Anyone Going To NEC Autumn Fair

dottygirl

Hi a friend and I are going to attend the NEC Autumn Fair next week. It will be our first retail fair. Anyone got any tips on what we should do? I am going to make a list of the firms we want to visit. If anyone wants to meet for coffee to put a face to a name let us know. Keep smiling x

Horace

If you have pre-registered to attend the fair then you will be sent a little black book containing details of the exhibitors.

Wear flat shoes (trainers are best) - the reason I say this is because the Autumn Fair takes place in nearly all the halls at the NEC and there is a lot of walking involved. Take a packed lunch and take bottled water or something similar with you - these items cost a fortune at the NEC, expect to pay around £2.50 for a bottle of water and about £3.50 for an ordinary sandwich:eek:

Watch where you sit too - I made the mistake of sitting on a chair for some posh gardening magazine and was shifted off it by a snooty tart "oh you can't sit there, that is for our members" bearing in mind I was the only person sitting there and they had 10 tables and numerous chairs and not one person sitting on them - no members to be seen:mad: I had to sit because my back had siezed up from standing.

Keep an eye on your purses too because it is a busy place and you just never know. Take plenty of business cards too because you will need them.

I am not going to the show this year - I made the decision a few months' ago even though it is a show that I like.

Have fun.

PS. If you are travelling by car, make a note which carpark and where on the carpark you left your car because the place is vast and you can forget where you left it.

martindow

Be prepared for an exhausting time as it is enormous and you will walk miles. Last time I went I stayed in a local hotel and did it over three days. Although the halls are themed I found there was a lot of overlap.

As well as the Black Book, on their web site is a good product search which may be useful.

dottygirl

Thank you for your advice. I was going for the day I may rethink my plans. I am thinking of staying in Coventry (cheaper hotels). I am looking forward to the fair x

martindow

dottygirl wrote: »

Thank you for your advice. I was going for the day I may rethink my plans. I am thinking of staying in Coventry (cheaper hotels). I am looking forward to the fair x

It is very convenient to arrive by train at Birmingham International and walk straight in. Car parks are free but a long walk or bus ride from the entrance and can be congested especially when leaving in the evenings.

There are a few hotels on the NEC site but I think they get booked up very early on.

Hope the show is productive for you.

Auntie-Dolly

I found a small case with wheels useful for all the brochures & paperwork.

chalkie99

I've stayed in Coventry in the past and taken the train to the NEC - cheaper than parking and nice and easy.'