Our Events

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We pride ourselves as a national organisation, on the quality of the events we run, both online and face to face. 

 

Over the Years at the Gift of the Year Awards, the businesses who entered gained access to the following events:

  • Workshops and training on such subjects as social media, graphic design, PR and photography
  • A VIP day for our finalists
  • Networking events
  • Meal out during Spring Fair in Birmingham (in 2020 we had over 100 people attend)
  • Black Tie Event in London

VIP Day

For the first time in 2019 we created a VIP Awards day for the shortlisted companies enabling them to make the most out of their shortlisted status.

They learnt from experts and buyers and heard from previous winners as so how best to use the accolade to their advantage. The day held in Birmingham was also a great networking event for the industry as well as a chance to meet with buyers and retailers who could eventually be buying their shortlisted products.

The VIP day is exclusive for Shortlisted companies.

Awards Evening

The Awards Evening is an event not to be missed, 

 

Marking a significant unified step forward for the UK gift industry, the GA’s Gift of the Year (GOTY) awards and The Greats gift retailer awards are to join forces, with the winners of both awards programmes to be announced at a shared lavish black tie evening event on Thursday 11 May 2023, held at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London.

The two award programmes will see both gift product excellence and retail prowess recognised and rewarded at an awards event to make the whole industry proud, attended by hundreds of gift suppliers and retailers.

The ownership and running of the Gift of the Year product awards, now in their 46thyear, will remain under the stewardship of the Giftware Association while The Greats gift retailer awards, now in their 21st year, will continue to be wholly owned and run by Max Publishing (publishers of Progressive Gifts & Home magazine and giftsandhome.net).

Both parties will work closely together to create an enjoyable and uplifting evening event that will truly celebrate the industry’s achievements, both on the product and retailing fronts.

While the GA will continue to organise the entry and judging process for the Gift of the Year awards, Max Publishing will continue to manage The Greats gift retailer awards. Max Publishing is to also undertake the sponsorship of both awards programmes as well as the organisation of the awards event itself, (including the ticket booking), drawing on the expertise of its affiliated Max Live Events team.

 

 

Reinforcing its commitment to the gift sector, Hyve Group (which owns and organises Spring Fair and Autumn Fair) had no hesitation in coming on board as the headline supporter for the UK Gift Awards event, and will remain integral to the Gift of the Year Awards, with the live judging of the 2023 GOTYs taking place during Spring Fair 2023.

Tickets for The Gift Awards can be booked quickly and securely using the online form below, or by contacting our awards’ organiser – Createvents, details below.

To find out more about sponsorship opportunities for the event, contact Ian Hyder, Rob Willis or Warren Lomax by clicking on their names or by ringing them. (Ian – 07525 634 306; Rob – 07792 016832, Warren – 07977 57208.

 

 

Judging Day

For the second time ever, the Live Judging Day will be held at Spring Fair for a whole four days. Allowing the judges to come and go as fits in with their scheules as well as maximising exposure to the shortlisted products to the Spring Fair audience 

The live judging Day has always been a draw for the judges to take a day out of their businesses, whilst still essentially sourcing the best new products. Previously held behind closed doors the last year we have held it at Spring Fair. Allowing the judges to time their schedule with the show as well as showcasing to a brand new audience of the visitors present.