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Hello everyone. So what have we been up to? This month I’ve been looking at all the great footage recorded at the show. This all needs editing into a video that will capture the essence of our 2012 show and record it for posterity. This video will also act as a good taster for what people can expect from 2013. Once again we will showcase it on the home page of this website. There will be a different sound track and this year we are having a go at designing different titles. The hardest part of the task has been choosing between all the different great clips. What should I leave out when there is probably enough here to make 4 videos!! However I’ve taken some hard decisions and the video is finally taking shape and will be revealed to you sometime in May.

Your turn!!

As always I would welcome any feedback from yourselves – after all the video is intended for you. What would you like to see in a show video? What are you not interested in seeing? And the proverbial thorny question of whether it should auto play or not? You must have an opinion on this last one, I don’t think I’ve met anyone who hasn’t?!!

To get your thoughts going, here’s the video from our 2011 show. Enjoy it again as very soon it will no longer reside on this site (Don’t worry you will see be able to view it on our YouTube channel!)

As I wrote in a previous post we thought it was a buoyant show this year despite the economic climate. We had certainly put a lot of effort into some new innovations to make sure that our successful formula isn’t getting tired and to make sure we are moving with the times and using some of the new platforms that are available.

We hope you noticed and approved of some of these changes. To have at least some idea of this we emailed a survey to those of you who visited. Nearly 300 of you completed this and we have shared a detailed report of the results with those of you that did. I thought it would also be great to share a brief summary of our findings with anyone else who might be interested or visits this blog!

Here they are :-

Nearly 40% of you were new to the show.

Out of all of our new innovations the one-to-one surgeries were the ones you were most aware of before the show however less than 5% of you used them.

Both our Goody Bags and Prize Hamper had a good pre show awareness of over 75% but less than 10% of you would use them again. Our Naturally Trail also had a good pre show awareness and more of you made use of it at the show(16%) and would use it again(13%).

Our two new areas, ‘Regional Food and Drink Gift’ and ‘Newcomers Area’  had a reasonable level of preshow awareness of about 60% and about a quarter of you used these areas at the show and slightly less than this would use them again. It certainly seems that there is more we could do here in terms of publicity for these areas. The same can be said for our ‘Designed & Made in Britain’ which disappointingly only 50% of you said you were aware of before the show and yet this area had the highest figures for use while at the show and for desire to use again.

We used a variety of means to publicise the show this year including platforms such as Twitter.

It was great to see that over 90% of you were aware of the show website and nearly two thirds of you found it helpful or very helpful. Nearly 40% of you had also read the blog posts on the website with half of these people finding them helpful or very helpful. Out of those of you who had read the blog posts, a third of you found them very informative, a quarter of you found them very enjoyable and about a fifth of you would recommend them to a colleague. Thank you to those readers and please do get recommending! But also if you do think there are ways these posts could be more informative or enjoyable or just meet your needs better please leave me a comment so we can learn.

It was reassuring to see how helpful you find receiving your badge and show preview by mail (85%) and also the catalogue and floor plan at the show (82%). Direct emails with show info were looked at and found to differing degrees helpful by 93% of you (perhaps this is no surprise and the survey responses were gained via direct email!)

Finally we come to our newest platform of all, Twitter. Only 22% of those who responded said they were on Twitter and of these only 7% said they followed the show @giving_living. There is certainly work for us here in terms of increasing the awareness amoungst the Twitter community of the Show and the possibility of following it. It will also be interesting to see how that figure of 22% changes by the end of next years show. Twitter certainly seems a platform that is here to stay and numbers of those getting involved can surely only grow?!

February seems to have flown by, despite the extra day this year!

Giving & Living seems a warm fuzzy memory and for some of us even Spring Fair is now slipping in to the distance.

I asked a colleague what changes they had noticed at the largest gift fair in Britain and ‘more seating’ was the answer. My ears pricked up as just that week there had been discussion about whether to increase the casual seating at Giving & Living next year. We had noticed that a new area of relaxed seating had been much used near the entrance to Hall B and maybe a similar area should be created just inside Hall A? As yet this is just an idea but I decided to look for evidence that there is a need or desire…..

I have received lots of helpful responses to our post show survey so decided to look through the comments for anything relating to seating.

This comment stood out as being the only one! “More seating with tables for meetings etc”. And a further 3 or 4 people said there needed to be more seating in the catering areas especially for busy times of the day.

So what did I learn – NOT, that there is a huge demand for more places to take the weight off your weary feet while at the show – but, how valuable feedback from visitors is, in deciding what changes to make – or not to make – for the show next year.

Of course any survey is only an indicator of the overall picture and on this occasion people were not asked directly about seating, so if our initial hunch to expand the general seating available was right please make sure you comment below so we can take your views in to account or at least continue the debate – to seat or not to seat?

The atmosphere at the show this year seemed generally buoyant. We welcomed around 5,000 visitors through the doors. People seemed positive, enthusiastic and ready to buy!

I certainly had a great show and got the opportunity to meet some of you while filming this year’s video. Perhaps you chatted to me? Perhaps you were brave enough to do it to camera!?

