The competition to alert individuals and companies to opportunities in the dynamic UK stationery industry is back for its fourth edition at the 2018 Stationery Show Manchester.

The 'LaunchPad Manchester' search is now on for up to six individuals or companies with new ideas for products or services for the stationery industry to enter a competition to win a free exhibitor stand at the 2018 Stationery Show Manchester.  The closing date for entries is 31 July 2018.

The bi-annual trade show, which runs in London in April and Manchester on 9 & 10 October, attracts the UK’s biggest retailers, influential buyers and brands in the stationery sector. As part of its Manchester offering of fantastic writing and paper products, six stands are reserved for the LaunchPad competition winners to showcase their ideas and products to visitors and fellow exhibitors.

Run for the first time by the Stationery Show in London in April 2017, and again by the Manchester Show in October, the LaunchPad initiative has so far showcased 30 new hopefuls.

"Finding and alerting designers and those who love working with paper or writing instruments to consider the stationery industry as a great market for their work is important - it's good for all of us to see and work with new ideas. There are plenty of opportunities for those with innovative ideas and enthusiasm in our sector,” says the stationery shows event manager, Hazel Fieldwick.

“The two trade shows are currently the only dates in the stationery industry calendar where so many key suppliers and retailers come together, so they are the perfect platform for this type of initiative.  We’re looking forward to seeing all the entries.”

The show team was delighted when no fewer than three LaunchPad winners picked up prestigious Stationery Awards at the April 2018 London show - Paper Mirchi (Manchester 2017 winner) won the Gift Packaging & Wrap category, Octagon Design won Diaries, Organisers & Calendars and Back Pocket Notebooks (both London 2018 winners) won the Good Design category.

"This sort of recognition by the industry for new products and suppliers is fantastic and will help each of these companies on their way to develop and grow their sales and ideas," said Hazel.

The closing date for entries is Tuesday, 31 July 2018. The entry form can be found on the Stationery Show Manchester website home page – www.stationeryshowmanchester.co.uk.

The LaunchPad competition is open to any company which, or individual who:

?   Has not exhibited at either the London or Manchester Stationery Shows previously

•   Has the rights to sell the featured product/range/service

?   Does not currently sell the featured product/range/service through any UK national retail accounts or distributors in the stationery retail sector

Each winner will receive a free exhibition stand at the Manchester show, coverage on the show website and inclusion in all the show's marketing materials.  In addition, they will get great exposure to all the UK’s leading retailers and suppliers visiting the show and will receive PR and marketing support from the Stationery Show team.