As the Harrogate International Nursery Fair 2021 nears, we speak to Damon Marriott, product development manager at Joie to find out more about their plans for the show.
Preschoolnews.net: Will Harrogate be your first ‘live’ trade show since Covid? If so, what are you most looking forward to about getting together with the preschool industry again?
Damon: “We have actually just returned from a very successful face-to-face event in Spain where we were showcasing our range to our global distributor network, so we feel like we are getting back into the swing of things now. Harrogate will be our first face-to-face show in the UK and we are getting really excited to showcase the range here and see our UK customer base once more.”
Have you been running virtual showcases during the lockdowns, and if so, will you be continuing to use these as a tool?
“Yes, these were a great asset during the lockdown period and whilst we will still add these to the portfolio of methods to present, nothing beats a face-to-face meeting with the option to actually have hands-on experience of the products.”
What can visitors expect to see on your stand?
“This will be an opportunity to see a preview of our new fashion launches for 2022, as well as some exciting new product launches too.”
Are there any show offers to be had for retailers?
“Well, we don’t want to give all of the game away – so make sure you come and visit us on stand KS1 to see what show offers we have available this year.”
What’s the best thing about the Harrogate International Nursery Show?
“It’s a great opportunity to see our fantastic UK customer base and present products face to face. It also gives them the ability to try out all the great features of our products for themselves.”
And the worst?
“The worst thing is the length of time it has been between the last show and this one – we’ve had very little opportunity to meet our amazing customers so it really has been a long time coming.”
What plans are in the pipeline for your company for the rest of the year?
“Further growth is always on the cards and that is why we have just expanded our office facilities to accommodate the increased staff levels.”
And how has the last year been for you?
“Challenging times have continued throughout 2021, even after thinking we couldn’t possibly see another year like 2020, but a steady growth and an expanding product portfolio has made it worthwhile and very productive.”
