A trade show attracts 1,000’s of visitors and provide an ideal opportunity for businesses and traders to meet existing or potential customers in a way that online marketing alone cannot match. Even with the advances of online interaction, physically attending a trade show can help gain your business or brand great exposure. Unlike other forms of marketing, a trade show presents you with an audience that has an invested interest in your industry and are specifically there to source new products and build contacts. As an exhibitor you have the opportunity to see how your range fits in (or stands out!) from current market trends.
The benefits of exhibiting at a trade show are vast but in the arts and craft industry it is a massive advantage to be able to let customers experience your product range first hand. British Craft Trade Fair (BCTF) is a popular trade show which runs over 3 days here at the Yorkshire Event Centre.
BCTF Harrogate has been running for more than 44 years, it presents an attractive selection of the best hand-made British giftware, arts and crafts all under one roof. Differing from other trade fairs in that no mass-manufactured products or products made overseas are allowed. There may never be a better time to buy British, helping support the UK economy and exposing local talent. Products with a “made in Britain” tag come with a powerful branding message for the trend-conscious and ethically aware consumer.
BCTF organiser, Margeret Bunn’s passion for art and craft has seen her work with British designer-makers for over 35 years, she has helped many hundreds of young makers take their first steps in dealing with retail buyers.
Margeret said: “The 2018 show has had a great buzz and positive, upbeat atmosphere with many top-end buyers in attendance. This is our second year in the new hall, a wonderful, purpose built venue which provides the perfect environment for buyers to source new products. Feedback from both exhibitors and buyers has been overwhelmingly positive and we are delighted at how the show has been received, a good time has been had by all.”
The show organisers held their annual 2018 awards ceremony on Monday April 9, recognising numerous Yorkshire based craft designers.
Leeds-based Faye Stevens was presented with the best Greeting Card Award and Halifax publisher Catherine Kleeli with a commended in the same category.
York-based designer, Joanna Coupland, scooped the Wow Factor award for best stand at the show after being selected by a majority of fellow exhibitors for the third year running. She shared her win in this category with Harrogate home interiors designers, Albert & Alfred, who received an equal number of votes.
Albert & Alfred were also highly commended in the BCTF Award for Excellence and Rotherham-based ceramicist, Sarah Saunders, was commended in the same category.
Albert & Alfred – Wow Factor award for Best Stand & highly commended in the BCTF Award for Excellence.
Catherine Kleeli – Commended in Best Greeting Card Award.[
The full list of winners, highly commended and commended exhibitors includes:
BCTF Award For Excellence, sponsored by PSM Ltd: Winner – Anderson Creations, Highly Commended – Albert And Alfred, Commended – Sarah Saunders Ceramics
Best Newcomer Award, sponsored by Craftanddesignonline: Winner – Charlotte Wilkinson Glass, Highly Commended – Rouaida Jewellery
Giftware Association Award For Excellence: Winner – Charlotte Hupfield Ceramics, Highly Commended – Ann Charlish Studio, Commended – Rachel Thornton
Award For Excellence In Jewellery sponsored by the National Association Of Jewellers (NAJ): Winner – Ellen Monaghan, Highly Commended – Caroline Finlay
Greetings Card Award sponsored by Greetings Today: Winner – Faye Stevens, Highly Commended – Rhombus And Pineapple, Commended – Artinker, The DM Collection, Catherine Kleeli Cards. Greetings Today editor, Tracey Bearton, gave her ‘Just Because’ award to Rhian Winslade Ceramics, which produced a lovely range of cards for the show.
Wow Factor, sponsored by DesignGap/ArtGap and voted for by exhibitors: Joint winners – Joanna Coupland and Albert & Alfred.
The next edition of the British Craft Trade Fair will take place from April 7-9 2019, for more information see www.bctf.co.uk.
Main Image – Flossy Teacakes Ceramic and mixed-media miniature British world. For details on the full range please visit www.flossyteacake.co.uk.
