Leading industry names share input over Spring & Autumn Fair development
The greeting card community has a voice on the new advisory board set up by Spring & Autumn Fair to suggest improvements for the two trade shows.
Karen Wilson, co-owner of Paper Salad and GCA vice-president, has joined the board alongside retailers, exhibitors and industry associations to give insight and advice into the events’ ongoing development and growth.
Jackson Szabo, portfolio director at Spring & Autumn Fair, said: “The new advisory board is a very exciting development in the shows’ history. 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.”
The board will be chaired by Stephen Spencer, ambience director at collaborative customer experience consultancy Stephen Spencer + Associates, and is due to meet regularly to give honest and constructive participation with a futureproofing remit to guide Spring & Autumn Fair to achieve outcomes including proactively identifying trends and opportunities within the retail industry, identifying key visitor groups, expanding the regions they come from, and optimising visitor and exhibitor experiences.
Alongside Karen the board comprises John Halliday from British Independent Retailers’ Association; The Giftware Association’s Sarah Ward; Ben Massey from the National Association Of Jewellers, as well as exhibitors Nick Ronald from Casa Verde; Widdop And Co’s co-owner Stephen Illingworth; Enesco’s Aylish Ellwood; Tim Hollis from Talking Tables, and One Dot World’s Jason Bensohn. There are also retailers Kay Hutcheson, of Coopers of Stortford; Samantha Gibbs from Nest, and Maggie Thornton from Alligator Pear.
Laura Rae, head of community at Spring & Autumn Fair, added: “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.”
Stephen Spencer explained that he’s been a buyer, visitor and exhibitor at both shows for over 30 years and said: “Innovation, arising out of genuine collaboration, is 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.”
As a “passionate advocate” of Spring & Autumn Fair Nest director Samantha Gibbs, who has three card and gift shops in Leicestershire, said she is “committed to having a voice to help ensure their future success”.
Samantha added: The creative, dynamic, and sheer wealth of inspiring products within our trade shows is something our industry can be very proud of. 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 we need to be robust, energetic, and focused to create an exciting showcase for which buyers and exhibitors can confidently commit too.”
Enesco’s trade marketing manager Aylish Ellwood said: “I truly believe 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.”
Both shows take place at Birmingham’s NEC with Autumn Fair running over 1-4 September, and the 75th edition of Spring Fair is from 2-5 February, 2025.
