Join our upcoming trade mission to Spring Fair, the UK’s largest marketplace for wholesale home, gift, fashion and everyday products, taking place at the NEC, Birmingham from 3-4th February 2026.

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

• Discover what’s happening in craft 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 Spring Fair?

Spring Fair is the season’s number one wholesale home and gift trade event, welcoming 35,000+ buyers and 1,400+ exhibitors over four days at the NEC.

For crafters and creatives, that means:

• Inspiration at scale: Explore curated destinations across Gift, Home, Living & Décor, The Summer House Edit, Christmas, Festive & Floral, Greetings, Party & Celebration, Beauty & Wellbeing, Fashion and Everyday.
• 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.

This is a unique chance to see what buyers are looking for and where your own work can stand out.

Who is this trade mission for?

This mission is ideal if you are:

• an established craftsperson or designer-maker (e.g. textiles, jewellery, homewares, stationery, ceramics, illustration, fashion accessories)
• already selling locally/online and curious about wholesale or export
• a creative entrepreneur who wants fresh ideas for product development, branding or visual merchandising
• ready to learn, take notes, photograph displays 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
• Pre-departure briefing session: how to get the most from a large trade show as a craft/creative business
• Guided orientation at Spring Fair, sector highlights tailored to craft and creative enterprises
• One Day access to Spring Fair, including seminar and content stages
• On-the-ground support from our team throughout the mission

Agenda

Tuesday 3rd Feb:

• Transfer from Enterprise House, Carlow to Dublin Airport (c.1.30pm)
• Flight to Birmingham (c.6pm), 7kg luggage allowance
• Hotel check-in: Ibis Birmingham Airport

Wednesday 4th Feb:

• Breakfast
• Hotel check out
• Ticket to Spring Fair
• Flight to Dublin (c.8pm), 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 €200 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 crafter 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.