Autumn Fair organiser hears out protesting exhibitors, GCA and GA
Hyve Group, organiser of Autumn Fair, is taking on board the deep-felt ill-feelings of exhibitors and the GCA and GA concerning its new Connect meetings initiative that officially launched at this week’s four-day show, which closed today at the NEC.
Having invested heavily in what was hailed as a “game changer” by the exhibition organiser, Connect’s premise promised to bring together exhibitors and retail buyers for mutually-beneficial pre-arranged timed meetings.
However, a combination of the compulsory imposed cost of Connect for exhibitors, the time-consuming preparation required and, unfortunately, a poor level of retail buyers showing up for the arranged meetings resulted in exhibitors feeling increasingly disgruntled by the new initiative, which culminated in a protest by over 100 exhibitors inside Hall 20 at the show this morning, 6 September.
As Ged Mace, managing director of The Art File, summed up: “While we are all for trying new ideas and initiatives, if they don’t work for whatever reason, you need to recognise that and adapt them or shelve them.
“We, like many other exhibitors, spent several days complying with the technology to send invites out for meetings with buyers which never came to fruition. All the negative talk about Connect throughout the show rather sullies what is usually a happy atmosphere.
“I understand that Connect is being adopted across all Hyve’s shows – while it may be more positively received by its other shows and sectors, I really do hope that Hyve acts on the constructive feedback from the card and gift sector.”
Recognising the strength of ill-feeling, members of the Autumn Fair team met with a group of exhibitors following the protest and then with the GCA’s ceo Amanda Fergusson. to not only listen to the concerns, but also to promise a 28-day freeze during which time the key issues will be considered.
Nicola Meadows, Hyve’s divisional managing director. said, “I really appreciated speaking to the group of exhibitors this morning who shared their thoughts and feelings about the onsite experience, the delivery, and outcomes of Connect and the general feel across the show floor.
“We have listened and were able to have a constructive conversation and would like to reassure all our exhibitors that while we evaluate the overall show, gain further feedback, and follow up with each of them, their location and rates will not change. In the meantime, we will not be increasing rates and the onsite offer will be frozen for the next 28 days.”
The GCA voiced greeting card publishers’ early worries over Connect a year ago, and also convened a meeting in March between the Hyve team and the association’s council members to air further concerns over its costs and requirements.
With the proof of the pudding being in the eating, after four days of Connect not delivering for members, Amanda met with Nicola and event director Daniel Mayhew to make the industry’s voice heard.
Amanda said: “Autumn and Spring Fair are really important to the greeting card industry. We love the shows, and the card sector is very important to the shows. If you’ve got gift buyers coming here, the show needs cards so we really want the show to succeed, we want to see more exhibitors here but, most importantly, we want the buyers to come flooding through the door – that’s important to all of us, they are what makes it a successful show.”
She added she is reassured the Hyve team is now “listening to the exhibitors, and pleased that they going to take time to go away and reflect on all the feedback from the show and look at how we can improve and move forward”.
The Giftware Association has also been active in relaying its members’ concerns over Connect, and GA ceo Sarah Ward said: “As a membership association supporting our industry and members I have listened and have been actively relaying the narrative of Autumn Fair to the show organisers.
“I have been talking to key exhibitors to understand better the frustrations to reach a positive outcome for all.
“Autumn Fair has been a staple to the autumn show calendar for our members who rely on its success for their brands and own journey and understanding how we work through this together is key to its further success.”
