Gift Focus inc Attire Accessories - July/August 2020

19 NEWS & EVENTS British Craft Trade Fair runs online event Following the cancellation of the physical show, The British Craft Trade Fair (BCTF) ran an online, interactive exhibition for designer- makers that had already signed up for this year’s event. The online show was open to registered and approved buyers from 14 th -15 th June, from 10am to 5pm via the BCTF website. The next physical edition of BCTF will run as usual at the Yorkshire Event Centre in Harrogate from 11 th -13 th April, 2021. Speaking ahead of the digital event, show organiser, Margeret Bunn, said, “Like other exhibition organisers, we were forced to cancel this year’s Fair, which under normal circumstances would have been held at The Yorkshire Event Centre in April. Although we were devasted, an immediate decision was made to hold an online exhibition. Since then we have been putting in motion all the elements required to host a fantastic event, whilst continuing to support our community of designer-makers through online channels, with constant social media promotion and through our extensive business Help and Advice programme. “The uncertainty around whether scheduled Autumn gift fairs will be able to go ahead means more buyers will source from online initiatives. The timing of the event fits nicely into the Autumn buying period, giving retailers the opportunity to select and order stock for the reopening of their shops and for the Christmas period. I’m encouraged by the fact that the public is very keen to support local independent retailers and British-made products; in that respect we really are all in this together.” Visit www.bctf.co.uk Licensing Awards 2020 confirms new December date; extends entry deadline The Licensing Awards 2020 has confirmed that the awards event will be moving to the new date of Wednesday 16 th December 2020. Initially planned to take place on Wednesday 9 th September, the awards will remain at the Grosvenor House Hotel, London in its traditional evening slot. In addition, the deadlines for entering the various awards categories have been extended to 7 th August, though the period covered by these awards remains as before (31 st May 2019- 1 st June 2020). Ian Hyder, joint managing director of Max Publishing, which owns and organises The Licensing Awards, says, “With no guidance/direction on hospitality restrictions due to be announced by the government until July, we felt it was prudent to move the event towards the end of the year, when everyone will hopefully be able to celebrate safely together.” The Licensing Awards 2020 has the strong backing of major names in the industry as official sponsors. The headline sponsor of the awards is Brand Licensing Europe, with Licensing International being an official supporter. The finalists of The Licensing Awards will be announced later in the summer, while the winners will be unveiled at the evening extravaganza event held in The Great Room at The Grosvenor House Hotel on 16 th December, attended by more than 1,000 licensors, retailers and licensees. Tickets and tables can be reserved online by visiting Max-Tickets.net or by contacting Clare Hollick of Create Events: clare@createvents.co.uk or phone +44 (0)1183 340 085 . HOME & GIFT LAUNCHES DIGITAL EVENT HARROGATE@HOME The organisers of the Home & Gift show have announced the launch of Harrogate @ Home, a comprehensive online programme that has been designed to support, celebrate and champion the retail industry throughout this difficult period. In addition to a series of blog articles written by retail experts and exhibitors, Harrogate @ Home will include fortnightly webinars and culminate in a three-day virtual event on 20 th , 21 st and 22 nd July. Registrants will have exclusive access to exciting product launches and thought-led seminar sessions fronted by the show’s network of leading speakers. Show Director, Kelly Grant, comments, “Home & Gift, much like the retail industry it serves, has always been a show about people and it is our mission to still continue to bring our beloved industry together and champion it through shared learnings and genuine connection, even in the face of adversity. “Following the disappointing announcement that we had to postpone this year’s edition of the show, we wanted to ensure that the buying, networking and learning opportunities that many turn to Home & Gift for could still be accessible in some way. We hope that Harrogate @ Home provides our community of retailers and brands with the resources, connections and support needed to navigate these trying times and to keep looking ahead.” Harrogate @ Home launches on Tuesday 5 th May at 9:30am with an industry-leading webinar presented by Google Digital Garage on how to design a standout digital marketing strategy. To register, please visit www.homeandgift.co.uk/webinars.