The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) has announced that applications for support through the UK Tradeshow Programme have closed, which means that there are currently no direct grant schemes available to help UK companies with the cost of participating in international trade shows.

UKFT will continue to highlight the importance of this type of support to the government and will work with DBT to see whether a new scheme to support and help UK companies can be secured. UKFT firmly believes that international trade shows, combined with sectoral missions, are a powerful tool to help smaller companies start exporting and expand their businesses. This type of activity also helps larger companies enter new markets, increasing demand for UK fashion and textiles around the world.

From June to September 2023, UKFT will work with DBT over the coming season to offer non-grant support to UK companies at the following trade shows:

• Pitti Uomo (menswear)
• Paris Men’s Fashion Week and Pre-Collection shows and showrooms including Tranoï, MAN, Welcome Edition and Splash!Paris (menswear, womenswear, beachwear)
• Première Vision (apparel textiles)
• Miami Swim (swimwear)
• Chicago Collective (menswear)
• Paris Women’s Fashion Week (womenswear)

UKFT also plans to promote brands exhibiting at Playtime Paris, Curve Paris Lingerie and Who’s Next.

The UK Tradeshow Programme was launched as a feasibility study to run until April 2023, replacing the previous Tradeshow Access Programme (TAP). DBT is currently undertaking an assessment of the programme which will inform advice on future growth and export support it will offer businesses.

This decision brings on new challenges for British exporters who benefited from government grants to help them attend major international trade shows. In addition to the UKTP Programme, many companies were able to access the Internationalisation Fund in 2022/23. The latter scheme, that supported UK businesses’ export and internationalisation activities, is also closed.

Will you be exhibiting at an international trade show this season?

If you are planning on exhibiting at Pitti Uomo, Paris Fashion Week or any of the above trade shows, please contact info@ukft.org to be featured in UKFT’s British Brands promotional activities, including a social media campaign as well as in-person promotions and events.

This is part of our Global Brands campaign, that aims to showcase and support UK fashion and textile brands exhibiting at events across the world. In the meantime, discover below our latest trade show activity:

UKFT Global Brands