Attending the Reed Gift Fair in Sydney was an incredible experience for IMAGINE Homewares and Hampers. As a proudly Australian business that employs people with disability to create our handcrafted candles, reed diffusers, room sprays, hampers and other products, we were excited to showcase everything our team had created, connect with retailers, and share the positive impact of supported employment.
However, like any major event, it came with challenges! If you’re thinking of exhibiting at a trade fair or large-scale expo, here are three key lessons we learned along the way.
Trade shows are a marathon, not a sprint. From setting up our stand to engaging with potential stockists, we quickly realised that patience was crucial.
The days were long, and some moments felt slower than others. Just when we thought the day would end on a disappointing note, we had a major retail stop in and express their interest in our products and our story. They were looking to source gifts to give to the attendees of a conference they were hosting, and wanted us to be their supplier. Because we didn’t pack away our positive energy early, we were able to showcase our brand to a major buyer who aligned with our mission.
We also learned that buyers often take time to decide. Just because someone doesn’t place an order on the spot doesn’t mean they aren’t interested! Building relationships is key, and patience helps turn initial conversations into long-term partnerships.
No matter how much planning goes into an event, something unexpected will always happen. Whether it’s a last-minute change to your stand setup, unexpected delays, or a missing box of stock, being flexible is essential.
At the Reed Gift Fair, we faced (more than) a few surprises, but we adapted. We met buyers we didn’t expect, discovered trends we hadn’t considered, and adjusted our approach based on the response we got.
One of the biggest surprises? The overwhelming support for our brand’s mission. Many stockists were drawn not just to our luxury candles, reed diffusers, and homewares, but also to our commitment to creating inclusive employment opportunities. This reinforced just how much customers value products with purpose.
Even with the best preparation, something will always go wrong—and that’s just part of the experience!
For us, a few small hiccups tested our problem-solving skills, but they also reminded us that perfection isn’t the goal. What matters most is staying positive, being resourceful, and focusing on why you’re there.
In the end, the challenges became learning opportunities. Each obstacle helped us refine our approach, making us stronger for future events.
