As well as all the normal networking and the opportunity to shout-out about your business, at Creative Bedfordshire March Networking there will be a group discussion on the subject of trade shows with contributions from a number of Creative Bedfordshire businesses. 

1. 2nd Mar 2017 7 - 9pm Bedford
WELCOME TO CREATIVE
NETWORKING MARCH
Creative Networking is delivered by Bedford Creative Arts and is free of
charge to attend thanks to the support of Central Bedfordshire Council and
Bedford Borough Council.
Supported by

2. WHAT IS CREATIVE
NETWORKING?
Creative Bedfordshire monthly networking events take place across Bedfordshire and
bring together creative people to network and develop their businesses. Who is new?

3. If you work (or aspire to work) in the arts, run a creative business, are a freelance artist,
actor, producer, maker or musician (or commission them), this network is for you.
WHO IS CREATIVE
NETWORKING FOR?

4. Register for updates: http://bedfordcreativearts.org.uk/creative-bedfordshire/#signup
Follow us online:
Creativebedfordshire CreativeBeds CreativeBeds Creative Bedfordshire
WAYS TO
KEEP IN TOUCH

5. EXPLORING TRADE
SHOWS
As well as all the normal networking and the opportunity to shout-out about your business,
there will be a group discussion on the subject of trade shows with contributions from a
number of Creative Bedfordshire businesses.

6. SAY HELLO
We are a very friendly network. We are chatting about what we are in to and what we are
up to. It’s all about understanding each others skills, collaborating and voicing our
needs. We are not pitching at each other. Relax and enjoy the evening.

7. SHOUT OUT
Your chance to tell us about your work and needs

8. CARDS ON
THE TABLE
Your chance to tell us about your work and needs

9. OUR
HOST
Sandra Dartnell
Associate Producer for Bedford
Creative Arts
Self employed Customer
Experience Consultant
at ThinkingCX
Sandra has been self employed
for 3 years, and works on how the
key point of value can be
communicated to customers.
Sandra lives in Leighton Buzzard
@SandraDartnell

10. OPPORTUNITY?

11. EXPLORING TRADE
SHOWS
What are the important consideration that people in the network should
think about when it comes to trade shows and the overall market of
wholesale

12. CONTRIBUTORS
Give it up for the people who have helped me explore trade shows

13. CONTRIBUTORS
Exploring Trade Shows
U Old Bag! (Yob)
www.uoldbag.com
Mary Goodman Textile Design
www.marygoodman.co.uk
Claire Alderdice Textiles
www.clairealderdice.com
Nila Holden
www.nilaholden.co.uk
Tabitha Mary
www.tabithamary.co.uk
épanoui.
www. epanoui.co.uk

14. U Old Bag! (Yob) www.uoldbag.com

15. Mary Goodman Textiles www.marygoodman.co.uk

16. Claire Alderdice Textiles www.clairealderdice.com

17. Nila Holden www.nilaholden.co.uk

18. Tabitha Mary www.tabithamary.co.uk

19. épanoui. www. epanoui.co.uk

20. EXPLORING TRADE
SHOWS
What are the important consideration that people in the network should
think about when it comes to trade shows and the overall market of
wholesale?

21. WHAT IS A TRADE SHOW?
WHAT IS IT NOT?
UNDERSTANDING

22. HOW DO YOU FIND THE RIGHT
ONE FOR YOUR AUDIENCE?
WHAT DO YOU NEED TO KNOW
ABOUT WHOLESALE?
UNDERSTANDING

23. WHAT BENEFIT CAN IT BRING
TO A PRODUCT BASED
CREATIVE BUSINESS?
WHAT ARE REALISTIC
EXPECTATIONS FROM YOUR
FIRST TRADE SHOW?
WHAT ARE NOT?
OUTCOME

