24 Face to Face: CHSI Stitches returns CHSI Stitches returns to the NEC on 27th-28th February, 2022. Event Director Steve Mitchell says: “This length of time without a face-to-face trade event is unprecedented in the craft industry and we know there’s a huge appetite for meeting in person again. This is the show that brings together our industry and it’s been much missed. We’re excited to be providing craft businesses with their first opportunity for personal contact with buyers in two years. “There’s a growing demand out there for craft, with much of the new interest driven by the events of the last two years. The annual Craft Report, presented at the show, will deliver valuable insights to businesses to enable them to capitalise on this growth and the latest trends. Combined with our speaker line up this year, the highest profile to date, we have an unmissable event, and we can’t wait to welcome the industry back.” A brand new two-day format will deliver valuable content and experiences to key industry buyers and connect them with the industry’s leading brands and products. Features confirmed to date include: • The Craft Report 2022. It’s the fifth year of this core industry report and the 2022 presentation will include a headline trends update as well as a special report on Going Green: Crafting to Net Zero. If you make it to one presentation, make it this one. • Insights Hub – expect the highest profile speaker line up to date. • Networking events from the Craft Network – forget Zoom, catch up on those all-important face-to-face chats here. • The largest selection of brand-new products under one roof. There’s no substitute for seeing the products firsthand. For further information, visit: www.chsi.co.uk Details correct at time of going to press. Scotland’s Trade Fair Spring is back! Scotland’s Trade Fair Spring is back in person, in Glasgow from 23rd-25th January, 2022. With a raft of interesting and innovative exhibitors clamouring for stands, this is a not-to-be missed event for retailers north and south of the border. Following the successful re-introduction of Scotland’s Trade Fair Autumn in September where business was brisk and retailers were quick to place orders, it seems that the industry is looking forward with confidence and returning to the bigger January Show. Here some 500 exhibitors will showcase their products from gifts to crafts and jewellery to textiles at the Scottish Exhibition Centre. Scotland’s Trade Fair Online has been busy throughout 2021, keeping 175 suppliers and over 2000 retailers in touch all year with a combination of an online product directory and live product sessions. Scotland’s Trade Fair Spring is more than just a buying show, it will also have Best Product Awards, workshops, talks from experts, networking opportunities and more. The Launch Gallery and Craft Gallery will be a hotbed of creativity and is often the first stop for many retailers. Nothing beats the actual face-to-face interaction that visits to trade shows facilitate, where buyers can meet with suppliers and where they can feel the quality of products, and choose colours, ranges and sizes, which has been so missed over the last 18 months. Helen Crawford from the Old School gift shop in Beauly emphasised: “We always think of the Scottish Show as an opportunity to cement existing supplier relationships, meet the ‘new kids on the block’ and touch base with our fellow retailers. If you want the best commercial Scottish products, this trade show is an unmissable date in the buying calendar!” Chris Lewis from Chris Lewis Silver who exhibited at the recent Autumn Show said: “Scotland’s Trade Fairs never fail to provide me with the results that I hope for. I’ve never done one of your shows and not hit my target.” Show Director Mark Saunders said: “After such a tough period for the retail industry in Scotland we’re delighted to be back in January. Interest for the show from potential exhibitors has been positive and we’re pleased to be showcasing many new and innovative producers from Scotland, the UK and beyond. We aim to be a one-stop show for all independent retailers in Scotland and northern England. However much online ordering has advanced recently, nothing quite beats seeing and feeling the products in person, networking and re-connecting with the industry. We look forward to welcoming you all on 23rd January, 2022.” For further information, visit www.scotlandstradefairs.co.uk
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