The creation of a new Advisory Board by Spring & Autumn Fair has been created to drive the continuous enhancement of the two shows, with leading names in the gift industry filling six of the 15 places.
Chaired by Stephen Spencer, ambience director at Stephen Spencer + Associates, the Advisory Board is made up of leading figureheads across trade associations, long standing exhibitors and retailers. They include Sarah Ward, ceo of The Giftware Association; Stephen Illingworth, ceo of Widdop & Co; Aylish Ellwood, Enesco’s trade marketing manager; Tim Hollis, retail brand development manager at Talking Tables; Samantha Gibbs, founder and owner of three Nest gift shops, and Maggie Thornton, founder and owner of gift shop Alligator Pear.
Also on the Advisory Board are John Halliday from the British Independent Retailers Association (Bira); Karen Wilson from the Greetings Card Association (GCA), Ben Massey from the National Association of Jewellers (NAJ), Nick Ronald from Casa Verde, Jason Bensohn from One Dot World, as well retailer Kay Hutcheson of Coopers of Stortford.
All provide valuable industry insight and advice assisting in the on-going development and growth of Spring & Autumn Fair.
“Having been a buyer, visitor and exhibitor at Spring and Autumn Fair for over 30 years, I’m excited and honoured to chair this Advisory Board,” stated chair, Stephen Spencer, ambience director at Stephen Spencer + Associates. “Innovation, arising out of genuine collaboration, are key not only to futureproofing these shows, but also to helping shape the future of the gift and home sectors out on the high street. We’re fortunate indeed to have such an array of talent and experience on the board.”
Samantha Gibbs, owner of Nest, which has stores in Stoneygate, Stoughton Grange Farm and Thurlaston Garden Centre, says, “I am a passionate advocate of Spring and Autumn Fair, and a devout user of them, and therefore committed to having a voice to help ensure their future success. The creative, dynamic, and sheer wealth of inspiring products within our trade shows is something that our industry can be very proud of, and rightly so. The shows are at the very heart of our trade and how we present ourselves to the world in an ever-changing business environment is complicated, but means we need to be robust, energetic, and focused to create an exciting showcase for which buyers and exhibitors can confidently commit too.”
Aylish Ellwood, trade marketing manager at exhibitor Enesco, emphasises the shows’ opportunities. “I truly believe that there is no greater opportunity than a trade fair to celebrate the industry, to showcase, to inspire, collaborate and explore endless opportunities available to all stakeholders, from suppliers, to retailers, trade publishers, artists, trade associations… the list goes on. It’s not only about the people you know, but more importantly about the people you don’t know…yet.”
Tim Hollis, retail brand development manager of exhibitor Talking Tables highlights the importance of face-to-face business. “Trade shows remain the beating heart of our industry and conducting business face to face at these shows remains so important,” he states.
“The new Advisory Board is a very exciting development in the shows’ history,” comments Jackson Szabo, portfolio director at Spring & Autumn Fair. “Spring Fair has brought the retail industry together for over 70 years and Autumn Fair for over 30 years. They have become the nucleus of the industry and enabled so much great business to be done.”
Adds Laura Rae, head of community at Spring & Autumn Fair: “As we look ahead to Autumn Fair in September, and our 75th Spring Fair, we know how important it is to garner support and insight from our key partners and community. Together we can offer the best experiences possible and continue to develop and safeguard the shows to fully meet the needs of the industry now and for many years to come.”
The new Advisory Board is committed to guiding Spring & Autumn Fair to achieve a host of outcomes including proactively identifying trends and opportunitieswithin the retail industry, identifying key visitor groups, expanding the regions they come from, and optimising visitor and exhibitor experiences. The Board will meet regularly to provide honest and constructive participation.
Visit www.springfair.com and www.autumnfair.com
Autumn Fair takes place at the NEC from 1 – 4 September 2024 with Spring Fair returning on 2 – 5 February 2025.
Top: Members of the new Spring & Autumn Fair Advisory Board include, from left to right: Stephen Illingworth, ceo of Widdop & Co; The Giftware Association’s ceo Sarah Ward, and Tim Hollis, Talking Tables’ retail brand development manager.
