UK's Birmingham Fair (September 4-7) To Showcase Many Home Items Including Furniture

Furniture World Magazine

Each year more than 35,000 visitors head to Birmingham, England's National Exhibition Centre (NEC) to shop Autumn Fair -- and with good reason. Bringing together more than 2,000 high-quality suppliers from around the world, the September 4-7, 2005 edition will welcome 500 companies that will be exhibiting for the first time -- providing the ideal opportunity to discover new resources, stock up for Christmas and preview trends for the coming spring. Further strengthening the extensive selection, Autumn Fair will also welcome the return of the European Showcase for Brands of China, featuring 80 exhibitors representing many of China's leading brands. New exhibitors for 2005 include UK companies such as Beauty and the Bib Ltd., Hen's Teeth, Tideeze International, Abbeylands, Brilliant Gems, Loft Art Ltd, RSD Ltd and Township Traders. In addition, Autumn Fair will also welcome a number of North American exhibitors including: Mead Westvaco, Sorelli and The Beer Machine Company. Spanning approximately 3,000 meters in hall 5 of the NEC, the European Showcase for Brands of China brings together exhibiting companies chosen by the Ministry of Commerce of PR (Mofcom) for their quality and export viability. Mofcom sees Autumn Fair as the ideal platform to create greater awareness of Chinese brands. The companies selected will be displaying quality, newly designed products at reasonable prices from established manufacturers. Among the products on display will be giftware, stationery, jewelry, housewares and garden products. Other show highlights include new sectors and features such as: NEW Kitchen & Dining  Hall 1 Consumer enthusiasm for home entertaining is growing fast, and Autumn Fair's brand new sector is just what retailers need to keep up. Previously the Housewares Show, this new section is packed with a wide range of designs and accents for the kitchen and table, including essential housewares, glassware, tabletop, as well as new focus on products for outdoor living, specialty foods and dining décor. A host of demonstrations and special features will also be part of the new section. Live cooking demonstrations will highlight some of the latest gadgets, a Specialty Foods Pavilion will feature a variety of gourmet gifts, and a Special Offer Showcase will be the ideal spot to discover great discounts from Kitchen & Dining exhibitors. The Progressive Housewares Excellence in Housewares award winners will also be showcased at the entrance to Hall 1. NEW Home Interiors  Hall 2 Visitors should plan to head to Hall 2 for the largest ever collection of chic and contemporary occasional furniture, soft furnishings, lighting, home accessories and bed and bath products. Previously known as Home Accents, this section now offers even more to tempt the style-conscious consumer. Greetings & Stationery  Hall 3 The 2005 edition will feature more card, stationery, giftwrap, partyware and poster lines than ever before. The colorful line-up includes some of the biggest names in the business, alongside newcomers showing innovative designs. In addition to a tremendous product selection, the entrance to Hall 3 will also display the winners of the Henries, the UK's prestigious greetings industry awards. Hall 3 will also be the place to attend "Wrapped up with Arona Khan," a series of entertaining live gift- wrapping demonstrations by merchandising expert Arona Khan, as well as balloon art workshops with Jodie Norris. Art & Framing  Hall 4 Previously known as "Gallery," Autumn Fair's art & framing collection is known throughout the world as the late- season buying event and the ideal place to explore stunning artworks, prints, framing and finished product from established names and exciting new talent. In addition, Peter Bingham brings his popular Picture Business agony column to life at Autumn Fair. Combining interactive Q & A sessions and product demonstrations, Bingham will walk visitors through a wide variety of framing techniques using equipment, mouldings and mounts available at the Fair. Design-led Gifts  Hall 3 and Gifts  Halls 4,5 Hall 3 will be the place to find designer collections of gifts, gadgets, children's gifts, art ceramics and decorative glass many exclusive to Autumn Fair. In addition, Halls 4 and 5 will showcase more than 900 suppliers showing everything from general giftware, toys and games to personal care items and leather goods. Jewelry & Fashion Accessories  Hall 4 From costume, fashion and designer jewelry to clocks and watches from top suppliers, this year's Jewelry & Fashion Accessories selection will give visitors the chance to add some glamour to their stores in time for Christmas. Made in Britain & Ireland Initiative The Made in Britain and Ireland initiatives returns to Autumn Fair to give visitors a first-hand look at the very best gifts and home accessories designed and manufactured in the British Isles. Visitors should look for flags displayed on stands around the show that highlight those companies who manufacture at least 95 percent of their products in Britain or Ireland. Volume Halls 6,7 & 8 Europe's largest gathering of volume gift companies features 200 international suppliers offering some unbeatable Autumn Fair prices. Volume halls open one day before the rest of the show offering retailers the chance to get in early to take advantage of outstanding deals. Show hours for Autumn Fair 2005 will be from 9 a.m.  6 p.m. September 4 through September 6 and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on September 7. For information on exhibiting in Autumn Fair Birmingham, including complete details on special North American booth packages, contact call Adam Ash: 609.921.0222; fax: 609.921.0292 or e-mail: reg@whitehoundadv.com. For attendees, pre-registration is free to all overseas visitors. To pre-register, visit the website www.autumnfair.com or call Adam Ash: 609.921.0222; fax: 609.921.0292 or e-mail: reg@whitehoundadv.com. Autumn Fair is managed by Trade Promotion Services (TPS). TPS also manages and produces Spring Fair and Glee. To receive more information and pre-register for any of these exhibitions, North Americans can visit the websites: www.autumnfair.com, www.springfair.com, and www.GLEEbirmingham.com.