Harrogate International Nursery Fair has seen a steady influx in exhibitor bookings in recent weeks, as baby product suppliers return from overseas autumn trade shows ready to pitch new product launches to UK nursery retailers and buyers in the Spring.

Adrian Sneyd, show organiser, comments: “Traditionally, people like to get one trade show out of the way before concentrating on the next one and this is certainly true of Harrogate. It is one of the few international trade shows in spring giving manufacturers and suppliers the chance to launch new autumn and winter ranges to the trade.

“As well as the many regular companies re-booking, we are receiving a surprising number of enquiries from new companies with some interesting ranges. This is great news as it means that nursery buyers attending the show will have plenty of fresh launches to tempt them.”

iCandy has been a regular brand at Harrogate for many years and Martin Boyle, managing director, explains why: “Harrogate International Nursery Fair is the perfect platform for us to showcase iCandy’s greatest British designed and engineered pushchairs. Being at the forefront of innovation and style in the nursery industry means continuous innovation and improvement. After another successful year at Harrogate in 2014, we effectively raised iCandy’s brand awareness and attracted new business. We were inordinately proud of and delighted with the fantastic feedback we received after revealing the 2014 iCandy Collection range to the UK Trade.”

For more information about booking space visit the booking form or contact Adrian Sneyd on 01902 880906 or email: adrian@nurseryfair.com

Exhibition space at the UK’s only nursery trade show is now on sale and numerous new companies in the baby products industry are confirming stands for Harrogate International Nursery Fair which takes place from 29th to 31st March 2015.

Adrian Sneyd, show organiser, comments: “We always give previous exhibitors first option to confirm their stand space and we are delighted to confirm that the majority of these will be returning next year. However, with a number of requests for new positions in different locations we now have some prime spots available at the show.”

Companies booking early will not only snap up the best positions in the halls of the Harrogate International Centre, but will also reap the benefits of free marketing activities which take place in the run up to the show. This includes promotion on the Harrogate International Nursery Fair website, inclusion in regular e-bulletin newsletters which go out to a database of almost 6,000 nursery buyers; and an invitation to get involved with the show’s new Facebook page www.facebook.com/nurseryfair

Companies which exhibited at Harrogate Nursery Fair in March 2014 have until the end of June to secure the same space again for 2015, or request a new position before general sales open shortly.

Adrian Sneyd, show organiser, comments: “We have always had the policy to allow previous exhibitors the first chance to re-book again before offering space to new companies.  Once we receive your booking form, on which you can also use it to tell us any changes you wish to make, it gives you the advantage of getting in first before general release. A paid deposit then secures your stand leaving you free to concentrate on the rest of the year while being safe in the knowledge that they have one of the better positions in the show.”

Full information about booking for next year’s show is available here, or email: adrian@nurseryfair.com

The 45th Harrogate International Nursery Fair closed its doors on a high on Tuesday 25th March after three buzzing days of business, seminars, networking and socialising.

Adrian Sneyd, show organiser, comments: "The consensus of the majority of people attending this year, both in an exhibitor and visitor capacity, was that it was yet another great show. The weather was kind, there was lots going on for the entire duration, and for the majority, business was brisk."

There are lots of positive comments about the fantastic atmosphere in Hall G which not only housed the Seminar Theatre, but also a Street Food Kitchen serving free burritos to visitors as well as booths offering ice-creams and smoothies. The North American Pavilion in the Royal Hall was also a talking point as it was the first time that this venue has been used for exhibition purposes since reopening after refurbishment in 2008.

Click to view all images from the evening.

Priority booking for next year's Harrogate International Nursery Fair, which takes place from 29th to 31st March 2015, opens on 1st May 2014 and this year's exhibitors will have until the end of June to retain their stand space or request a change of position. After this, exhibition space will go on general sale and will be allocated on a first-come-first-serve basis. More information and booking forms will be available soon.

Click here to read what some of HINF's 2014 exhibitors and visitors have to say.

