Gift Focus - Jan/Feb 2020 (Issue 117)

14 Tenth Design Student Seminar at Toy Fair The British Toy and Hobby Association (BTHA) has announced the lineup for the 10 th annual Design Student Seminar at Toy Fair 2020. The event will take place on Thursday 23 rd January in the Apex Room at Olympia, London, where more than 120 students are registered to attend. The Design Student Seminar is an annual event organised by the BTHA. The event is aimed at current design students to encourage them to consider a career in the toy industry, and features presentations from leading industry experts. Talks cover diverse subjects from the process of designing a toy, to legal and IP protection. This year, speakers include Billy Langsworthy, co-founder of Mojo Nation, who will give an introduction to the world of toy design. He will be joined by Emma May, CEO/ creative director at Emmerse Studios Ltd, Matt Burtonwood of Open2Designs and David Fry of Agile IP LLP. More than 100 students attended the seminar at Toy Fair 2019, which included speakers from iLLUMiARTi Ltd and Toy Pioneers Club. “It’s integral that, as an industry, we do all we can do to encourage a fresh wave of product design talent to choose the toy and game space as a career destination,” said Billy Langsworthy, co-founder of Mojo Nation Ltd. “The Design Student Seminar remains a brilliant means of showcasing the sector to the next generation of top inventor talent.” Toy Fair takes place at Olympia, London from 21 st -23 rd January, 2020. To register for a free pass to the show simply visit toyfair.co.uk. New ‘Power of One’ Transparency Award Spring Fair is launching the ‘Power of One’ Transparency Award for 2020. Spring & Autumn Fair’s #PowerOfOne campaign supports and encourages retailers and their suppliers to make changes that’ll protect the planet and inspire sustainable behaviours. Hyve Group is now extending the initiative to supply chain ethics with the Power of One Transparency Award, supported by Sedex, one of the world’s leading ethical trade service providers working to improve working conditions in global supply chains. Entries are being accepted from Spring Fair exhibitors through the show’s website at this address: springfair.com/power-of-one-transparency-award. As well as responding to a series of questions, entrants are encouraged to upload evidence that showcases their efforts to ensure their supply chain upholds the highest standards of responsibility. Julie Driscoll, Hyve Group regional manager for Spring Fair, said: “Retail brands are under pressure from governments, consumers, NGOs, and other stakeholders to divulge more information about their supply chains, and the reputational cost of failing to meet these demands can be high. “Concurrently, consumers are rewarding retail businesses that are championing socially responsible behaviours and taking action to elevate their ethical behaviours in all the communities they impact. “Spring Fair has a long history of encouraging activism in the retail industry. Our ‘Power of One’ campaign continues to support and encourage retailers and their suppliers to make changes that will protect the planet and inspire sustainable behaviours. Now, we want to highlight the issue of supply chain transparency and encourage awareness and improvement throughout the industry.” Entries will be judged by a panel of industry experts and the winner will be announced on the Inspiring Retail Stage, with the date and time still to be released. Supporting the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, the Power of One campaign seeks to demonstrate how a combination of small, individual changes can create a more sustainable future for all. LOOKING AHEAD CHSI Stitches When: 16 th -18 th February, 2020 Where: NEC Birmingham Website: chsi.co.uk SARCDA Africa 2020 When: 11 th -13 th March, 2020 Where: Gallagher Convention Centre, Midrand, South Africa Website: sarcda.co.za Inspired Home Show When: 14 th -17 th March, 2020 Where: McCormick Place, Chicago, US Website: housewares.org Cultural Enterprises Conference & Trade Show When: 19 th -20 th March, 2020 Where: Harrogate Convention Centre Website: culturalenterprises.org.uk/ conference2020 Farm Shop & Deli Show When: 30 th March-1 st April, 2020 Where: NEC, Birmingham Website: farmshopanddelishow.co.uk British Craft Trade Fair When: 4 th -7 th April, 2020 Where: Yorkshire Event Centre, Harrogate Website: bctf.co.uk IHGF Delhi Fair When: 15 th -19 th April, 2020 Where: India Exposition Mart Website: epch.com Hong Kong Gifts & Premium Fair When: 27 th -30 th April, 2020 Where: Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre Website: event.hktdc.com The London Stationery Show When: 21 st -22 nd April, 2020 Where: stationeryshowlondon.co.uk Website: Business Design Centre, Islington, London For further in-depth show previews and reports, turn to: p.67 IHGF Delhi Fair p.71 Cultural Enterprises Conference & Trade Show p.72 NY NOW p.74 Ambiente preview p.76 SARCDA Gift fair p.79 Spring Fair preview