This year marks a remarkable milestone in the world of trade shows as the Spring Fair, organised by the Hyve Group, celebrates its 75th anniversary. Since its inception, the Spring Fair has been a hub of innovation and inspiration, bringing together industry leaders and creative minds to showcase the latest trends and products. The GCA is a proud partner of the Spring Fair offering a springboard to elevate the greeting card industry by providing a unique platform for networking, learning, and business growth.
Spring Fair will be taking place between 2nd to 5th February at the NEC in Birmingham.
GCA Debut Pavilion
Offering a platform for Greeting Card Association members new to exhibiting, the GCA Debut Pavilion is a springboard for emerging greeting card businesses to introduce their products to the industry.
If you are exhibiting at Spring Fair for the first time do look at the GCA Debut area where there is a discount for GCA members exhibiting for the first time. All the GCA Debut stands are 3m x 1m or 4m x 1m traditional shell schemes with white wooden walls. The package includes carpet, Name board with your name and stand number printed and 3 x spotlights. This special package is not available on stands outside this area.
GCA Lounge
Step into the GCA Lounge and immerse yourself in the joy of sending cards! Our lounge offers a cosy meeting space and a refreshing breakout area away from your stand and perfect for networking.
This year, in celebration of our #Cardmitment campaign, we’re excited to offer free greeting cards and postage to all visitors of the GCA Lounge. Guests can take their pick from a wide selection of GCA member greeting cards that will be on display and make someone’s day brighter by sending them a card. Postage is being provided at no cost thanks sponsorship from The Art File and the post box provided by N Smith.
Spreading love and joy through the simple act of sending a card has never been easier! If you’d like to contribute to our #Cardmitment initiative by donating cards, please email Adriana.
We can’t wait to see you at the GCA Lounge!
Retailer Spring Packs
The GCA will be providing free Spring Season Toolkit available to retailers attending Spring Fair. Our online Spring Seasons toolkits have been well-received as valuable resources to assist retailers in promoting key spring card-giving occasions both in-store and online. Wendy Jones-Blackett is behind this year’s fantastic designs.
Content of the Spring Retailer Packs:
- A3 Posters: 1 for Valentine’s Day, 1 for Mother’s Day, 1 for Easter, and 1 for Father’s Day. (Posters will be folded in half)
- POS Tent Cards: 1 for Valentine’s Day, 1 for Mother’s Day, 1 for Easter, and 1 for Father’s Day.
- Double-sided printed A5 Cardmitment information leaflet.
**The content of the toolkit will be placed in an easy to carry C4 envelope.**
Graphite have generously offered to print and dispatch the Spring Toolkit packs to GCA members exhibiting at Spring Fair. If you would like to take part, please email andrew.potton@graphite-creative.co.uk and confirm the following information:
- How many Spring Season Retailer Packs would you like?
- Confirm your company name and stand number
- Full postal address that you wish the packs to be dispatched to.
Please note we have a limited number of packs available.
Exhibiting at Spring Fair
If you have already booked your space at this show do read your exhibitors pack and make sure you have completed all your company details, and the contact information you wish to appear on your online profile and the official show app. Also ensure you are taking advantage of all the marketing opportunities, including social media graphics and invites to the show (accessed via the Exhibitor Zone).
2025 Spring Fair Map
Hyve Tips to enhance your stand without using paint
Changes in the contractor agreement mean that exhibitors need to pay for repainting of the stands. To avoid this extra cost the Spring Fair team at Hyve have shared these tips for GCA members:
- Wallpaper, craft paper, murals and lightweight materials, such as cardboard, can be stapled to the wooden panels to fill part or all of your stand space. Cards can then be attached to these coverings and this look can be enhanced by using frames.
- Vinyl stickers/branding can be stuck to the panels to create interest
- Many brands have their logo made from 3D lettering, made from foamex, laser cut wood or printed onto a shape/box (all above eye level). These are a great sustainable option that can be re-used at future shows.
- Coloured shelves can add visual interest
- Many brands bring individual display pieces which showcase their brand and personality including frames, bunting, bespoke furniture
- Brands can enhance their stand by using vinyl flooring, available in different patterns, coloured carpet and even artificial grass
With new brands joining the show, we always recommend to dress your stand as if you had a pop up in a retail space for 4 days.
Show your brand, your personality and be memorable! The Spring Fair 2025 Exhibitor Zone and Online Manual is where you’ll find information relating to your exhibition stand (including specifications of the Traditional Shell Scheme wooden panels and weight restrictions), as well as how to order any additional items and forms to be completed ahead of the show. If you have any questions before, please contact your Account Manager.
More information
Also see Starting up – Trade Shows
