Onwards and upwards!

This article was written for the March/April edition of Gifts Today.

Gifts Today’s March/April 2025 issue is out now! - Gifts Today

The inaugural edition of The Gift Fair, the online trade show, has successfully taken place, marking a major step forward in online exhibitions. Organised by Xpofairs, the event introduced a brand-new technology and concept to many attendees. We have caught up with Xpofairs for a re-cap on the show.

The show attracted thousands of unique visitors, primarily small independent businesses. Encouragingly, over 65% of exhibitors have already signed up for the next show, reinforcing confidence in the event's potential for future success.

A major highlight of the event was the Best Stand Award, won by Sienna Glass for their innovative and immersive stand design, which closely mirrored an in-person trade show experience.

Hanna Walker from Sienna Glass shared her thoughts:

“We’ve been so impressed with XPO The Gift Fair! The team, especially Aarun and Fabian, have been brilliant—so supportive and responsive throughout. It’s amazing to see such an innovative platform transforming the way the wholesale giftware industry connects. We’re thrilled to have won Best Stand and can’t wait to see how XPO grows!”

Another notable achievement was The Future Star Award, won by Arrthi Little from Cheeky Legends and Lex Rogy from Little Roglets. Arrthi on reflecting on the experience remarked:

“It was a privilege to participate in the inaugural show, delivering an exceptional and seamless online experience that demonstrated a clear understanding of our industry's needs. We've seen a significant surge in visibility for our Cheeky Legends brand, underscoring the transformative potential of this tradeshow. The entire team has been brilliant, providing ongoing support to help us maximise the experience, and we are thrilled to be taking part in the September show!”

Santoro London were showcasing their kids’ brand Bangoberry in the Kids and Toys Hall. Lavina Timis shares their experience of the show.

“Participating in the online Gift Fair was an excellent opportunity for us at Santoro to introduce our new brand, Bangoberry, to a broader audience, particularly here in the UK. Already well-received by toy chains, independent stores, and gift shops across Europe, it was thrilling to showcase our fun and colourful products to new buyers and connect with those we might not have reached otherwise. We were exhibiting at various physical trade shows at the same time as the Gift Fair, so it was a great opportunity for customers to still discover our latest launches even if they weren’t physically able to visit one of our shows. The fair provided a fantastic platform to expand our reach and continue growing Bangoberry’s presence in the industry!

Following the success of the first event, Xpofairs is already planning two further editions in 2025:

1. US Gift Fair: July 14th - August 28th, 2025
2. UK Gift Fair (2nd Edition): September 8th - October 24th, 2025

With an emphasis on international expansion, Xpofairs is collaborating with US partners to pay special attention to the cultural differences between the two territories, there is meaningful support for UK brands entering the American market. Interested businesses are encouraged to sign up now to secure their participation.

Xpofairs have learnt a lot from the first show with the help of their wonderful exhibitors, curious retailers through feedback sessions, they have been making changes throughout to make it more successful for everyone. The main changes include:

1. Simplified Registration Process: A more streamlined sign-up, making attendance easier for busy buyers.
2. Instructional Videos: The new website will feature a comprehensive library of video guides to help attendees navigate the platform with ease.
3. Simplified navigation: If you are looking for a specific brand it is now easier to search them and see who is in each stand. If you need to leave the show when you return you will now enter right where you left off!
4. Mobile App Launch: Another exciting announcement is a dedicated app will be introduced for the next event, enabling seamless participation from anywhere. The plan is that these along with other adjustment will make for a more user-friendly experience to help visitors interact more with exhibitors.