RICH PROGRAMME OF PANEL DISCUSSIONS, KEYNOTE TALKS AND MASTERCLASSES UNVEILED AT SCOTLAND’S TRADE FAIR

With under 7 weeks to go until Scotland’s Trade Fair, the programme of talks and panel discussions has been unveiled to ensure visitors are enriched by their visit to the Show.

Exploring many different aspects of retail, the programme offers the opportunity to learn, grow, and gain valuable insights. These include:

A keynote discussion run by the Scottish Tourism Alliance and Visit Scotland on What’s on Scotland’s 2025 Horizon given by Marc Crothall, CEO, STA and Vicki Miller, CEO, Visit Scotland

A panel discussion from sustainability experts Think Partnership on Sustainability - Shaping the Future of Supply Chains with panel members from Imogen Armstrong from Secret Garden Distillery, Alistair Dobson from Taste of Arran and Arran Ice Cream and Joe Arciero, Business Coach and ex Pernod Chivas Global Category Leader. A special 1-to-1 keynote interview on the success of a farm shop with Emma Niven of Loch Leven’s Larder Trends Insights for 2025 to discover what’ll be on trend in retail, hosted by Progressive Gifts Editor Sue Marks, with panellists including Helen Crawford from the Old School, Beauly, Giftware Association Editor Sarah Ward, Nancy Smillie from Nancy Smillie Glasgow and Caroline Cook, influencer Caroline Style Hacks.

Understanding your customer from industry expert Andrew Busby from BOXTEC and Founder of Redline Retail AI in retail – the future of shopping from Louise Welsby, MD, Buy-From and Chair of National Committee for The Giftware Association Practical retailing tips, including masterclasses on AI in retail, top 10 tips for successful social media and Designing with Canva from Business Gateway expert trainers

‘Made in Scotland – what does this mean?’ panel discussion with Diageo’s Kirsty Vavasour; Alexandra Borthwick from Made Scotland, Glen Appin’s Chris Slater and Amy Britton, chaired by Show Director Mark Saunders.
 

In addition, at 1pm on Mon 20th and Tues 21st there will be a lively Nessie’s Den session where Launch Gallery exhibitors can pitch their products to retailers and experts for their feedback. On Monday gift experts Gemma McQue from the National Trust for Scotland, Michael Apter from Paper Tiger and Therese Oertenblad from Small Business Collaborative will all be the Nessies, hosted by Show Director Mark Saunders. Tuesday’s session will be for food and drink exhibitors.

The co-located Specialty Food & Drink Show is this year supported by Scotland Food & Drink who will bring some of their members, as well as key buyers. On Tues 21 Jan they will also host a panel discussion on The Power of Provenance in Scottish food & drink led by Anne-Laure Farrar in the Talking Shop Seminar Theatre.

Sponsored by The Giftware Association, the Best Product Awards will take on a new format this year with a dazzling display of winners in the centre of the Show and a high profile ceremony at the end of the first day of the Show. Judged by industry experts Carol Macrae from Eilean Donan Castle, Lynsey Abbott, Buying and Beyond and ex home & gift buyer, Dobbies, Dawn Kane, Scottish Seabird Centre, Sue Marks, Editor Progressive Gifts magazine and Sarah Ward, Chief Exec, The Giftware Association, all exhibitors are encouraged to enter with the winners receiving free stand space for 2026.

Scotland’s Trade Fair Spring is almost sold out with a great range of established and new exhibitors across the gift, homeware, jewellery, textiles and craft sectors. Recently booked exhibitors include Rebecca Pitcher, Eastern Counties Leather, Shearer Candles, Puckator and more.

Andrew Roberts from the National Trust said: “Scotland’s Trade Show is incredibly important to us: a key part of our strategy is to increase the number of local and Scottish makers that we work with, and what better way to see so many in one place.  There are always some great companies at the show  and we particularly enjoy looking at the Launch Gallery for new young suppliers.”

Show Director Mark Saunders added: “Our Show is a one-stop platform for buying, learning and networking. The programme of talks and discussions is one of the most comprehensive to date so make sure you glean some retail gems from the experts. We look forward to welcoming everyone on 19th Jan.”

Event Details:

Event: Scotland’s Trade Show Spring
Dates: 19-21 January, 2025
Location: SEC, Glasgow
Registration: https://register.visitcloud.com/survey/1mwbxgvpkhrhb