Spring and Autumn Fairs form advisory board to develop and grow events

UK trade shows Spring & Autumn Fair have created a new Advisory Board “to drive the continuous enhancement of the two shows and ensure that UK retail has a thriving marketplace in which to do business”.

Organiser Hyve Group is well known for its various projects to engage exhibitors and visitors and enhance its shows and on this occasion with 15 of the industry’s leading figureheads brought in to “provide valuable industry insight and advice assisting in the on-going development and growth of Spring & Autumn Fair”.

The new board is chaired by Stephen Spencer, Ambience Director at Stephen Spencer + Associates, and comprises: John Halliday (British Independent Retailers Association), Sarah Ward (Giftware Association), Karen Wilson (Greetings Card Association), Ben Massey (National Association of Jewellers), exhibitors including Stephen Illingworth (Widdop & Co), Nick Ronald (Casa Verde), Aylish Ellwood (Enesco), Tim Hollis (Talking Tables), Jason Bensohn (One Dot World) as well retailers Kay Hutcheson (Coopers of Stortford), Samantha Gibbs (Nest), and Maggie Thornton (Alligator Pear).

Spencer said: “Innovation, arising out of genuine collaboration, are key not only to future-proofing these shows, but also to helping shape the future of the Gift and Home sectors out on the High Street. We’re fortunate indeed to have such an array of talent and experience on the Board.”

Jackson Szabo, Portfolio Director at Spring & Autumn Fair added: “Spring Fair has brought the retail industry together for over 70 years and Autumn Fair for over 30 years they have become the nucleus of the industry and enabled so much great business to be done.”