24. EXHIBITOR FEE
PREPARATION
STOCK
TIME
FOLLOW UP
ORDERS
…CAPABILITY &
HIDDEN COSTS…
COMMITMENT

25. ARE YOU BETTER SELLING
DIRECT?
ONLINE MARKETPLACES
YOUR OWN STORE
CHOICE

26. YOUR TOP 2 NEEDS TO KNOWS
TAKE-AWAYS

27. Q&A
Your chance to ask

28. CONTRIBUTORS
Exploring Trade Shows
Lisa Tilley U Old Bag! (Yob)
Yob: Young, Original, British! Accessories &
home ware remade from vintage and
reclaimed materials combined with intricate
design details to create stunning one off
pieces of functional art!
Claire Alderdice Textiles
Fascinated with rhythmical growth patterns
in nature and exploring the relationship
between order and chaos, Claire
has developed designs that playfully unite
symmetry with unpredictability, featuring
the humble hexagon.
Mary Goodman Textiles
Mary Goodman specialises in high quality
wool products. The signature product is the
Seating Sphere. The range of contemporary
pieces for the home are both functional and
nurture the senses. Wools and yarns are
sustainable and ethically sourced.
Nila Holden
Nila Holden is a boutique bakery specialising
in wholesale iced biscuits and artisan cakes
perfect for deli’s coffee shops, bars, hotels,
restaurants, events, hampers and corporate
gifts.

29. CONTRIBUTORS
Exploring Trade Shows
Tabitha Mary
Tabitha is a Graphic Designer creating prints
inspired by the old Railway Posters and the
shipping forecast. Her niche is in capturing
places of local interest and places inspired
by an adventure. She always welcomes
commissions of new places.
Hannah Paine épanoui.
Hannah is a jewellery designer and now
shop & studio owner. Creating jewellery and
accessories to inspire our wearer to flourish.

30. U Old Bag! (Yob) www.uoldbag.com
“Expensive fairs are difficult to
outlay, but worth it in returns of
opportunities and sales for
years to come. Low cost events
can often be a waste of time,
generally you get back what
you pay for.”
“You have to think about the time
investment as well as the cost.
Events take a lot of preparation,
not to mention time manning the
stand at the event and this should
all be factored in.”

31. U Old Bag! (Yob) www.uoldbag.com
“Pricing for retail is difficult for
handmade products…but if you
really want to supply to retail
then you have to have your pricing
structure set well.”
“Do you have enough stock to
have it in a store selling at a price
that you won’t make so much
profit on? Maybe you are just
happy having it out there and
getting more opportunities from
that?”

32. U Old Bag! (Yob) www.uoldbag.com

33. Mary Goodman Textiles www.marygoodman.co.uk
“They are expensive so
make sure that it is the
right one for you… It’s
really worth visiting the
show the year before.
Get a floorplan and
choose a good spot.”
“Check out the competition, potential customers.
Is your product to their style and price range?”

34. Mary Goodman Textiles www.marygoodman.co.uk

35. Claire Alderdice Textiles www.clairealderdice.com
“Trade shows can be a
fantastic vehicle
through which to build
your company's profile,
launch a new product or
collection.”

36. Claire Alderdice Textiles www.clairealderdice.com
“Success isn't a given,
appearing at a trade
show needs to fulfil a
strategic purpose for
your business, it needs
to not be seen as a one
off activity and
therefore needs to fit
into an overall
strategy.”

37. Tabitha Mary www.tabithamary.co.uk
“It’s all about the NEW
stockists. I only look at
the new stockists in
assessing if I have
covered my costs at
each show”

38. Tabitha Mary www.tabithamary.co.uk

39. Tabitha Mary www.tabithamary.co.uk
“Think about the right
space for your product…
People are not going to
delve or assume you
have things that they
cannot see. Make it
easy.”

40. épanoui. www. epanoui.co.uk
“Don't expect to make
your money back after
one show, these things
are an investment over
time. Buyers like new
products but also like to
know you will be
sticking around so may
hesitate to invest
initially.”

