Housewares Business-to-business magazine for housewares retailers and their suppliers
Hall 2 of the Autumn Fair – home to ‘Kitchen, Dining & Housewares’ – will host a brand new feature in September: The Kitchen Club.
Described by exhibition organiser i2i Events Group as a “stylish new business networking area,” the Kitchen Club has been launched following feedback from exhibitors and visitors, who said more areas were needed for people to sit down, rest and get
refreshments. While relaxing, visitors can also take part in informal Make & Take sessions, which will be held throughout the Fair.
The CHA (Cookshop and Housewares Association) Village – formerly located between Halls 1 and 2 – is moving so it can be incorporated into the Kitchen Club, where an area will be set aside for CHA members.
Elsewhere in Hall 2, the Cook Live! kitchen theatre will feature a line-up of chefs demonstrating products from exhibitors. The line-up includes MasterChef winner James Nathan appearing on behalf of I.O. Shen, Justin Capp for Creative Topps and Mark Newbold for Metalex.
Also present in Hall 2 will be the 12 finalists of The Next Big Thing Design Award, organised by Lakeland in conjunction with design specialist Seymourpowell and i21 Events Group. Young companies and designers with products that need bringing to market were called upon earlier this year to enter. The 12 finalists who won over Lakeland’s selection team have been offered stands in Hall 2 and will be featured exclusively in the next Lakeland range. The overall winner will receive a day of free design mentoring at Seymourpowell.
Over 55 exhibitors will show their wares in Hall 2, including several names new to the show this year. Blue Canyon, Dexam, Alan Silverwood, Reenbergs, CMP UK, Blossom Sugar Art, Metaltex, Somerset Pine and Utensa will all join the event for the first time in 2012.
Event director Rob Lozowski said: “The entire Autumn Fair team are thoroughly looking forward to what promises to be our best attended event ever. The new investment around Kitchen Club will be a big hit and should encourage cross-over visitors from the increasingly important gift buyer audience – we can’t wait for the doors to open!”
Autumn Fair International 2012 will run from September 2 – 5 at The NEC in Birmingham.
