Creative Bedfordshire – Exploring Trade Shows - Networking March 2017

2nd Mar 2017 7 - 9pm Bedford

WELCOME TO CREATIVE NETWORKING MARCH

Creative Networking is delivered by Bedford Creative Arts and is free of charge to attend thanks to the support of Central Bedfordshire Council and Bedford Borough Council.

Supported by

WHAT IS CREATIVE NETWORKING?

Creative Bedfordshire monthly networking events take place across Bedfordshire and bring together creative people to network and develop their businesses. Who is new?

If you work (or aspire to work) in the arts, run a creative business, are a freelance artist, actor, producer, maker or musician (or commission them), this network is for you.

WHO IS CREATIVENETWORKING FOR?

Register for updates: http://bedfordcreativearts.org.uk/creative-bedfordshire/#signup

Follow us online:

Creativebedfordshire CreativeBeds CreativeBeds Creative Bedfordshire

WAYS TOKEEP IN TOUCH

EXPLORING TRADE SHOWS

As well as all the normal networking and the opportunity to shout-out about your business, there will be a group discussion on the subject of trade shows with contributions from a number of Creative Bedfordshire businesses.

SAY HELLO

We are a very friendly network. We are chatting about what we are in to and what we are up to. It’s all about understanding each others skills, collaborating and voicing our needs. We are not pitching at each other. Relax and enjoy the evening.

SHOUT OUTYour chance to tell us about your work and needs

CARDS ON THE TABLEYour chance to tell us about your work and needs

OUR HOST

Sandra DartnellAssociate Producer for Bedford Creative Arts

Self employed Customer Experience Consultant at ThinkingCX

Sandra has been self employed

for 3 years, and works on how the

key point of value can be

communicated to customers.

Sandra lives in Leighton Buzzard

@SandraDartnell

OPPORTUNITY?

EXPLORING TRADE SHOWSWhat are the important consideration that people in the network should think about when it comes to trade shows and the overall market of wholesale

CONTRIBUTORSGive it up for the people who have helped me explore trade shows

CONTRIBUTORS

ExploringTradeShows

U Old Bag! (Yob)www.uoldbag.com

Mary Goodman Textile Designwww.marygoodman.co.uk

Claire Alderdice Textiles www.clairealderdice.com

Nila Holdenwww.nilaholden.co.uk

Tabitha Marywww.tabithamary.co.uk

épanoui.www. epanoui.co.uk

U Old Bag! (Yob) www.uoldbag.com

Mary Goodman Textiles www.marygoodman.co.uk


Nila Holden www.nilaholden.co.uk

Tabitha Mary www.tabithamary.co.uk

épanoui. www. epanoui.co.uk

EXPLORING TRADE SHOWSWhat are the important consideration that people in the network should think about when it comes to trade shows and the overall market of wholesale?

WHAT IS A TRADE SHOW?

WHAT IS IT NOT?

UNDERSTANDING

HOW DO YOU FIND THE RIGHT ONE FOR YOUR AUDIENCE?

WHAT DO YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT WHOLESALE?

UNDERSTANDING

WHAT BENEFIT CAN IT BRING TO A PRODUCT BASED CREATIVE BUSINESS?

WHAT ARE REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS FROM YOUR FIRST TRADE SHOW?

WHAT ARE NOT?

OUTCOME

EXHIBITOR FEE

PREPARATION

STOCK

TIME

FOLLOW UP

ORDERS

…CAPABILITY &

HIDDEN COSTS…

COMMITMENT

ARE YOU BETTER SELLING DIRECT?

ONLINE MARKETPLACES

YOUR OWN STORE

CHOICE

YOUR TOP 2 NEEDS TO KNOWS

TAKE-AWAYS

Q&AYour chance to ask

CONTRIBUTORS

ExploringTradeShows

Lisa Tilley U Old Bag! (Yob)

Yob: Young, Original, British! Accessories & home ware remade from vintage and reclaimed materials combined with intricate design details to create stunning one off pieces of functional art!

Claire Alderdice Textiles

Fascinated with rhythmical growth patterns in nature and exploring the relationship between order and chaos, Claire has developed designs that playfully unite symmetry with unpredictability, featuring the humble hexagon.

Mary Goodman Textiles

Mary Goodman specialises in high quality wool products. The signature product is the Seating Sphere. The range of contemporary pieces for the home are both functional and nurture the senses. Wools and yarns are sustainable and ethically sourced.

Nila Holden

Nila Holden is a boutique bakery specialisingin wholesale iced biscuits and artisan cakes perfect for deli’s coffee shops, bars, hotels, restaurants, events, hampers and corporate gifts.

CONTRIBUTORS

ExploringTradeShows

Tabitha Mary

Tabitha is a Graphic Designer creating prints inspired by the old Railway Posters and the shipping forecast. Her niche is in capturing places of local interest and places inspired by an adventure. She always welcomes commissions of new places.

Hannah Paine épanoui.