41. épanoui. www. epanoui.co.uk
“Trade shows are a
perfect answer for
getting in front of a huge
amount of buyers in one
go and on your own
terms showing your
work exactly as you
would like to.”
“Turning up at a shop
unannounced isn’t the best
approach - email first and
ask if it's something of
interest rather than putting
people on the spot - it can
be awkward for everyone! ”

42. SAY HELLO

43. SHOUT OUT
Your chance to tell us about your work and needs

44. SHOUT OUT
Your chance to tell us about your work and needs
Check out Circus of illustration upcoming events
http://www.circusofillustration.com/events.html
News of Lisa Tilley upcoming courses
Art Journaling - Explore design & sketchbook processes by learning how to
collect inspiration, experiment with mixed media materials & techniques to draw
& develop design ideas. http://www.bedfordcraftscentre.co.uk/2017-course-
listing-1/4577578882 Introduction to Handweaving & Intermediate Hand Weaving
http://www.bedfordcraftscentre.co.uk/2017-course-listing-2/4577604898
Introducing Karen May Art & Design
https://www.facebook.com/Karen-May-Art-Design-294874830537521/

45. SHOUT OUT
Your chance to tell us about your work and needs
New Monthly Mental Health Mates Walks
http://mentalhealthmates.co.uk/events/event/bedford-march-4th/
Get along to Bedpop Science Lab 2017 on Sat 11th March 2017
https://www.bedpop.co.uk/bedpop-science-lab-2017/
Spread the word to 13s to 19s about Bedford Clanger Teen Takeover
https://www.facebook.com/events/671072256399521/
Contact Bedpop to get involved in Bedpop at Bedford High Street
Showcase 3rd June 2017 and Bedpop Xmas 2017
https://www.bedpop.co.uk

47. • BUSINESS NEWSLETTER
Business advice and information from Bedford Borough Council
http://www.bedford.gov.uk/business/business_support_and_advice.aspx
• ACCESS TO FINANCE
• START UP SUPPORT

48. • LET’S TALK BUSINESS
Business advice and information from Central Bedfordshire Council including a one
page summary of business advice sources with links to each
http://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/business/timebank/news-events.aspx
• BUSINESS TIME BANK
• BUSINESS TOOLKIT

49. BUSINESS
GROWTH SUPPORT
Velocity provides networking with other businesses and cutting edge information /
guidance on a range of growth themes. They hold a number of free workshops across the
South East Midlands area.
www.velocitybusinesssupport.com/

50. CULTURE
CHALLENGE
The Culture Challenge is a project devised and led by Bedford Creative Arts to enable more young
people to experience and make arts and culture. Designed for and with teachers it provides a directory
of creative and cultural providers that are experienced at working with schools. Artists, cultural
organisations, and schools can become Culture Challenge members.
Become a member http://bedfordcreativearts.org.uk/culture-challenge/

51. PARKSIDE
TAKEOVER
8th March 2017 12.30 – 5.30 pm Ampthill
5 HOURS OF BUSINESS SUPPORT OPTIONS AIMED AT REMOVING THE BARRIERS THAT
SIMPLY STOP US GETTING ON
STILL BOOKING • Free 1to1s – IT – DIGITAL FILES – PROFILE WRITING • Get Started
Bid Writing Workshop • Drop-in Space

54. 6th April 2017 7 - 9pm Bedford Borough
CREATIVE
NETWORKING
APRIL
Register for updates: http://bedfordcreativearts.org.uk/creative-bedfordshire/#signup
Follow us online:
Creativebedfordshire CreativeBeds CreativeBeds Creative Bedfordshire

55. THANK YOU.
ANY QUESTIONS?
LIKE TO BE A SPEAKER?
WANT TO FEEDBACK?
TELL US HOW WE HAVE
HELPED YOU…
sandrad@bedfordcreativearts.org.uk
Sandra Dartnell – Associate Producer