Preview
Autumn Fair
Autumn Fair is back
Autumn Fair returns to the NEC, Birmingham from September 5-8 and promises to be jam-packed full of inspiring new products and collections from suppliers big and small. We take a look at some of the plans for the event and reveal what some of the exhibitors are launching for the upcoming season. Like all returning events, the organisers of Autumn Fair are keen to ensure everyone’s safety while getting back to business and reigniting the retail industry. There will be Covid status checks for all attendees on arrival – including exhibitors, visitors, contractors, venue staff and organisers. There are also Safe & Secure Guidelines to deliver top health and safety measures to put the show community at ease. Following the government’s latest guidance, and working in consultation with the Association of Event Organisers (AEO), all attendees will need to demonstrate proof of COVID-19 status for entry to the event via one of the following ways: ● Proof of completion of a full course of vaccination two weeks prior to arrival. ● Proof of a negative Lateral Flow Test taken within 48hrs of arrival (retaken and reported every 72hrs). ● Proof of natural immunity shown by a positive PCR test result for COVID-19, lasting for 180 days from the date of the positive test and following the self-isolation period. Further details on how to prove your COVID-19 status and FAQs can be found
at www.autumnfair.com/contact-us/visit-faqs. Ian Solomon, Operations Director, Hyve Group plc, said, “The health and safety of our customers and community have been, and continues to be, a top priority as we return to delivering events and facilitating trade again. As such, it was imperative for Autumn Fair and Moda to verify attendees’ COVID-19 status on arrival. Putting these checks in place adds an additional layer of reassurance for all attendees once they are inside the event. Furthermore, our risk assessment is substantial, and the updated Safe & Secure guidelines are designed to deliver industry-leading health and safety standards and procedures that will help put the minds of our community at ease.” Already the definitive marketplace for the home and gift industry, the upcoming Autumn Fair is set to be the largest Home, Gift and Fashion event for the autumn season. The focus on sustainability continues for Autumn Fair 21 with the launch of The Sustainability Library and other initiatives. The Sustainability Library allows visitors to connect with sustainable
“Autumn Fair are keen to ensure everyone’s safety while getting back to business and reigniting the retail industry”
don’t miss
#SBS Pavilion. Autumn Fair have continued their partnership with Theo Paphitis’ #SBS Small Business Sunday which is dedicated to showcasing new and unique products from ambitious start-ups and small businesses. 24 www.greetingstoday.media
brands exhibiting at the show, making it simple to discover the brands and suppliers that are striving to do their part towards a more sustainable and ethical future. Greetings and stationery brands already signed up to the Sustainability Library include Penguin Ink, VENT for Change and The Art File. Each exhibitor that is part of The Sustainability Library will be marked with a Leaf icon, helping visitors to find sustainable brands and suppliers quickly and easily. This will also be translated onsite with the sustainable exhibitors having this icon displayed on their stands. Sarah Laker, owner of Stationery Supplies adds: “I’m really looking forward to getting back to trade shows and attending Autumn Fair to hunt for sustainable stationery, greetings cards and gifts from independent UK businesses.” Also launching at Autumn Fair are the new Curated Meetings. Designed to offer a highly curated, time-efficient and no hassle match-making service where buyers and suppliers only take meetings with partners they have selected and approved, Curated Meetings provides a unique opportunity for buyers and suppliers to meet and kickstart long-term relationships and creates a better, more productive way to buy. At present over 500 meetings are planned across two days. Using the Curated Meetings online platform, buyers can filter for products that truly suit their desired aesthetic, product type, price range and beyond. You can pre-register now at autumnfair. com, and be sure to download the official Autumn Fair app. The full updated Safe and Secure Guidelines can be viewed at www. autumnfair.com/safe-secure with a dedicated section for exhibitors at www.autumnfair. com/safe-secure/guidelines-for-exhibitors.
