Glasgow show organiser brings event forward a month to kick off season
As tourists are flocking back to the lochs, highlands, islands and sights north of the border, the organiser of Scotland’s Trade Fairs has repositioned the autumn edition as the first show of the season, moving it forward a month to 20-21 August.
“Already tourists from around the globe are back visiting Scotland,” said Springboard Events’ director Mark Saunders. “Coupled with the good value for money that the lower pound brings it looks like being a good summer season. This all points to the autumn show being a major success – make sure the date is in your diary!”
Aimed at giving buyers better timing for Christmas buying, and allowing them to top up for autumn and an early shot at 2024 ranges, organiser Springboard Events said almost 90% of Scotland’s Trade Fair Autumn at Glasgow’s SEC is already booked up, and registration to attend will be open soon for retailers to view the selection of gifts, homewares, jewellery and fashion accessories.
Alongside the fully-booked Launch Gallery, there’s an interesting roster of greetings publishers, with All That Glitters, Casablanca Studios, Clare Baird Designs, Designed By Islay, F&B Cards, Hole In My Pocket, Joy Nevada, Lin-Pin Crafts, Little Paper Soul, Lomond Books & Lyrical Scotland, Marc Peters Glass, Periodic Society, Pink Pig, Snappy Crocodile, The Grey Earl, The Silver Studio, Victoria Gordon Art, We Are Burntout, and Wee Wishes already signed up.
“This date change came after serious consultation with exhibitors and retailers and now fits in better with the buying season,” Mark added. “Offering retailers an earlier chance to get their hands on new products and Christmas stock is both beneficial to them and their customers – in addition, it aligns the two Scottish shows better with a six-month gap between them. This move has brought us many new exciting exhibitors and we hope new buyers will also attend.
“Tourism has enjoyed a strong start in the first four months of 2023. Scotland’s attractions are experiencing good footfall which is flowing into the gift shops. This bodes well for the shops, for the suppliers and for Scotland’s Trade Fairs.”
Nancy Smillie, from the Nancy Smillie shops in Glasgow, is a fan of the regional event: “Scotland’s Trade Fair Autumn is important for us as we like to have local designers and that is the one place we always pick them up. We do go to other shows but Scotland’s Trade Fairs are the most important.”
Top: Scotland’s Trade Fair will kick off the autumn show season in August