There were double celebrations at Harrogate International Nursery Fair today as the Baby Products Association announced the winners of both its Baby and Nursery Trade Awards (BANTAs) and Concept & Innovation Awards.

The BANTAs were presented during a glitzy Party & Awards evening at the Majestic Hotel last night (Sunday 23^rd March) and seven companies walked away with trophies and the admiration of the entire nursery industry. The winners are:

Child Restraints
Winner: Simple Parenting (CuddleCo) – Doona Next Generation Car Seat
Highly Commended: Dorel – 2way Duo Pack

Wheeled Goods
Winner: BabyStyle UK – Oyster
Highly Commended: Emmaljunga – Double Viking

Playtime
Winner: Halilit – TAF Toys Development Walker
Highly Commended: Great Gizmos – Plan Toys Bird Walker

Sleep Accessories
Winner: Sweet Dreamers – Russell The Dream Sheepdog
Highly Commended: Small Ideas - LumiPotti

Travel Accessories
Winner: Diono – Easy View Plus
Highly Commended: East Coast Nurseries – Tiny Love Take Along Bouncer

In Home
Winner: Cheeky Rascals – Mima Moon
Highly Commended: Newton Stovold Associates – Babybay Trend

Safety
Winner: Cheeky Rascals – Lascal KiddyGuard Assure
Highly Commended: Belt Up Kidz – Belt Up Kidz

Feeding, Cleaning and Changing
Winner: Lässig – Green Label Neckline Bag Denim
Highly Commended: TMC Ventures Europe – Sili Squeeze

Best New Product
Winner: CuddleCo – Greetom UPP
Highly Commended: Prince Lionheart - yoMOTO

The BPA’s Concept & Innovation Awards were also announced today with Tom and Tamar Clarke the winners of the Concept Award for their innovative Bag Rider design; and Jonathan Feingold and Marc Kelly of CuddleCo winners of the Innovation Award for Doona – a revolutionary new car seat.

Tom and Tamar, who both work in the airline industry and have two little girls of their own, came up with their Bag Rider idea after struggling with baggage and babies when travelling through airports. This is a cabin bag which can store all necessities inside, but has an integrated seat to sit baby on once their pushchair has been checked in.

Jonathan and Marc’s Doona has taken the nursery industry by storm not only winning the Innovation Award but also the BANTA Child Restraints Award. This is an Isofix car seat which has fold out wheels converting it instantly to a pushchair.

Runners up, Catherine Curtis and Connie McGarvey were also highly commended by the judges for their BabyHub Bedside Crib and Automatic Waterless Bottle Warmer designs. Read more

The first day of Harrogate International Nursery Fair closed on an absolute high after a bustling start and a huge buzz of activity throughout the halls.

The BPA’s seminar by market research company, GfK attracted a good turn out with almost 40 attendees listening to a thought provoking presentation about latest nursery industry trends. Erol Sukan explained the balance between online versus in-store sales and the fact that parents appear to actually spend more when purchasing products online. However, whilst strollers are more likely to be purchased in store, sales of products such as baby monitors and high chairs are steadily increasing. He also touched on the importance of social media and how this is likely to affect the industry in the future. This seminar will be repeated at 15:00hrs tomorrow and is well worth attending if you are involved in the nursery sector.

There was also a sense of excitement radiating amongst exhibitors whose products were short-listed for the BPA’s BANTA Awards. The judges made their final decisions today and the winners will be announced tonight at a glitzy Party & Awards evening – so watch this space for a list of winners tomorrow.

There is a notable increase in new brands at the show this year with a diverse range of products and more international exhibitors than ever before. The North American Pavilion located in the beautiful Royal Hall is well worth a visit, not only to see some exciting new product ranges from across the world, but also to enjoy the friendly ambiance of the entire arena.

The show opens again tomorrow at 9.30am with lots more to activities ahead. The winners of the BPA’s Concept & Innovation Awards will be announced in the morning and there are three further seminars taking place throughout the day. Full details of everything can be found on this website.