I hope you had a good show too and achieved your aims. I’m sure you’ll have your own highlights and favourite bits.

For us the FSB (Federation of Small Business) sponsored newcomers’ area was a definite highlight. Also well received was the regional food and drink area. The industry experts offering retail surgeries for visitors, were kept busy throughout the four days.

One of my favourite stories was the one I heard about the 17 bank managers from the region. They were invited to the show by Business Mentors South West as the individuals tasked with managing the high growth business fund. Apparently none of them had ever been to a trade show before and they were encouraged to take their ties off for the occasion!

Did any of you spot this illustrious group of people walking the aisles?

Other visitors of interest were two researchers working on the next Mary Portas project for Channel 4. They chose our show as a good place to start to build up a picture of the gift industry. Perhaps they spoke to you? Perhaps you were able to share some valuable insights?

If so, I’d love to hear about it or indeed any of your highlights or interesting anecdotes from the show…………

We all like to see new companies at a trade show and nothing excites any of us more than the opportunity to see companies that have never exhibited before at any show.

This year at Giving & Living we’ve teamed up with the Federation of Small Businesses to create our special Newcomers Area. This area has been designed to showcase, to the rest of the country, fledgling companies from the South West -  importers, manufacturers and British designer-makers. The sponsorship of the FSB has enabled 10 lucky companies to exhibit at nearly a third of the cost providing they met the following criteria. They had to have been trading for less than 24 months, be from the South West region ( Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, Wiltshire, Gloucestershire) and most importantly have not participated in a trade show before.

We are excited to by the variety, innovation and creativity that has come forward.

Paper Garden

The ten companies include two card producers; Paper Garden is a new boutique greeting card publisher creating lovingly illustrated cards with the aim to supply design led retailers and galleries.  They offer a range of intricate, original and appealing designs, printed in England on premium quality card. Cosy Toast offer a vibrant new range of greetings cards and post cards, with a strong South West flavour.  Come and meet the designer and see how her ‘ansum designs will attract customers.

There is jewellery from Purple Penguins a new and exciting collection of high quality micron silver on bronze jewellery which will appeal to high street jewellers, upper end gift shops and boutiques.

For the home, Somerset Melamine Ltd manufacture melamine tablemats, coasters, kitchen boards, chopping boards, teapotstands and much more with exclusive licences.  They also make to customers own designs. No Sheep Required are a new and exciting company producing bespoke, unique, individual photographic headboards, sofa size and garden art.  From your photograph, their gallery or from their amazing range.  They can add that ‘wow factor’ to any home or garden.

No Sheep Required

Also for the home or office there is Design-A-Clock Ltd. These A4-sized wall clock allow the purchaser to design, print and change the clock face.  A perfect gift using photos of pictures downloaded from the internet as the clock face.  Companies can have their own wall clock or use them to advertise forthcoming promotions/events.

Perhaps a ‘gift for him’ from Fuse-Fob.Com. They are introducing a brand new concept in the hollow key-fob named Fuse-fob and it’s sister product Shell-Fob.  Fuse-fob is a key-fob containing 3x 13 amp fuses for people on the move and Shell-fob is a hollow key-fob which can carry many small objects.

Fuse-Fob.Com

Nightie Night could perhaps supply the  ‘gift for her’ as they are suppliers of high quality 100% cotton nightwear.

BOO Enterprise

Finally there are hand crafted ethical products from Madagascar, by BOO Enterprise. Stylish raffia handbags, beach and shopping baskets, as well as beautiful hand woven throws and a unique range of tableware.  Further gifts from around the world are being brought to us by Travellers Find Ltd.

We can’t wait to share these companies with you and hopefully, with your support, give them a great first show!

See you all in a couple of days

Getting fitter and loosing weight are two of the most popular New Year resolutions. We all know that exercise and keeping moving help us feel good and can help with weight loss. What better way to raise your activity levels for January than walking the aisles of both our show halls to check out the array of 400 exhibitors. This year to encourage you to reach every corner of the halls we have a Goodie Bag for the first 250 visitors through the door on both Sunday and Monday of the show.

Upon arrival you will be given a list of over 25 companies who are giving away free samples of their products. Then you just have to tract down their stand and fill your bag. Examples of what’s on offer can be seen below.

Suzie Blue Jewellery

Windhorse

Bomb Cosmetics

Panopoly UK

Seek Unique Ltd

British Fossils

Make sure you’ve got something comfortable on your feet and happy hunting!

If you can’t manage to get to the show on Sunday or Monday we might still be able to help you with a New Year’s resolution -  if yours is to eat better quality food or enjoy life more. On both Tuesday and Wednesday of the show we are giving away a hamper of South West food gifts to one lucky person. It could be you!

In our office later today we’ll be enjoying ‘Secret Santa’ This is a chance to raise a smile by exchanging gifts with each other and perhaps raise a few more while trying to guess who bought what for whom! The specifics were all determined weeks before through a secret draw of names from a tub. This was followed by complete secrecy of purchase and wrapping, then camouflaging of handwriting on tags and finally furtive placement of parcels in the designated Santa sack.

