Craft Focus - April/May 2021 (Issue 84)

26 ICHF Events signs new three-year tenancy with the NEC Following an incredibly tough year for the MICE industry, ICHF events has announced a new three-year tenancy agreement with the NEC, Birmingham. With live events unable to run since March 2020, leading craft, hobby and lifestyle event organiser ICHF Events has successfully diversified into providing online content via demonstrations, shopping and virtual events. However, following a positive start to the new year with the vaccine roll out and the hope for the imminent lifting of restrictions ICHF Events are looking forward to getting back to their core business. With events scheduled to take place from June, the NEC will be one of the first venues to work with ICHF Events in providing a Covid secure event for their visitors. Managing directors, Simon Burns says “We’re delighted to have signed a three-year deal with the NEC, we stage some of our largest events there and our visitors expect the great facilities and level of service that the NEC provides. We look forward to continuing to strengthen our relationship with the team at the NEC which is already built on longevity.” ICHF Events run events at the NEC across the calendar year including Cake International, the world leading event and competition for the cake decorating and sugar craft enthusiasts; CHSI Stitches, the UK’s trade show for the creative craft industry; the Creative Craft Show, a series of craft events for new and established crafters looking to shop and be inspired; Simply Christmas, the ultimate seasonal gifting event; Sewing for Pleasure and Fashion & Embroidery, niche events for the growing stitching community. Janine Smith, venue sales director of NEC Group Conventions & Exhibitions, commented: “We thoroughly enjoy working with ICHF Events and hosting their array of wonderful craft, hobby and lifestyle shows at our venue. We are delighted that the NEC will be home to these fantastic events for at least another three years and we look forward to welcoming their visitors back to the venue soon.” Consumer Goods Digital Day: Sanjay Sauldie as keynote speaker Trends, know-how, orders and, above all, practice-oriented approaches to solutions − this is exactly what the international consumer goods industry needs during and after the pandemic. The Consumer Goods Digital Day is putting together an exciting digital conference programme for this purpose on 20 th April, 2021. Sanjay Sauldie will open the day with a plea to actively shape the digital transformation in retail. In parallel, there will be the opportunity to order directly from more than 300 companies via Nextrade. Participation in the Consumer Goods Digital Day is free of charge. “With the Consumer Goods Digital Day, we offer the entire consumer goods industry a day with a future-oriented live programme that addresses the current challenges and opportunities. Whether while working from home or from a workplace in Germany, Europe or America − everyone can put together their own perfect lecture programme from this and will be provided with sustainable solutions in the current situation”, says Julia Uherek, group show director Consumer Goods Fairs, Messe Frankfurt Exhibition GmbH. The Consumer Goods Digital Day is scheduled from 10am to 8pm (CET). It thus offers participants from different time zones an inspirational programme that encourages exchange and provides valuable information, tips and orientation for the ‘new’ everyday business life in and after the pandemic. Prominent speakers are on board. New opportunities through digital transformation and current retail trends that are gaining momentum due to the pandemic will be the topic of renowned management consultant and speaker Sanjay Sauldie. He’s the director of the European Internet Marketing Institute EIMIA, Mannheim, and an expert on the topics of disruptive innovations and digital transformation. The four consumer-goods fairs, Christmasworld, Paperworld and Creativeworld, as well as Ambiente, will be held again as usual in 2022: Christmasworld: 28 th January to 1 st February, 2022; Paperworld and Creativeworld: 29 th January to 1 st February, 2022. Further information and details can be found: www.consumergoodsdigitalday.messefrankfurt.com