Gift Focus - Nov/Dec 2019 (Issue 116)

75 WALES SPRING FAIR Now in its 41 st year, Wales Spring Fair is growing from strength to strength, attracting new exhibitors, as well as the usual favourites. Situated in the heart of North Wales, Llandudno is a beautiful Victorian town that comes alive every January during Wales Spring Fair. The show has now cemented its place as Wales’s premier home and gift show, recognised by a steady increase in new exhibitors taking stand space every year, and 2020 is proving to be no exception to this. With constant new additions, the show ensures that there will always be something fresh and exciting for buyers. In response to increasing demand from buyers searching for high-quality products, the Wales Spring Fair team have worked tirelessly to carefully source new exhibitors. New names for 2020 include Coco Pzazz, Little Bit Different and Made With A Smile, among others. Lori Whinn, company founder of Coco Pzazz, said: “We’re excited about this event. It’s the first time that we have exhibited at the Welsh Spring Fair, and we have lots of new products to share with visitors.” Wales Spring Fair is a great opportunity for designer-makers who are interested in developing commercial trade prospects. Pretty Beautiful, a company which first exhibited in 2014, wanted to develop its business further by venturing into the world of trade shows and is now a firm favourite among buyers. Lyndsay Carter, proprietor of Pretty Beautiful, said: “The Wales Spring Fair gives us the opportunity to touch base with existing customers and to meet potential new stockists in a friendly, personal and relaxed environment. The show has proved to be a key feature in our year, in the growth of our business, and we always look forward to it!” Lots of favourite exhibitors, including Pretty Beautiful, are all set to return in 2020, including Richard Lang & Son Ltd, TY UK Ltd, GWP UK Ltd, On Track Wholesale and Pageant Wood Craft. The show is also welcoming back Cadwyn, Gwynedd Confectioners, Vanilla Jewellery, Max Rocks and An Unexpected Artist, all loyal exhibitors to Wales Spring Fair, showcasing all of their latest product ranges. Lucy Hay, An Unexpected Artist, exhibited for the first time in 2019 and said: “Wales Spring Fair was my first trade show. It provided me with an extremely easy platform from which to market to retailers in North Wales. Since then, I have continued to supply my retailers many times over.” Excellent feedback has been received from exhibitors and buyers alike every year since Venue Cymru took over the running of the show in 2012. Each year, this is taken on board to continue making the show bigger and better. Wales Spring Fair event manager Adrian La Trobe explains, “Over the years, buyers have specified a range of product areas that they would like to see more of at Wales Spring Fair. One of the ranges that kept being requested were hand-crafted and design-led gift and homeware, so this is where we have concentrated our focus.” This mission to attract more of these key exhibitors has resulted in a host of new exhibitors coming on board over the years, and after a few successful years of the Handcrafted in Wales Pavilion, many of these exhibitors are now fully established names within the show itself and respected stockists in the local area. For the first time, Wales Spring Fair will take place over three days instead of the usual four. With time such a precious asset to us all, the new three-day show will help to ensure that more companies are able to exhibit, taking advantage of displaying their newest must-have products while also being given the opportunity for face-to-face interactions and enhancing personal relationships with new and existing customers. For more information, please contact Shona Holmes-Berry or Adrian La Trobe on +44 (0)1492 879 771 or walesspringfair@venuecymru.co.uk You can register at the website walesspringfair.co.uk IN BRIEF Show Wales Spring Fair Organiser Venue Cymru Where Llandudno, Wales When 19 th –21 st January, 2020 Website walesspringfair.co.uk A spring in one’s step It’s hard to believe it’s already that time of year again, but Venue Cymru is busy preparing for its annual trade show, the Wales Spring Fair