Melbourne Gift Fairs connect Australian makers and retailers

The August Melbourne Gift Fair season has come and gone, demonstrating the many benefits of in-person events for connecting local retailers and wholesalers with Australian makers!

From 8 - 12 August, the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) was home to two Australian Made Event Partners, two Australian Made Pavilions, and more than 20 licensees exhibiting across five days, highlighted by the green and gold logo and connecting local manufacturers with retailers and stockists.

Reed Gift Fairs, run by Event Partner Reed Retail Fairs, spanned doors 1–8 of MCEC, where visitors could discover premium wholesalers across Gift & Lifestyle, Home & Décor, Fashion & Accessories, Beauty & Wellness and more.

This year’s fairs saw the second iteration of the Australian Made Pavilion at Reed, created in collaboration with Australian Made Campaign (AMCL).

The Australian Made Pavilion at Reed brought together 12 Australian Made licensees to showcase their products in a dedicated area featuring custom décor and enhanced visibility under an enormous spinning Australian Made logo. Many of the licensees were exhibiting at a trade show for the first time and said they enjoyed the community of being with fellow Australian makers.

Exhibitors were given access to thousands of qualified retail buyers and additional marketing exposure through Reed’s own channels, highlighting ACML’s ongoing commitment to supporting Australian makers and creating opportunities for them to connect with key industry stakeholders.

Event Partner Australian Gift & Homewares Association (AGHA) supports thousands of businesses and individuals with its trade events, including the AGHA Melbourne Gift Fair. From doors 9–17 of MCEC, the gift fair introduced visitors to leading brands, new product launches, talks and product showcases.

Since 2021, the Australian Made Pavilion has been a highlight of AGHA’s fairs, offering Australian Made licensees a bespoke area to boast their certification and highlight the importance and benefits of being a genuine local manufacturer.

This year’s AGHA Pavilion saw nine licensees come together to create an unmissable stop for visitors, and an enthusiastic community of makers!