Autumn Fair and Spring Fair organiser Hyve is to introduce an appointments system designed to make visiting exhibitions much more efficient.
September’s Autumn Fair will see the UK debut of the group’s Connect scheme, which sees buyers select which exhibitors they would like to visit for a 15-minute meeting. This is based on the exhibitor’s profile, for example minimum order value, regional exclusivity or environmental policy. Both visitor and exhibitor have to agree to the appointment.
The system is designed to make exhibition visits more efficient as retailers know they will be seen on the stand and exhibitors know they will not miss an important client because they were talking to an unsuitable buyer.
Retailers and exhibitors can make as many or as few appointments as they wish.
‘Buyer’s time is precious, and justifying time away from the retailing space has never been harder. Connect@Autumn Fair changes all this. Visiting a trade show should not be about chance; buyers can now source and plan their time at the show in advance, and know they are meeting suppliers that will meet their needs. With access to extensive information on every exhibitor and product category, from origin and sustainability credentials to pricing and minimum order values, retailers will be able to pre-select meetings with brands whose products most suit their needs. Exhibitors will, for the first time ever, be able to discover and connect with buyers, based on over 100 datapoints. Through this revolutionary meetings programme, powered by cutting-edge but easy to use technology, we connect the right people, at the right time, and deliver game-changing impact to our customers, their businesses and their industries. With Connect, we remove all the potential anxiety, and the element of the unknown, and allow buyers and exhibitors to be prepared and informed. This is the biggest investment we have ever made in Spring & Autumn Fair’s history. Connect@Autumn Fair is ripping up the rule book on events and creating value our customers didn’t realise was possible,’ says Nicola Meadows, Hyve portfolio director at Spring & Autumn Fair.
