UKFT has been campaigning since April 2020 for HM Treasury to agree to allow DIT to use the Tradeshow Access Programme (TAP) to support virtual tradeshows.

In a recent breakthrough, HMT has agreed to allow DIT to run a formal pilot in support of virtual/digital tradeshows from now until the end of March 2021.

The rules of this scheme will be almost identical to the normal TAP programme:

• Support will be considered for official digital replacements to existing TAP
  approved shows that take place before 31 March 2021. Support is not available
  for hybrid shows.
• If agreed, DIT would fund 50% of eligible costs, up to a maximum of £2,500, subject to certain
• Businesses will have access to only one ‘virtual’ life, to be used by 31 March
  2021
• This one ‘virtual’ TAP life will count towards a company’s maximum TAP lives for physical shows (currently the number stand at 6 per company)
• Businesses which have already used six or more TAP lives will not be eligible for
  TAP virtual trade show support.

Whilst this is potentially good news, there is very limited time to apply for some of the events, most of which start within the next few weeks.

Subject to confirmation, the virtual events we expect to be able to support with grants are:

• Pitti Connect – Pitti Uomo and Pitti Bimbo
• Curve Online
• Coterie online – New York Fashion Coterie (on NuOrder)
• Première Vision Digital
• H+H Cologne @ Home
• Various Paris Fashion Week sites (subject to clarification)

If you would like details on how to apply, please email paul.alger@ukft.org with a copy to noleen.willis@ukft.org

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