Trade show calls for Hall Of Fame help to mark 75th anniversary
Spring Fair is looking for input from all to put together a Hall Of Fame wall of nostalgic photos and memories from the show’s 75-year history.
For the big birthday event at Birmingham’s NEC over 2-5 February, organiser Hyve Group wants to bring the Hall Of Fame to life, offering the show’s community the chance to reminisce and remember the decades of its history along with a snapshot of memorable past events and current affairs from 1950 to 2024.
Spring Fair’s timeline will be featured alongside a large digital screen of pictures and stories, and a selfie wall to capture the 2025 show, for all exhibitors and visitors.
“This milestone event will bring the retail community together – to celebrate the past, present and future of retailing and put the spotlight on the people and businesses who have made Spring Fair a part of their retailing journey,” said event director Soraya Gadelrab.
“We’d love to receive all your memorable memories and pictures, and we will create a place where the community can take a nostalgic look back on the years gone by. I can’t wait to see pictures from the past and hear your stories.”
They would love to hear from any exhibitors and visitors from the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000s, and 2010s, with memorable stories or pictures to share.
Having been held in various locations since it began in 1950, the show was first held at the NEC in 1976 when Queen Elizabeth II declared the venue open on 2 February, almost three years to the day since then-prime minister Edward Heath cut the ribbon to initiate its construction.
Were you at the show in when the Queen visited? Do you have any great then and now pictures from the show or of your stands? Can you chart any memorable moments at the show that stick in your mind or defined your business?
Did you make new connections with brands or retailers that you still work with today? What were the highlight product launches over the decades? Are any products that became best-sellers still available today and how have they evolved over the decades? Are you also celebrating a big anniversary in 2025?
Memories and pictures can be sent to Reka Rasko at reka.rasko@hyve.group for consideration for inclusion in the Hall Of Fame.
Registration for the big birthday edition is also now live as Spring Fair looks to have around 1,200 exhibitors – almost 700 from the gift and greeting card sectors.
And Soraya added: “We’re bursting at the seams! It’s been incredible to feel and see the momentum build for Spring Fair 2025. The desire for brands to take part in this milestone event is palpable. And it’s not just the Gift destination seeing extraordinary growth.”
