EXHIBITOR FEEDBACK ON BCTF 2011

"Being at the British Craft Trade Fair is like being in the biggest nicest shop you have ever been in, surrounded by the loveliest and most interesting people you have ever met."
Jane Johnson

"This is the first time I have exhibited at BCTF and it has been a great experience. It has really helped me to move my business forward. I also had a page on the Design Edge website so I had already taken orders before the actual event. At the show I took far more orders than I anticipated, made some good contacts and met lots of other exhibitors. I'm really looking forward to next year!"
Leigh Shepherd Designs

"Another successful show continuing a steady increase year on year of orders since my first show in the early 1990's. After almost 20 years I've come to realise that, even in the Internet age, there is no substitute for meeting face to face with retail shop and gallery owners, with BCTF the ideal venue."
Ian Roberts - Stonesplitter Pottery

"As this was my first show, I was not sure what to expect. I can honestly say it was a fantastic experience and, depending on business development, I should very much like to attend again."
Lesley De Gruchy at the Harbour Gallery

"Great show, excellent venue and very professionally organised. Large number of visitors from far and wide and a lovely, friendly atmosphere and I made some great contacts."
Janice Parker

"My best ever BCTF! My jewellery was very well received and I had lots of interest from onlookers as well as buyers. I came back last year after a few years break and was surprised at the level of orders taken then. This year I tripled my orders! There was no hesitation in booking again for 2012! Thank you to all at BCTF for all their help in making it a great success."
Ann Morgan

"BCTF has already become a must-do event in my schedule. To be a part of such a high quality event which attracts so much buzz has not only been a success to my business in monetary value but in terms of exposure, contacts, knowledge gain and confidence as a professional it is invaluable."
Ella Mcintosh


"Thank you for putting on a great show again ! I have been in the business for 22 years and it is the only show that inspires me. It is a breath of fresh air in the year's calendar."
Sally Ratcliffe

"As usual, well run and always a good experience. I treat it as a welcome break from the studio. I felt that there were more galleries in attendance and much more of a buzz than last year. Many things to follow up and some enquiries and orders coming in. As we all know, it's not only what happens over the 3 days that marks a successful fair, but what can happen in the ensuing 362!"
Natalie Vardey

"Deciding to take part in the BCTF was definitely the best decision I ever made for my career."
Aradia Nista

"I had an amazing show - I covered my costs in the first day! I am already looking forward to next year."
Tabitha Tansey

"I am not aware of any other event that could bring me into contact with so many potential customers. This year's show felt a little slower for me than previous years. This may be a reflection of the current economic climate or it could just be the general variation you would expect from year to year. I do know of other exhibitors who felt they'd had a very good show. The best recommendation is that I've already booked to return next year."
Lewis Banks

"It was my first time exhibiting at BCTF so I was not sure what to expect, but took a number of orders at the show and have had more interest since which is great! "
Joseph Lamsin Jewellery

"This is my sixth year exhibiting at BCTF and I have, once more, been fortunate to gain new customers. This year, customers were buying more cautiously, however, for the first time I had several orders AFTER the show and was very happy with my final sales. I shall definitely be taking a stand again in 2012"
Sandy Mitchell

"I exhibited at BCTF for the third consecutive year in April and, as in previous years, it proved to be a worthwhile and enjoyable event....to exhibit alongside so many highly talented craftspeople is an absolute pleasure and an inspiration...BCTF is a show I never hesitate to recommend to buyers and makers alike."
Kate Toms - Angel Bill Trading Co.

"I had a fantastic show, I took lots of orders and there was lots of interest in my work. I have got exhibitions lined up as a result, one at oriel mostyn in wales next month, one at the yorkshire sculpture park nov-feb and a few others later in the year too. The trade buyers were all very lovely and less scary that I had imagined.""
Jane Blease

" This was my first trade fair and the response has had a significant impact on by business. We agreed many advance orders with customers from all over Great Britain. I was very impressed, both by the standard of the other stands and the quality of the buyers that visited us."
Neil Tregear - Tregear Pottery

"I had a fantastic show in 2011 and am looking forward to working with lots of new galleries this year from around the country. I was impressed at the distance that buyers had travelled to visit this event as many of the new outlets I now have for my work are in the south of England."
Catherine Green - textile artist

"The opportunity to exhibit my work and have so many wonderful conversations with potential buyers was invaluable."
Ian Swithenbank

"It wasn’t great this year in terms of orders at the show, lots of regular customers, not many new ones ordering, but I always get so much more out of it than just orders, exhibitions and other opportunities that come up over the course of the year, and of course it is important to maintain that contact so people can see how you are developing. I’m finding that people who took my card a few years back are now ordering from me, so Harrogate is something I can’t afford to miss! "
Judith Brown Jewellery

"Much better than I had expected as a first time exhibitor, and I met some really great people too!"
Lauren Van Helmond

"For me, it was a better show than last year and I pickd up new galleries - always exciting!"
Kate Rhodes

"'BCTF 2011 was a truly enjoyable event and I was very glad to be part of it. It was very well organised and the standard and variety of work shown was excellent."
See Sun Yung