FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the event?
September 1-4 2013 (Gift, Home & Volume hall opens 1 day earlier on August 31)

Where is the event?
The National Exhibition Centre (NEC) in Birmingham, UK, B40 1NT.

What are the opening times?
31st Aug:*    10.00-17.00
1st Sep:       09.00-18.00
2nd Sep:      09.00-18.00
3rd Sep:       09.00-18.00
4th Sep:       09.00-16.00
* Volume sector only

What is the event about?
Autumn Fair International is the biggest home and gift buying event of the season. It’s your unique opportunity to source the hottest new products in time for Christmas and to preview spring lines ahead of anyone else.

This is by far the season’s biggest launch platform and with 60,000 new products on offer, you are certain to find the next big seller.

This is a trade only event, which means that members of the public cannot attend. If you are in the process of starting a company it is recommended that you bring along a business card or something stating that you are in business.

Our key buying sectors are:

Gift, Home & Volume – Hall 1
Kitchen, Dining & Housewares – Hall 2
Gift – Hall 5
Contemporary Gift & Home – 3 & 4
Home Interiors & Furniture – Hall 3
Children’s Gifts, Toys & Gadgets – Hall 5
Fashion Jewellery & Accessories – Hall 4
Greetings & Gift – Hall 4
Hobby, Arts & Craft – Hall 5

Who is exhibiting at the event?
Please visit www.autumnfair.com/find where you can search exhibitors by industry sector. You can also use the supplier and product finder on the website too.

Who should visit the event?
Those with buying and purchasing responsibilities, as well as those who control spend. Independent retail stores, multiples, department stores, online businesses, mail order companies, supermarkets, distributors, importers, wholesalers and multi-channel retailers are all suitable visitors to Autumn Fair.

Will there be any seminars, workshops or demonstrations?
There will be seminars taking place at the show including trend presentations from WGSN and HomeBuildLife, the global trend forecasters. Live demonstration areas such as the Kitchen Club, Craft Demo Area and Cook Live! will see celebrity presenters take the stage and run make-and-take workshops for visitors to the show. To read more about our full list of seminars, please visit What’s On

How can I register to attend?
Simply visit our Registration Page or call our ticket hotline on +44 (0) 8445 888 071 to register your details and gain free entry to the show (saving £30).

Is there a catalogue available? When can I get one? Is there a charge?
There is a free-of-charge catalogue available only to visitors who attend the show. The catalogue contains details of each exhibitor and a short summary of their profile. There is also an A-Z Guide which can be used to plan your visit, featuring floor plans, seminar timetables and other useful information for getting around the show.

Already registered

I am worried that I haven’t received my badge yet – what can I do?
When registering you would have received a confirmation email. Either print this off or take note of your unique badge number. Upon arrival to the show, take this to one of the registration terminals where you will be able to print off your badge.

Will my badge allow me entry into the event on more than one day?
You badge allows you entry to the show for its entire duration.

Is there a cloakroom at the event?
All international visitors have access to the Seasons Club in Hall 5 where there is a free cloak-room. There are also cloakrooms outside of the Seasons Club but they are chargeable at £1 per item. The cloakroom will be open during show hours, please note that the cloakroom will close as soon as the show closes each day, therefore please allow time to collect your belongings before the end of the day.

Not yet registered

Is there a charge for registering pre-event?
If you pre-register entry will be free. If you do not pre-register and arrive at the show, there will be an entrance fee of £30. Visit our online Registration Page to register for your free ticket.

Is there a charge to register on the door?
Yes, this will be £30 if you haven’t registered in advance.

Do I have to provide all of my personal details?
You will have to answer all questions to complete the registration process. This does include your name, job title, company name, address, and contact details.

I don't want to be contacted after the event; how can I prevent this from happening?
Please complete the data protection questions at the end of the form where you can opt out of receiving information.

Can I visit the event if I'm not in the trade?
This is a trade only event. As long as you register from an organisation then yes you will be able to attend.

I am in the process of setting up a business in the trade – do I need to bring ID and if so, what type?
Yes, please bring a business card, or something stating that you are in business. Although you will not be able to trade at the show.

I am a student; can I visit the event?
Yes you may, although you will not be able to trade at the show.

I attended the event last year – will I automatically be sent a badge this year?
You will be sent an email to activate your registration for this year’s show. You will not automati-cally receive a badge in the post unless you have chosen NOT to Go Green. Please also note that if you have chosen to go green, you will only receive an e-conformation 1 week prior to show opening.

International visitors

I am travelling from overseas – where can I stay?
For more information and to book a hotel, please contact:
Exposé Travel Management Ltd
T +44 (0)1883 342 006
F +44 (0)1883 346 763

Is there an International Lounge at the event?
Yes, you can use the Seasons Club which is located in the Piazza. Here you will have access to free tea and coffee and free WiFi access.

Can you send me an invitation letter for Visa purposes?
As a company policy we do not provide invitation letters to visitors. We have been advised by all embassies that an invitation letter from us would not work in a Visa application.

Travel information

I am travelling by car – where can I park?
There is parking at the NEC, which is free for all Autumn Fair visitors

Is there a charge for car parking?
No, car parking is free.

Can I reserve a car parking space?
There is enough parking for 20,000 visitors per day; therefore you will not be required to reserve parking.

Access and facilities

Will there be anywhere that I can access the internet while I'm at the event?
You can use the Business Centre at the NEC; use of the internet is chargeable.

Can I hire a wheelchair at the event?
Bartram’s operate a mobility equipment hire service. We strongly advise visitors to pre book equipment to avoid disappointment. Bartram’s operate a telephone booking line Monday to Friday 09:00am-17:00pm on 01353 778756.

Visitor can also book via Bartram’s website http://www.bartrams.net

For any visitors who have not pre-booked equipment and arrive on the day, any remaining stock will be issued on a first- come, first-served basis. Manual wheelchairs are free of charge to blue badge holders, £5 per day to other visitors. Electric scooters are £15 per day for all visitors. This is a non-refundable scheme. As Bartram’s location varies from show to show, please check collection point when making a booking.

What is wheelchair access like at the venue?
All levels of The NEC are accessible to wheelchair users, via lifts. The Piazza and Atrium main entrances have automatic doors.

Will there be anywhere to buy food while I'm at the exhibition?
There is a selection of different bar, café, sandwich shop and restaurant concepts. For more information please visit www.thenec.co.uk/foodanddrink

Can my children visit the event with me?
We advise that children under 16 do not attend the event as this is trade only event and there are no crèche facilities. But yes you can.

Are pushchairs allowed into the exhibition halls?
Yes.

Are there any crèche facilities?
No, there are no crèche facilities at the show.

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