Visit FAQs

Autumn Fair

What is Autumn Fair?

Autumn Fair is the season’s number one wholesale home and gift trade event, welcoming circa 19,000 visitors through the doors of Birmingham NEC to trade with 600+ exhibitors over the course of 4 days.

What is a tradeshow?

What is a tradeshow?

At a tradeshow exhibitors offer their products at wholesale cost to visitors. This means that products are sold in bulk and at a lower price than the RRP. Visitors (retailers) are then able to sell those products in their stores directly to the customer.

In the case of Autumn Fair, exhibitors are often companies that manufacture their own gift and home products and visitors often own or work at independent retail stores, multiples, department stores or online stores.

Why go to a tradeshow?

A tradeshow offers exhibitors the opportunity to display their products to a large audience over a short period of time, to take wholesale orders at the show, and to build industry contacts and leads for future sales.

A tradeshow offers visitors the opportunity to meet their existing suppliers, discover new exhibitors and products and to place orders at the show or at a later date.

What can I expect to see at the show?

Wholesale Trading

At Autumn Fair there will be 600+ exhibitor stands located through the NEC’s halls, they will be grouped together in their appropriate sectors.

Each business owns a stand and will use this to display their products as they choose.

Our 19,000 visitors enter the arenas and walk around to trade and do business with exhibitors whose products they like.

Keynote speeches and seminars

Visitors can attend seminars from successful names in the industry. All seminars are free of charge and based on a first come first serve basis. 

The only exception may be if we are running specific workshops, as these spaces are limited. 
Once those wishing to attend have registered for the exhibition they will also be required to book a slot for their workshop of choice via the show website.

What is the everyday sector?

The Volume sector/Hall is a destination for volume and bulk wholesale gift and home products. There are many categories of products in the Everyday sector including day-to-day household items, outdoor activity products, and baby care.

Visitors & Registration

How do I register?

Registration is not yet open for Autumn Fair 2025, but you can register your interest by clicking here and be the first to know when free tickets are available! 

Who can attend?

Autumn Fair is strictly a trade-only event. Attendance is not open to the general public. Eligible participants include those with buying or purchasing responsibilities, involved in retail operations, managing spend, or planning to start a retail venture within the next 12 months. Suitable attendees encompass independent retail stores, multiples, department stores, online businesses, mail order companies, supermarkets, distributors, importers, wholesalers, and multi-channel retailers.

We advise that where possible, children under 16 do not attend the show. You can view our policy on children's attendance at Autumn Fair here.

Can you help me with a visa?  

We cannot issue personal/individual letters of invitation for visa purposes. This is a strict policy, and our customer services team will be unable to provide any further assistance on this matter.  

Is the show free to attend?

Yes, entry to all trade visitors is free.

Can I bring my children with me?

Autumn Fair is strictly a trade-only event. For this reason, we recommend that you do not bring children under the age of 16 to the site at any time.  
 
If you do need to bring your child onsite, you must strictly adhere to the rules outlined in our children’s policy here.

Can I bring my dog with me?

In line with the NEC venue policy, only assistance dogs are allowed on the premises. These dogs must be easily identifiable and accompanied by any necessary paperwork, which should be presented upon request.

I have a question about the venue, accessibility & travel

If your question relates to one of these topics, you’ll find all the information you need here. 

Code of Conduct

By registering your details and attending Autumn Fair – you agree to abide by our Code of Conduct. You can find details of this here, and it will also be emailed to you alongside your badge.

Should you have any further questions please use the handy Autumn Fair assistant chat bot in the bottom right corner of this website.

Venue information, travel & accommodation

Where does the show take place?

National Exhibition Centre,  
North Ave, Marston Green,  
Birmingham,  
B40 1NT 

www.thenec.co.uk

What date/time does the show open?

7 - 10th September 2025

Sunday, 7 September | 09:00 | 18:00
Monday, 8 September | 09:00 | 18:00
Tuesday, 9 September | 09:00 | 18:00
Wednesday, 10 September | 09:00 | 16:00

How do I get there?

To find out more about how to get to the Autumn Fair, please see our dedicated  travel page here.

Where do I park?

Parking is available in the NEC car parks, with regular shuttle buses to take you from these car parks to the halls. Standard parking is not pre-bookable, but will be free of charge for all visitors to Autumn Fair,  you will just need to follow the signs when you arrive.

Where can I stay?

To find out more about where to stay during your visit to the Autumn Fair, please see our dedicated  accommodation page here.

Is there free WiFi at the venue?

Yes, free WIFI is available throughout all the Show Halls at the NEC Birmingham. To connect, select ‘NEC Free Wifi’, and fill in the information form on your browser page.

Where can I eat / drink?

Themed cafés serving light snacks and refreshments can be found within the halls alongside numerous bars, restaurants and seating areas outside of the halls, offering anything from a quick drink to a more substantial meal. For more information, click here.

Is there a cloakroom?

Yes, there are cloakrooms available in the main piazza at all show all entrances. Prices start at £2.00 per item. Items are left at your own risk. Large cases accepted within reason.

Is there an ATM?

You’ll find free cash dispensers around the venue. Also, there are free ATMs located at the Birmingham International Airport train station and also within Resorts World

At the event

How do I find my way around the show once I have arrived?

On arrival to the show, show guides with floor plans will be available to collect at the entrance.

We will aim to have a sector floor plan available via the show website, near to the time of show open.

How many exhibitors can I expect to see?

The number of exhibitors you can see in a day depends entirely on your show objectives. For example, you may see only 4 exhibitors in a day and spend at least an hour on each stand speaking with the business owners and placing an order for your retail store. On the other hand, if you are attending to browse product and be inspired you may spend less time at each stand and cover dozens of exhibitors in a day.

Are seminars free to attend?

Yes, seminars are free to attend.

NB: Please note that as well as seminars, there will be workshops running. Some workshops will require additional registration/booking due to limited spaces being available. These workshops will be advertised as requiring additional registration on the show website. 

Are seminars ticketed?

No, our seminars are run on a first come, first served basis.

All we advise is that visitors arrive at the seminars in plenty of time to avoid any disappointment.

International information

I require an invitation letter to assist with my visa application. How do I apply?

Unfortunately we cannot issue personal/individual letters of invitation for visa purposes. Once you have registered via the show website you will receive a confirmation email which may be sufficient for visa application.

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