Calling all sports merchandise buyers – there is nothing quite like an exhibition! It’s a place to see and touch the product, watch a demonstration and ask questions. Where else can you make so many professional contacts and build and reinforce relationships all in one afternoon?
How much time would it take to trawl the internet and make appointments to see more than 100 companies? An exhibition offers the chance to do this in a few hours. Suppliers use exhibitions to launch and promote their latest offerings and attending will make sure you are aware of all the new industry developments.
The most important event in the sports merchandise calendar – SMEX – takes place on Monday, March 3 at Chelsea Football Club, Stamford Bridge. It’s a chance to see over 100 suppliers of sports merchandise, network with other buyers – and there’s a free lunch too.
At Sports Merchandise a huge range of products will be on display from across the merchandising industry, including awards, BBQs, boxer shorts, cards, calendars, diaries, duvets, embroidered gifts, frisbees, glassware, hip flasks, jewellery, keyrings, lamps, pens, soft toys, t-shirts, towels, waste bins and wristbands.
The sports industry is expected to turn out in force. Regular visitors include buyers from Ajax, Aston Villa, Celtic, Manchester City, Manchester United, QPR, Reading, Tottenham, Watford and Valencia, who take advantage of the opportunity to see the huge range of products on show at the event. As well as the football clubs, visitors from the 2012 Organising Committee, the GB national baseball team, John Lewis, London Irish, Sainsbury’s, Warwickshire CCC and Wembley Stadium also use the exhibition to view new merchandise.
Mark Bell, merchandise buyer from Chelsea Football Club commented: “We find the exhibition really useful as it is a great chance to network with all our licensees and other football clubs all in one day.”
Sports Merchandise is open from 09.00 to 17.00 and entry is free. To register visit www.thirtyfortynine.com/smex or call 020 7798 8500.