Excitement has mounted round the office, and there was even an attempt or two to try and coax clues from participants!

And finally the day is here – What will we all get and who has been the most thoughtful, funny or clever?

Jonathan Lynne

Working on the Giving & Living show certainly provides us all with lots of inspiration for gifts. I cant help but wishfully notice certain items as I move them between folders on my monitor. But with a budget of a fiver my hopes for this cute charm, to add that final touch to my Christmas day outfit, are likely to be dashed. I’ll probably get a soap on a rope like last year! No, really I did! – I think it was irony or some kind of deeply hurtful personal comment

Your turn!

Is ‘Secret Santa’ something enjoyed at your place of work, or do you have another interesting, fun or even weird annual custom? – Please share!

If anyone is bold enough to let us into their work place Christmas custom I’ll share with you some of our Santa’s Secrets in the New Year – GO ON!

We’re almost in to 2012 and what a big year it will be for Britain. The worlds eyes will be on us as we host the Olympics and I’m sure our Queens Diamond Jubilee will get more than a glance!

To mark both of these events there is a plethora of British flag waving gifts coming on to the market.

The Union Jack is appearing on everything from cards to canes

Paper Lollipop

Classic Canes

and covering everything in between!

Jonathan Lynne

Xpressions Gift Company

Elgate

Of course there are also items particularly showcasing the Jublilee such as those above from Elgate, who incidentally also offer us the Olympic mascots – what exactly are they?!

Lets hope that all these patriotic offerings are popular with ourselves, and the huge numbers of visitors expected, and give British retailers a boost.

Your turn!

What’s the most unusual object you’ve seen decorated with the Union Jack? And have you got a picture of it you could send? I’d love to hear from you.

Sometimes there’s more to companies than just profit. Take Beacons Creative Wales Ltd for example. They are a new and unique social firm producing a range of wax based products, such as their beautiful candles, whilst providing employment opportunities for people with learning difficulties. Born out of an eleven year day care service provided by Powys County Council, Beacons Creative, with the help of Social Firms Wales, was externalised in June 2009 to become a company limited by guarantee. The Company’s objective is to develop sales, create new products, provide employment opportunities for service users within a safe and caring environment, and transform this day care service into a successful and profitable business.

Beacons Creative products are now being sold all over U.K. To find out more about Beacons Creative see www.beaconscreative.co.uk or visit them at the show on stand B459 right in the heart of our ‘Designed and Made in Britain’ area.

It’s great to see a company like this doing so much for a vulnerable group of people in this country but it’s not just people with learning disabilities that are being helped through commerce, a number of our exhibitors offer a lifeline to people in developing countries through Fair Trade.

One such company is Boo Enterprise based in Devon but trading hand crafted ethical products from Madagascar.  Stylish raffia handbags, beach and shopping baskets, as well as beautiful hand woven throws and a unique range of tableware.

Boo Enterprise

They work closely with local communities, social development programs and established charities and aid organizations. They strive to create and maintain close, trusted working relationships with all associated with BOO Enterprise in order to create not just a fair trade and employment opportunity, but a trusted community network of support to help provide opportunities to move out of poverty.

To find out more go to www.booenterprise.com or come and visit the ‘BOO-tique!’ on stand B146. Alternatively, stumble across them as you follow our ‘Naturally Trail’ through the show!

If Fair Trade is what you are particularly interested in then look out for BAFTS on their very own stand BA153 at this years show.

The British Association for Fair Trade shops (BAFTS) Stand BA153 is a network of independent fair trade shops and recognised fair trade importers across the UK. They promote fair trade retailing in the UK, seek to raise the profile of fair trade on the High Street and provide a point of contact and communication for the exchange of ideas amongst their members. They currently have approaching 100 retail members and a similar number of recognised fair trade importers. Three of their members are also exhibiting at the show.

Just Buy UK Ltd (Stand A135) works directly with Kenya artisans to provide the UK market access to a range of high quality beaded wire craft and hand carved sculptures from local Kisii soapstone. For more info go to www.justbuyuk.co.uk

Gringo Imports (Stand A521) is a Fair Trade company who sell a range of ethically sourced beautifully handcrafted goods including Clothing, Accessories and Giftware from Bali, Nepal and India. All made by artisans in the developing world, helping them to make a better life for themselves and their families.www.gringo.uk.com

Nomads Clothing (Stand B515) launches Nomads Boutique of fair trade party dresses, holiday wear and organic cotton separates. Handmade jewellery and bags. Colourful scarves and sarongs and men’s cotton shirts. To see more go to www.nomadsclothing.co.uk

All three of these companies can be found, with many more, along our ‘Naturally Trail’. Look out for the logo!

That’s it really……. all the gifts, presents, treats…..ultimately they’re all about people. It’s people that make them, buy them, sell them, give them, get them and we hope love them!

So here are some ‘people shots’ from our exhibitors…..

Buttermilk Confections

Travis Designs

Classic Canes

Hunters Brewery

Kandy Toys

SSP Hats

Gone Crabbing