Craft Focus - Feb/Mar (Issue 71)

shows, news and events Our roundup of this season’s most unmissable events CHSI Stitches 17 th -19 th February, 2019 NEC Birmingham chsi.co.uk British Craft Trade Fair 7 th -9 th April, 2019 Yorkshire Event Centre, Harrogate bctf.co.uk Stationery Show London 30 th April – 3 rd May, 2019 Business Design Centre stationeryshow.co.uk DIARY DATES MESSE FRANKFURT SETS NEW SALES RECORD Show organiser Messe Frankfurt continued its financial growth in 2018, with sales in the region of €715 million. Last year it held more than 490 events, which were attended by almost 102,000 exhibitors and an estimated 4.5 million visitors. The company’s Creativeworld, Paperworld and Christmasworld shows proved to be key buying events for craft retailers once again. “We have further globalised our brands and stepped up the pace of our worldwide acquisition activities,” comments Wolfgang Marzin, president and chief executive officer. “More exhibitors than ever before have put their trust in us and invested in interaction formats. Messe Frankfurt is a pillar of strength in the fast-moving digital age.” Go to messefrankfurt.com for details of upcoming exhibitions. STATIONERY AWARDS EXPANDS TO WELCOME RETAILERS AND DESIGNERS The Stationery Awards has been expanded to include retailer entries and a new Stationery Designer of the Year category for the first time. The new retailer focus will allow both specialists and those who sell stationery as part of their offer to be eligible for five honours, designed to recognise and benchmark good practice and innovation within the sector. The new categories are Best Customer Experience Initiative, Best POS/Merchandised Display of Stationery, New Store of the Year, Best Specialist Stationery Retailer and Best Non-Specialist Retailer. Entries should relate to the past year of trading, from January 2018 to January 2019. The closing date to apply is 15 th February. Retailers can enter themselves or be nominated by agents, account managers and suppliers. The Stationery Designer of the Year category will be sponsored by GO Stationery. Entrants will compete to work with the company’s experienced production and sales team to see their ideas made and sold to retailers throughout the UK. Entries must be received by 28 th February. “We would encourage everyone to upload photos and POS images to support their entries,” says event manager Hazel Fieldwick. “Dig out those photos you took of things that worked in your stationery department, window or shop last year and get your forms done!” In a change from previous years, the Stationery Awards are now open for all relevant retailers, even those not exhibiting at Stationery Show London. Suppliers have until 29 th March to enter. The winners will be revealed in an evening ceremony on 30 th April. The show takes place on 30 th April and 1 st May at the Business Design Centre, London. Visit stationeryshowlondon.co.uk for details. craft focus 25 shows and events