The Giftware Association’s 2018 series of ‘Meet the Buyer’ events has got off to a flying start with a change of location and a whole new load of buyers and eager suppliers. The event, held at The Button Factory, a stone’s throw from The Giftware Association HQ, lent itself perfectly to the variety of products on display, with an ‘at ease’ atmosphere for buyers and suppliers to have those meaningful conversations.

There were buyers In attendance from Choice Marketing, The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, The Royal Horticulture Society and The Scout Shop, and they were not disappointed with the mix of products on display ranging from specialist jewellery from Eton Watches, Life Charms  and SL Designs  and beautiful ceramics from Jersey Pottery and Villeroy & Boch UK Ltd as well as everything in between included toys and games from Ravensden and Tactic Games and fashion accessories from C&C Hats and Botanique and Rye.

With many of the suppliers leaving with future contacts, but also important feedback from the buyers about their products and added directional focus for the brands on display. Speaking to many of the suppliers showcasing their products at the event about how these businesses changing events are becoming more and more popular and productive to the way they carry out business as you can see from the feedback from these first time ‘Meet The Buyer’ suppliers

Pauline from Villeroy and Boch said: “It was a great event with a fab lunch too.  These kinds of events are far more productive for me than any exhibition and so I would be very keen to participate in any more that are coming up.”

Meg Hawkins Illustration said: “ Fantastic way to meet new buyers, more personal and you feel you have real quality time to find out what the buyers needs are, which then helps enable you to move forward with your brand.”

SL Designs said: “Meet the buyer organised very well. From the welcome when arrived until you leave the show Simone make sure you are welcome and looked after. The atmosphere was comfortable and pleasant for the buyer and the traders. Highly recommended”

Simone Rose, Meet the Buyer organiser and The GA’s Business Development Manager said of the event: “The event has been hugely successful, and has been great fun to organise, the more of these events we do, we learn a little more each time at how the interaction between buyers and suppliers work, as well as coaching new to business members with our existing skills”

“The change of venue has also been a success, with many of the suppliers commenting on the unique location and the décor of the former industrial factoryspace, and it has strengthened our relationship with a local independent business too for future events”

The series is set to continue in 2018 with many more exciting events planned for our members, with only a week until the next one where we host The National Gallery and The Royal Mint. We have The Tillington Group who look after garden centres such as Frosts, Webbs and Scotsdale as well as many more, and we are In talks with a some exciting retailers which we can reveal at a later date.

For more information on future events please contact simone.rose@ga-uk.org