• New Design & Source sector to provide additional selling opportunities for exhibitors
• The Club programme to further increase Platinum members
• More new features and show innovations to be revealed in the run up to Autumn Fair 2020

Hyve Group has today announced a series of industry leading new initiatives for Spring and Autumn Fair – the UK’s number one marketplaces for the home and gift sector – all targeted at responding to the rapidly changing industry for exhibitors and visitors alike.

Following the success of the designated Sourcing sector at Autumn Fair 2019 and Spring Fair 2020, alongside overwhelmingly positive exhibitor and visitor feedback, Hyve Group will be expanding its sourcing proposition to create an updated show sector: Design and Source.

For Autumn Fair 2020 and Spring Fair 2021, the rebranded area will incorporate a host of fresh and on-trend exhibitors in the consumer electronics, tableware, lighting, textiles, surface pattern design, ceiling moulding and flooring sectors.

Providing more selling opportunities than ever before, Hyve Group also has plans to attract new buying and influencing groups from the specifier and interior design space, as well as professionals from hospitality and destination retail – all of which have been growing visitor segments for previous shows.

In addition, Hyve Group plan to further expand the shows’ Club programme – a tiered initiative for show VIPs, featuring Platinum, Gold and Silver levels of membership – with additional investment for Autumn Fair 2020.

The show will see more Platinum members hosted during the event, and the Club’s Platinum and Gold members will pre-qualify for Autumn Fair’s programme of dedicated speed networking sessions, Pitch It, helping facilitate essential connections between exhibitors and the show’s best sales opportunities.

Speaking after a Pitch It session at Spring Fair 2020, exhibitor Janna Cossettini of Deckled Edge said: “The speed dating concept was really good. I made three great new contacts and even got a direct email from a buyer at Waitrose. I’ve also got interest from some international distributors from the US and Taiwan.”

Beena Muthal-Puredath, Senior Sourcing Manager from John Lewis said, “It was really great. I have not thought of meeting suppliers from South Africa but now this is something I would like to look into as a result of Pitch It. It is a great program. Definitely recommend it.”

The launch of The Club and Pitch It at Autumn Fair 2020 and Spring Fair 2021, comes following their successful introduction at Spring Fair 2020.

Spring Fair 2020, which wrapped up on Thursday (6^th February), saw a host of top industry suppliers and retailers connect to sell and source the leading products for key buying periods throughout the year ahead. With Q&A sessions with two giants of broadcasting, Mary Berry and Mary Portas, leading the seminar line-up, retail insight and expertise wasn’t difficult to come by. Visitors enjoyed expert trends advice also from colour-experts Colour Hive, who were on hand throughout the show to share their knowledge on the colours to watch in 2020/21.

With sustainability top of the Spring Fair agenda, retailers were encouraged to visit environmentally conscious exhibitors throughout the show, highlighted by the new Sustainability Trail initiative. The Trail celebrated and showcased those exhibitors who had committed to sustainable practices such as using recyclable or biodegradable packaging and ensuring ethical sourcing practices.

Julie Driscoll, Hyve Group Regional Director for Spring & Autumn Fair commented: “The retail sector is ever-evolving, and as a voice and representative of our industry, we vow to never become complacent with our events. Instead, we’re continuously listening to suppliers and buyers alike, and we’re revamping plans for the year ahead to provide bold and inspiring show sectors and at-show initiatives that truly reflect what they want to see.

“While we’re closing the NEC doors following one of the most well-attended and successful Spring Fairs to date, we’ve already got our sights set on finalising a host of exciting plans for Autumn Fair 2020 and beyond. We’re keeping some under wraps for now, and will announce these in the run up to September’s show – watch this space!”

Autumn Fair will take place on September 6-9, 2020 at the NEC, Birmingham.

To find out more about exhibiting at the show, visit: http://bit.ly/2Ue4LKa