GCA CEO Amanda Fergusson recently met with the Hyve team, including Daniel Mayhew and Charlotte Forshaw (pictured), to discuss member feedback and look ahead to Spring Fair and Autumn Fair 2023.
Autumn Fair 2023
Below are some top tips and marketing opportunities aimed at maximising the traffic to your stand.
If you have already booked your space at this show do read your exhibitors pack and make sure you have completed all your company details, and the contact information you wish to appear on your online profile and the official show app. Also ensure you are taking advantage of all the marketing opportunities, including social media graphics and invites to the show (accessed via the Exhibitor Zone).
There is an additional marketing opportunity for GCA members, plus some top tips below from Hyve for displaying your product without incurring additional costs.
Send a Card, Deliver a Smile GCA feature wall!
Hyve have agreed to provide GCA members with a 2 freestanding walls, one of which will have a display of Thinking of You cards to promote and celebrate card sending (similar to the wall at Spring Fair, above right). The wall will be in the heart of the show, Hall 6 E31-F33. This is an addition marketing opportunity to direct buyers to your stand and promote card sending.
The large feature block wall will promote Feel Good general friendship, Thinking of You cards – encouraging everyone to ‘send a card and deliver a smile’.
To take part in this additional marketing opportunity:
- Select up to 6 cards that you’d like to add to the display.
- Fix a small label to the bottom right on the front of each card detailing your company name and your stand number at the show (this is important as it will direct visitors to your stand)
- Pack these designs up and label them ‘For the attention of Charlotte Forshaw, GCA greeting card display, and deliver to organisers office by Saturday 2nd September 2023
Hyve Tips to enhance your stand without using paint
Changes in the contractor agreement mean that exhibitors need to pay for repainting of the stands. To avoid this extra cost the Spring & Autumn Fair team at Hyve have shared these tips for GCA members:
- Wallpaper, craft paper, murals and lightweight materials, such as cardboard, can be stapled to the wooden panels to fill part or all of your stand space. Cards can then be attached to these coverings and this look can be enhanced by using frames.
- Vinyl stickers/branding can be stuck to the panels to create interest
- Many brands have their logo made from 3D lettering, made from foamex, laser cut wood or printed onto a shape/box (all above eye level). These are a great sustainable option that can be re-used at future shows.
- Coloured shelves can add visual interest
- Many brands bring individual display pieces which showcase their brand and personality including frames, bunting, bespoke furniture
- Brands can enhance their stand by using vinyl flooring, available in different patterns, coloured carpet and even artificial grass
With new brands joining the show, we always recommend to dress your stand as if you had a pop up in a retail space for 4 days.
Show your brand, your personality and be memorable! The Spring Fair 2023 Exhibitor Zone and Online Manual is where you’ll find information relating to your exhibition stand (including specifications of the Traditional Shell Scheme wooden panels and weight restrictions), as well as how to order any additional items and forms to be completed ahead of the show. If you have any questions before, please contact your Account Manager.
Hyve is launching Connect @ Autumn Fair.
This will transform how the retail community connect and do business via mutually agreed meetings. Buyers discover the brands and products their businesses need, and suppliers. For the first time, exhibitors will have visibility of the buyers pre-show who have connected with the platform. Never before has this been at exhibitors fingertips. This is a game changer for how business gets done and all meetings will be held on exhibitors stands.
Daniel Mayhew, Event Director, Spring & Autumn Fair – Hyve Group plc
More information on this can be found here – https://www.autumnfair.com/connect-autumn-fair2
More information
If you are exhibiting at Spring or Autumn Fair for the first time do look at the GCA Debut area where there is a discount for GCA members exhibiting for the first time.
Also see Starting up – Trade Shows