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Industry News
Cheers To Progressive Gifts’ 25th Anniversary Corks Pop At Harrogate’s Home & Gift Show An unexpected surprise gift for some special exhibitors at Home & Gift in Harrogate in July was a very special, commemorative bottle of bubbly, courtesy of Progressive Gifts & Home, to celebrate the magazine’s milestone 25th silver anniversary. Each bottle had a specially printed label featuring the words: “Thanks for being part of our 25 year vintage!” “The champagne was a huge ‘thank you’ to the companies who have supported Progressive Gifts from the very first issue in July 1998, to include Joe Davies and Heart of the Country,” explained Progressive Gifts & Home’s advertisement manager Angie Bryant. “We also wanted to say a big ‘thank you’ to all the companies who supported our July/August special 25th anniversary edition of the magazine.” Commenting, Steve Davies, managing director of Joe Davies, said he was thrilled to receive his bottle of bubbly. “We were featured in the very first issue of the magazine 25 years ago, and have supported Progressive Gifts & Home ever since,” he told PG&H. Also delighted with her bottle of champagne was Gisela Graham, whose eponymous company is currently celebrating 35 years. “What a lovely surprise!” she enthused. “Congratulations to Progressive Gifts on the magazine’s 25th milestone year.”
Below: Joe Davies’ Steve Davies is shown receiving his bottle of 25th anniversary bubbly from Progressive Gifts & Home’s Angie Bryant. Bottom: What a really good idea! Really Good/Soul’s founder and managing director David Hicks with his bottle of champers.
GA Chairman Smashes Fund Raising Goal The Giftware Association’s chairman, Jeremy Corner, managing director of Blue Eyed Sun, recently smashed his fundraising goal of £3,000 for the Christina Noble Children’s Foundation, raising almost £4,00 to include gift aid amounts. Together with eight friends, all on KTM 450 Enduro off-road motorbikes, Jeremy’s fund raising trip saw him take on the Gobi Desert. While there, he was able to see first hand the difference the money will be making when he visited the Blue Skies Village and met with the children and social workers living there. The charity helps children and impoverished families in desperate need on streets of Ulaanbataar. Above: Jeremy Corner with some of the children from the Blue Skies Village.
Home & Gift Rumours Unfounded It will be ‘business as usual’ at 2019’s Home & Gift in Harrogate, with Neil Gaisford, managing director of Clarion Events, quick to quash rumours about the grounds of the Majestic hotel, being unavailable for the Design Points and Greetings and Stationery marquees next year. “Everything is most definitely staying put for the foreseeable future!” Neil told PG&H. Sparking the rumours was the fact that the Majestic will become a DoubleTree by Hilton next year, with the hotel undergoing a £15 million refurbishment programme. Above: Visitors relaxing in the grounds of the Majestic in Harrogate. Right: Clarion Events’ managing director Neil Gaisford.
Excellent Hat Trick For Bira A panel of judges have voted The British Independent Retailers Association (bira) as finalists in three categories for the prestigious Association Excellence Awards 2018. bira has been shortlisted for Best Association Website, Best Association Newsletter and Best Association Magazine. The winners will be announced at a lunchtime awards ceremony at The Kia Oval on Friday October 12. Above: Alan Hawkins with team bira.
Showcasing Thai Innovation
HOMI Celebrates Italian Style
Bangkok’s Style trade show - which includes the Bangkok International Gift Fair (BIG) and the Bangkok International Housewares Fair (BIH) - will be back at BITEC in Bangna, from October 17-21. The shows will be co-located with the Bangkok International Fashion Fair and the Bangkok International Leather Fair (BIFF and BIL), as well as the Thailand International Furniture Fair (TIFF). The three major annual shows will feature leading exhibitors from niche markets, with product sectors including elderly care products, baby, kids and mum products, as well as Danish design award winning products. Networking opportunities will also be available with ASEAN countries. Additionally, visitors will also be able to make the most of seminars, business matching opportunities and catwalk fashion shows. Lifestyle is organised by the Department of International Trade Promotion at the Ministry of Commerce. Visit www.stylebangkokfair.com Above: Bangkok’s Style show takes place in October.
Gifts, home, jewellery, fashion accessories and kitchen & dining will shortly be celebrated at Milan’s lifestyle show HOMI, which will be unveiling its 10th edition when it opens its doors from September 14-17 at Fieramilano. Products will bring together the traditions of Italian culture with innovative new developments in design and materials. There will also be a focus on lifestyle macro trends, highlighted by a new WGSN study in the Trends area. Visit www.homimilano.com
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