sponsored by The Giftware Association, the Best Product Awards will take on a new format this year with a dazzling display of winners in the centre of the show, and a high profile ceremony at the end of the first day.
The Awards will be judged by industry experts Carol Macrae from Eilean Donan Castle; Lynsey Abbott, Buying and Beyond and ex home & gift buyer, Dobbies; Dawn Kane, Scottish Seabird Centre; Sue Marks, Editor of Progressive Gifts & Home magazine and Sarah Ward, ceo of The Giftware Association. All exhibitors are encouraged to enter with the winners receiving free stand space for 2026.
Scotland’s Trade Fair Spring is almost sold out with a great range of established and new exhibitors across the gift, homeware, jewellery, textiles and craft sectors.Recently booked exhibitors include Rebecca Pitcher, Eastern Counties Leather, Shearer Candles, Puckator and more.
Comments show director Mark Saunders: “Our show is a one-stop platform for buying, learning and networking. The programme of talks and discussions is one of the most comprehensive to date so make sure to glean some retail gems from the experts. We look forward to welcoming everyone on 19 January.”
To register, click here.
Top: Panel discussions, keynote talks and masterclasses will be taking place across the three days of January’s Scotland’s Trade Fair Spring.
