It goes without saying that you’ll have your work cut out for you at this year’s AGHA Sydney Gift Fair.

Get your comfy shoes ready (or wear your heels regardless if you’re anything like me!), and prepare to discover thousands of products from the gift, design and homewares industries to delight your customers and style your spaces.

The AGHA Sydney Gift Fair is where the industry has meet for the past 40 years to connect, discover the newest products and celebrate the very best the industry has to offer. Along with hundreds of wholesale suppliers showcasing their wares from Friday 21st to Monday 24th at Sydney Olympic Park, are myriad features that you won’t want to miss. Let me share my top six with you that I personally can’t wait to explore!

Images from @mai.designs

Buy from the Bush – Hall 2 & Hall 3

I’m particularly excited to explore the new feature this year, ‘Buy from the Bush’, where in partnership with Australia Post, AGHA have sponsored four artisans to travel from regional and rural Australia to Sydney to take part in Artisan Lane.

Make sure you discover artist Jacinta Haycock; the colourful creations by 23 year old textile, watercolour and acrylic artist Maisie Johnson from Moree in NSW who owns Mai Designs; the ethical, naturally moulted feathers from their farm that Laura (and now her parents!) use to create under their label Featherdale Earrings; and the artisan cow skulls by Brooke of The Quirky Bovine, who is based in Ramornie, NSW.

So be sure to support these brilliant businesses during a critical time of need by ordering from these #buyfromthebush businesses at the Fair – just look out for the Buy from the Bush logo.

Plus, on behalf of the Australian gift and homewares Industry, the Sydney Gift Fair is donating $2 for every visitor who attends the fair to the rural and regional communities severely impacted by the ongoing drought and recent bush-fires, including NSW Rural Fire Service, Australian Red Cross, Salvation Army and WIRES (Wildlife information, rescue and education service).

Image above from Little Rowan Redhead

Artisan Lane

Not only will Artisan Lane feature the very best in handmade art and craft items, but there will also be live demonstrations throughout the day! We’ll get to understand the skills involved in bringing these pieces to life, showcased by the makers themselves!

It’s a brilliant chance to not only meet the makers, but see them in action too. Many of these artisans hail from rural communities across Australia, meaning not only can we support them and their work, but create a flow on effect into their local communities too.

Click here to meet each of the artisans and here for an entire list of exhibitors with Artisan Lane.

Image above from Pure Oils of Tasmania

The Launchpad – Hall 3 & 4

Another must-see is The Launchpad, which is a showcase of up and coming Australian brands making their industry debut! New products, fresh ideas, and innovative designs – including Pure Oils of Tasmania, Sensori and more.

Discover and support these new businesses – and delight your customers with never-seen-before products!

Click here for an entire list of exhibitors within the Launchpad at Sydney Gift Fair 2020.

Image above taken at one of my Masterclasses at the Melbourne Gift Fair 2019.

Masterclass Series

Did you know that included in your free registration for the Sydney Gift Fair, are free education sessions led by some of the industry’s best thought-leaders and business experts across eCommerce, digital marketing, trend spaces and more?

I’m excited to be running three of these sessions across the Fair, starting with a panel discussion, The Business of Design on Friday 21 February at 10.00am. Join start-up and established business owners from across the gift, homewares and design industry to learn what has worked for them and what hasn’t from their own experiences starting and growing their business. Book into this Masterclass here.

I am back on Saturday 22 February at midday to run a Masterclass covering the Must Know Fundamentals of Instagram. This is perfect if you are yet to fully embrace Instagram within your marketing strategy, and feel unclear about what content to post, how often and the proper use of hashtags. Book into this Masterclass here.

And the third and final session I’m running is on Sunday 23 February at 2.30pm: Instagram Advanced: Winning Strategies for 2020. This is perfect if you have a basic basic understanding of how Instagram can benefit your business and want to take your knowledge to the next level. You’ll learn where to dedicate your resources across your photo feed, story, live video and IGTV, as well as using Instagram for e-commerce. Book into this Masterclass here.

There are many other brilliant Masterclasses over the event including:

1. Getting your brand in the media hosted by Jen Bishop, founder of Interiors Addict
2. Fair Work 101: HR & Employment Law hosted by Charles Watson
3. Visual Merchandising hosted by Strategic VM & Retail expert and Co-founder of TalkShop, Sarah Quinn
4. Ten ways to get on Google for free hosted by Business Connect Advisor Jane Tweedy
5. How to use a Gift Fair to style your next project – a Masterplan for stylists and interior designers hosted by Natalee Bowen, and;
6. The Australian Advantage, hosted by Chief Executive of Australian Made Campaign Limited, Ben Lazzaro.

Unlike other trade fairs, the Masterclass Series is free to attend for all registered visitors. So book a free ticket here to join the AGHA Sydney Gift Fair from 21-24 February 2020. Masterclasses will be held in hub 2 located in the Dome foyer at Sydney Olympic Park.

Images above from Bambury

Design Life

Of course, a key highlight of the AGHA Sydney Gift Fair is ‘Design Life’: the go-to place for premium brands, international designs and the big players in their respective industries. Held in the Dome, Design Life is the must-visit buying destination for exceptional interiors and inspirational products for tomorrow’s spaces.

You’ll discover the latest ranges from brands including ColCam Enterprises, Home & Giftware, Papaya, Bambury and more! Prepared to be wowed by the scale of these brands on show!

Click here for an entire list of exhibitors featured within Design Life at Sydney Gift Fair 2020.

Images above from Bell Art Australia and Candle Bark Creations

Australian Made Pavilion

Finally, be sure to visit the Australian Made Pavilion, where the Fair has partnered with the Australian Made Campaign to shine a spotlight on home-grown ideas and locally-made products. This space shines a spotlight on our best ‘home grown’ talent – from homewares, to skin care, gourmet produce, and more.

With many Australian communities in regional towns doing it tough, this is a perfect opportunity to support local business owners. Explore brands including Bell Art Australia, Candle Bark Creations and more. Plus, meet with the Australian Made Campaign team to discuss all things Australian Made, from registering a product to using the logo!

Click here for the entire list of exhibitors within the Australian Made Pavilion

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So, tell me below, what are YOU most excited about exploring at the AGHA Sydney Gift Fair 2020?! Don’t forget to register for your free entry pass here.