The Giftware Association’s Gift of the Year Awards 2011 will occupy the industry’s biggest stage next February when the winning and highly commended products are announced at Spring Fair International.

 
Fair organiser, Emap Connect will become the new headline sponsor of the awards: existing sponsors have already pledged their continuing support.

Isabel Martinson, chief executive of The Giftware Association, said: “The format of the competition and its time frame have evolved over more than three decades and in order to build on the success of the Gift of the Year Awards we have accepted Emap’s kind offer to return to Spring Fair and the NEC.

“It means that those companies who are successful in the 2011 competition will have their products seen by thousands of buyers who visit their stands and The GA’s Gift of the Year House throughout the show.

“This will not only enable them to maximise their sales opportunities at the UK’s greatest gift and home event, but give them a springboard for the rest of the year and throughout the key festive trading period.”

Louise Young, managing director of Emap Connect Home & Gift, said: “Spring Fair is the heartbeat of the industry and the largest platform for launching new product, so it is fitting that those products judged by retailers to be the best should have the highest possible profile at the show that focuses on great design and quality. As long standing and committed supporters of The Gift of the Year Awards we are delighted to put our weight behind such a prestigious competition.”

All the shortlisted products can be viewed in the Gift of the Year House on the Sunday morning of Spring Fair (February 6). The winning and highly commended labels will be added after the evening drinks reception and awards ceremony, to which all finalists, sponsors, judges and the press will be invited.

The 2011 Gift of the Year competition opens from on September 1st and the entry deadline is the end of this November. A panel of retailers will carry out the first phase of judging online in December and  shortlisted products will be announced at the beginning of January, together with a call for them to be sent to The GA for the final round of judging, which will take place two weeks before Spring Fair. Suppliers may enter any product launched since April 2010 for Gift of the Year 2011.

Isabel said: “Gift of the Year offers companies a unique opportunity to present their products to influential retailers. Those who have won or been highly commended  reap the benefit through enhanced sales and great publicity.
In February, suppliers that are successful will have the terrific sales platform that is Spring Fair. I would urge everyone with products of quality to enter.”

Any retailer interested in becoming a judge should contact Isabel.