Gift Focus inc Attire Accessories - January / February 2021

16 On with the show London Stationery Show announces new date Organisers have announced that the 2021 edition of London Stationery Show will take place from 18-19 May, 2021 at the Business Design Centre. Exhibitions in the UK have been halted over the course of the pandemic and were originally due to resume in October. The Government Department for Culture, Media and Sport has already approved the event industry’s COVID-19 guidance, and was also satisfied with pilot events which took place in September. It is now expected that events will be allowed to restart from March 2021. Alex Butler, event director, said, “We are confident that exhibitions will resume in the spring and to ensure we’re in the best position possible to host a second-to-none event, we have secured a slightly later date than usual for next year’s show. From speaking with exhibitors and visitors over the course of this year we know that everyone is craving the opportunity to meet face-to-face. The industry is in agreement that nothing can replace the organic business which comes from an exhibition. “The health and safety of everyone involved will continue to be at the core of our planning, and we will be working hard to communicate our plans to ensure everyone feels confident attending the show. We are ready to safely open London Stationery Show’s doors and cannot wait to see everyone there.” London Stationery Show will take place on Tuesday 18 th May and Wednesday 19 th May 2021. For more information contact the team at stationeryshow@oceanmedia.co.uk. Trade show updates from home and abroad SCOTLAND TRADE FAIRS SPRING GOES VIRTUAL IN THE WAKE OF THE PANDEMIC Scotland’s Trade Fair Spring has announced that it will become a virtual event in 2021 due to ongoing implications of COVID-19. The virtual event will remain online throughout 2021 to provide a resource for buyers all year. It will be available for them to dip in and out of when they are sourcing new suppliers and new ideas. Buyers have become used to using show websites as a sourcing tool throughout the year so Scotland’s Trade Fair online will continue to provide this service. It will be supported by a series of mini virtual events, throughout the year, to provide a focus on particular product sectors and retail themes to help buyers with buying and sourcing. Mark Saunders, show director says: “Restrictions on indoor events are likely to remain in place for some time yet. In addition, our regular venue, the SEC, as well as possible alternatives, are either supporting the NHS or are not operating as event venues until the Spring. As such we would prefer to remove the uncertainty and concentrate on events we can deliver. Therefore, we are planning to host Scotland’s Trade Fair as a virtual event in 2021.” Scotland’s Trade Fair Autumn has recently finished after six weeks as an online event and has helped keep buyers and suppliers connected. Jon Bishop owner of card company The Grey Earl, says, “Scotland’s Trade Fair Online was a really great opportunity, allowing me to reach an audience that I may not have found at a physical event. I gained an influx in social media followers and interest in my posts surrounding the event, as well as invitations to stock my work at new shops in Angus, Ayrshire, Stirlingshire and Perth and Kinross. “There has also been dialogue with independent stores in England as well and I’m currently working on some sample packs to forward on to these businesses. Opportunities like this really help to give brands like mine a sense of legitimacy for stockists interested in a maker’s work, but wanting an extra level of approval before committing to ordering. Undoubtedly this opportunity has helped my work stand out and given The Grey Earl a business platform to work from.” Online plans for Scotland’s Trade Fair 2021 will be announced shortly and will aim to ensure that Scotland’s Trade Fairs remain a useful resource for both buyers and suppliers until the team is able to run physical events once more, which it will do as soon as it is able to. Further details will be announced as soon as they become available. www.spring.scotlandstradefairs.co.uk Gibsons hosts virtual trade show With the news that Toy Fair and Spring Fair 2021 are no longer taking place, Gibsons, the 101-year-old jigsaw puzzle and board game company, will be hosting its very own virtual trade show. From 1-5 February, 2021, you will be able to partake in a private showcase of the company’s new products, have one-to-one meetings with the team to confirm listings for the year and take advantage of special show offers. Express your interest now by emailing show@gibsonsgames.co.uk to gain access to their virtual hub which is full of exclusive content.