UKFT has launched a new guide to exhibiting at international tradeshows for UK fashion and textile companies. It is available exclusively to UKFT members.

International tradeshows are an important business-to-business route to market for fashion and textile companies. They are the industry’s window to the world, where brands and manufacturers can launch a new collection and promote their business. Exhibitions can fulfil a number of functions, providing:

• A cost-efficient way of bringing existing customers to one place to see a new collection and selling
  to them
• A business development tool where you can seek to attract new global customers
• An opportunity to test new product in the market
• A means of generating press interest
• A way to connect with the wider industry, from potential licensees and distributors, through to new sources of manufacture

UKFT are experts at advising companies on the whole process of exhibiting. We have visited all of the major shows and most of the smaller ones, hundreds of times, and we can help you avoid common pitfalls. This document is intended as an overview of the process. UKFT can work with you to help you make the most of the opportunities exhibitions offer, from helping you choose the right shows for your business to ensuring you arrive on-site, ready to sell.

Over recent years the market has changed and there are fewer buyers looking to buy collections wholesale.

However, opportunities have also emerged including online marketplaces, licensed collections or shop-in-shops. UKFT can help you with these platforms as well.

At the same time the exhibition landscape has changed and showroom events have become popular. These are often run by agents or distributors keen to extend their reach. If you are interested in a showroom event, you will also need to understand how they operate; they may have additional sales support services you may want to consider or even be required to take and pay for. UKFT members can get more advice on this and specific details. For the purpose of this guide, showrooms and exhibitions are treated as the same thing.

Whatever you decide to do and wherever you decide to show, the priority always should be to promote your brand to best effect so you create opportunities in new and existing markets.

The guide covers:

• Planning to show
• Applying for a stand
• Preparing to show
• Additional costs
• Your stand
• Transport
• Transporting Your Collection
• Preparing to sell
• At the show
• Scam alert
• Exhibitor checklist

UKFT members can email info@ukft.org to get a copy or submit a download request on the UKFT Selling Resources page below.

FIND OUT MORE HERE: UKFT Selling Resources

For more information on UKFT membership and to download a membership form, visit ukft.org/membership. For enquiries, email info@ukft.org