Join our upcoming trade mission to Autumn Fair & Glee, the UK’s largest marketplace for wholesale home, gift, garden & fashion, taking place at the NEC, Birmingham from 8-9th September 2026.

This mission is designed specifically for established crafters, makers and creative entrepreneurs who want to:

• Discover what’s happening in lifestyle and creative sectors in the UK and beyond
• Learn how successful brands present, price and position their products
• Bring home practical ideas you can adapt to your own practice and business

Why Autumn Fair & Glee?

Autumn Fair & Glee are two of Europe's top wholesale lifestyle and creative trade events, welcoming more than 1,200 exhibitors to the NEC, 30% of them exclusively exhibiting in the NEC meaning that you won't find them at any other exhibition.

For retailers and creatives, that means:

• Inspiration at scale: Explore curated destinations across Garden, Gift, Lifestyle & Décor.
• Trend spotting: See colours, materials, packaging and display trends that will shape the retail year ahead.
• Learning from the best: Access free keynote talks, seminars and live content sessions from successful brands and retail experts.
• New connections: Meet suppliers, potential collaborators and fellow makers from the UK and international markets.

Who is this trade mission for?

This mission is ideal if you are:

• a retailer or creative, based in Co.Carlow
• already selling locally/online and curious about wholesale or export
• someone who wants fresh ideas for product development, branding or visual merchandising
• ready to learn, take notes, and translate insights into action in your own business

You do not need to be currently exporting or wholesaling, but you should be actively trading and eager to grow.

What’s included:

The trade mission package will include:

• Return group travel to Birmingham
• Hotel accommodation for the duration of the mission
• Two-day access to Autumn Fair & Glee, including seminar and content stages
• On-the-ground support from our team throughout the mission

Agenda

Tuesday 8th September:

• Transfer from Enterprise House, Carlow to Dublin Airport (c.6am)
• Flight to Birmingham, 7kg luggage allowance
• Hotel check-in: Ibis Birmingham Airport
• Day-1 ticket to Autumn Fair & Glee

Wednesday 9th September:

• Breakfast
• Day-2 ticket to Autumn Fair & Glee
• Flight to Dublin (c.7.30pm), 7kg luggage allowance
• Return transfer to Enterprise House

What you’ll take home

By the end of the mission, you can expect to:

• Have a clear view of where your products sit in the wider marketplace
• Understand pricing, packaging and presentation strategies used by successful brands
• Identify new product or range ideas inspired by international craft and design trends
• Build a shortlist of potential suppliers, stockists or collaborators

How to book

A participant contribution of €150 per person applies, with all travel and accommodation included in the cost.

Places are strictly limited to 8 and ONLY AVAILABLE TO COMPANIES IN CARLOW. Please book through the Book Now button above.

If you’re a retailer or creative business owner ready to broaden your horizons, sharpen your offer and see how the best in the industry are doing it, this mission is for you.