Hannah is a jewellery designer and now shop & studio owner. Creating jewellery and accessories to inspire our wearer to flourish.


“Expensive fairs are difficult to outlay, but worth it in returns of opportunities and sales for years to come. Low cost events can often be a waste of time, generally you get back what you pay for.”

“You have to think about the time investment as well as the cost. Events take a lot of preparation, not to mention time manning the stand at the event and this should all be factored in.”


“Pricing for retail is difficult for handmade products…but if you really want to supply to retail then you have to have your pricing structure set well.”

“Do you have enough stock to have it in a store selling at a price that you won’t make so much profit on? Maybe you are just happy having it out there and getting more opportunities from that?”



“They are expensive so make sure that it is the right one for you… It’s really worth visiting the show the year before. Get a floorplan and choose a good spot.”

“Check out the competition, potential customers. Is your product to their style and price range?”



“Trade shows can be a fantastic vehicle through which to build your company's profile, launch a new product or collection.”


“Success isn't a given, appearing at a trade show needs to fulfil a strategic purpose for your business, it needs to not be seen as a one off activity and therefore needs to fit into an overall strategy.”


“It’s all about the NEW stockists. I only look at the new stockists in assessing if I have covered my costs at each show”



“Think about the right space for your product…People are not going to delve or assume you have things that they cannot see. Make it easy.”


“Don't expect to make your money back after one show, these things are an investment over time. Buyers like new products but also like to know you will be sticking around so may hesitate to invest initially.”


“Trade shows are a perfect answer for getting in front of a huge amount of buyers in one go and on your own terms showing your work exactly as you would like to.”

“Turning up at a shop unannounced isn’t the best approach - email first and ask if it's something of interest rather than putting people on the spot - it can be awkward for everyone! ”

SAY HELLO



Check out Circus of illustration upcoming events http://www.circusofillustration.com/events.html

News of Lisa Tilley upcoming courses Art Journaling - Explore design & sketchbook processes by learning how to collect inspiration, experiment with mixed media materials & techniques to draw & develop design ideas. http://www.bedfordcraftscentre.co.uk/2017-course-listing-1/4577578882 Introduction to Handweaving & Intermediate Hand Weavinghttp://www.bedfordcraftscentre.co.uk/2017-course-listing-2/4577604898

Introducing Karen May Art & Designhttps://www.facebook.com/Karen-May-Art-Design-294874830537521/


New Monthly Mental Health Mates Walks http://mentalhealthmates.co.uk/events/event/bedford-march-4th/

Get along to Bedpop Science Lab 2017 on Sat 11th March 2017 https://www.bedpop.co.uk/bedpop-science-lab-2017/

Spread the word to 13s to 19s about Bedford Clanger Teen Takeover https://www.facebook.com/events/671072256399521/

Contact Bedpop to get involved in Bedpop at Bedford High Street Showcase 3rd June 2017 and Bedpop Xmas 2017

https://www.bedpop.co.uk

• BUSINESS NEWSLETTER

Business advice and information from Bedford Borough Council

http://www.bedford.gov.uk/business/business_support_and_advice.aspx

• ACCESS TO FINANCE• START UP SUPPORT

• LET’S TALK BUSINESS

Business advice and information from Central Bedfordshire Council including a one page summary of business advice sources with links to each

http://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/business/timebank/news-events.aspx

• BUSINESS TIME BANK• BUSINESS TOOLKIT

BUSINESS GROWTH SUPPORT

Velocity provides networking with other businesses and cutting edge information / guidance on a range of growth themes. They hold a number of free workshops across the South East Midlands area.

www.velocitybusinesssupport.com/

CULTURE CHALLENGE

The Culture Challenge is a project devised and led by Bedford Creative Arts to enable more young people to experience and make arts and culture. Designed for and with teachers it provides a directory of creative and cultural providers that are experienced at working with schools. Artists, cultural organisations, and schools can become Culture Challenge members.

Become a member http://bedfordcreativearts.org.uk/culture-challenge/

PARKSIDE TAKEOVER

8th March 2017 12.30 – 5.30 pm Ampthill

5 HOURS OF BUSINESS SUPPORT OPTIONS AIMED AT REMOVING THE BARRIERS THAT SIMPLY STOP US GETTING ON

STILL BOOKING • Free 1to1s – IT – DIGITAL FILES – PROFILE WRITING • Get Started Bid Writing Workshop • Drop-in Space

6th April 2017 7 - 9pm Bedford Borough

CREATIVE NETWORKING APRILRegister for updates: http://bedfordcreativearts.org.uk/creative-bedfordshire/#signup

Follow us online:

Creativebedfordshire CreativeBeds CreativeBeds Creative Bedfordshire

THANK YOU.ANY QUESTIONS?LIKE TO BE A SPEAKER?WANT TO FEEDBACK? TELL US HOW WE HAVE HELPED YOU…

[email protected] Dartnell – Associate Producer