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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

As the show gets nearer one of the perks of my job is getting to see lots of great images of the products that are going to be available …

Here are four of my favourites:

Woopsbuni Enchanted Gifts

The Celtic Herbal Company

Skaramanda

Buttermilk Confections

Don’t they all look good enough to eat? But I’d only recommend it with the last one!!

To find out more about the companies who supplied them see our Exhibitor List.

“The show is excellent, great atmosphere, good setting, good pace with time to get to know suppliers.”
“There is a good mix of products to suit most tastes and pockets, its at a good time of the year.”
“Plenty to see but not too large as to be difficult to get round to everything.”

I think the three quotes above epitomise what you said when asked about the strengths of the Giving & Living show in our survey this year.

On a practical level loads of you also talked about the venue. How it is easy to find, accessible and has ample free parking. You said that the show is, “well laid out with a good spread of suppliers.” One surprise was the couple of comments which referred to the show being an ideal temperature, “not too hot”!?

There were comments about how good the catalogue was, although a few of you would like it available before the show. I wonder how common this is, should we be considering it for this year?
If you feel strongly either way please leave me a comment.

The concept of space came up a number of times and I wonder could there be any connection with the greater amount of space in the South West generally. That feeling of space around us that we maybe recreate when organising events?!  “There was space to see the stands clearly, room to sit and think about the orders”, “plenty of space”and “space to move around”

How does this link with the comments about the shows’ relaxed and friendly atmosphere? “More time to view and stop to ask about the products.”  “Its relaxed atmosphere” “Feels friendly!”

The show seems to be an ideal size for many of you. For some it has, “every supplier over a huge range is there, so its much better than going to smaller ones.” While for others it is, “More intimate than the larger shows. Not having that feeling of having to rush through everything is a benefit.”

The show is popular with those who find some of the larger shows “exhausting” or “confusing” As someone put it, the show is “Good for small businesses to get in touch with smaller suppliers who might not be at the bigger shows.” “Small enough to not be exhausted”

While for others the show is, “A precursor to the Spring Fair at the NEC to get an idea of what the latest trends might be and then look for them at the NEC”

This was echoed a number of times, “Pre Birmingham date but with many of the national brands meaning I can get some buying sorted before going to the NEC.” “It gives me time before the Spring Fair to see suppliers new and old to place orders which I can then ‘tick off’ – cutting down on my time at the Spring Fair – and starting the deliveries rolling in for the New Year.” “Its great to get a few orders done and ahead of the spring fair hoards”

Whether you come to Giving & Living because it’s bigger than any other show in the region, or whether you come because it has some suppliers that you wont find anywhere else and it’s an excellent preview to other shows, we hope you continue to find it, “Very well organised and very professionally laid out. With excellent staff who are always willing to help.”

With three months to go to Giving & Living 2012, I have been thinking about why people choose to go to trade shows? This might be a question you ask yourself when weighing up the time and cost of travel involved.

It is certainly a question asked by show organisers, particularly in light of people’s increasing ability to source products on line and even view them in action on You Tube.

Yet, for you and us, when it comes down to it there is nothing quite as good as seeing something first hand and having the ability to really check out the quality and workmanship. There are often special offers and show discounts to take advantage of, alongside the chance to talk to current suppliers face to face.

In the summer we received almost 400 responses to a survey from people like yourself. They confirmed some of what we suspected, that the most important reason for attending a trade show is to find new suppliers (99%) and physically checking out products (96%). Other important reasons are to spot new trends (87%) and gain industry knowledge (81%).

However there were a few surprises, reasons we had not thought of or did not expect in any numbers. Examples would be, exhibitor stands offering ideas of how to display products that can then be used by retailers, and having time away from the shop or office to focus purely on purchasing and new product selection. Mentioned specifically was “thinking time” and that, “It is always good to see like minded people”.

As well as the “boost of enthusiasm and inspiration” to be gained from a show a number of people referred to attendance as a day off (presumably from usual activities!) and being able to, “Just enjoy a jolly good day out!”. One person went so far as to say “we also treat it as a mini-holiday”!

Finally there was this contribution,

“The staff I bring with me get an idea of the importance of minimum orders, cost price and shelf life etc, of products. It works for me almost as a training opportunity.”

Perhaps this might give you food for thought when you are next weighing up whether to attend a show, or who should go? The extra value of the show as a training opportunity…. now that is something that we hadn’t thought of….!