Craft Focus - June/July 2020 (Issue 79)

14 Shows, news & events This season’s most unmissable events Diary dates Autumn Fair 6 th -9 th September, 2020 The NEC, Birmingham B40 1NT www.autumnfair.com London Stationery Show 11 th September, 2020 Business Design Centre, London www.stationeryshowlondon.co.uk Top Drawer 13 th -15 th September, 2020 Olympia, London www.topdrawer.co.uk New developments for CHSI Stitches ICHF Events is developing new features for CHSI Stitches 2021 including a Platinum Club buyer programme and additional opportunities for exhibitors. CHSI Stitches, the UK’s trade show for the creative craft industry, brings together designers, distributors and retailers at NEC, Birmingham every February. The newly planned Platinum Club at CHSI Stitches will focus on key buyers at the show, providing one-to-one support with pre-event planning, unlimited access to the club lounge and dedicated networking events. A Platinum Club team will also help buyers navigate the show floor and find the right products and suppliers. The CHSI team are also advancing plans for new opportunities for exhibitors including increasing involvement in workshops, the presentation theatre, catwalk and new trends area. Simon Burns, managing director, ICHF Events, says, “Show development for CHSI Stitches doesn’t stand still, even in these unprecedented times. The Stitches team are working hard behind the scenes to develop new programmes for buyers and exhibitors. We’re determined to help retailers and the craft industry and are building in new features and opportunities to create a trade show ready to do business in 2021.” The three-day trade event features a catwalk show, Trending Now showcase and a dedicated Bright Sparks area for the newest designers as well as workshops, presentations and industry exhibitors from across the world. New features for 2020 included a Creative Dragons area giving entrepreneurs the chance to pitch new ideas to a panel of industry experts and the Business Hub providing visitors with a free, private and confidential business consultation. Steve Mitchell, show director, said: “Stitches continues to evolve and new initiatives such as the Platinum Club respond to the ever-changing needs of buyers and exhibitors. Interactivity will always be a top priority for us and we’re pleased to be able to offer even more opportunities for our exhibitors to showcase their product lines beyond their stands.” CHSI Stitches 2020 also unveiled the 2020 Craft Report to visitors and exhibitors, presenting key data on the creative craft industry, consumer and social change and its impact on audience growth. The Craft Report research, commissioned by ICHF, is gathered via qualitative interviews and focus groups as well as quantitative questionnaires, with a combined sample in excess of 3,000 dedicated crafters in the UK. Organised by ICHF Events, CHSI Stitches has been at the heart of the craft industry for more than 40 years. CHSI Stitches 2021 will take place from 21 st -23 rd February, 2021 at the NEC, Birmingham, UK. For more information visit www.chsi.co.uk. To discuss exhibiting options contact Steve Mitchell on +44 (0)1425 460 811 or email  stevem@ichf.co.uk