Stephen Spencer + Associates reposted this
Important developments in the leadership of Spring Fair & Autumn Fair - following our Advisory Board meeting today it's clear the future for these shows is very bright indeed! #springfair #autumnfair #GLEE #tradefairs #leadership #retail #gardencentres
Spring Fair and Autumn Fair strengthen leadership teams Spring Fair & Autumn Fair Fair and Autumn Fair have announced a series of senior leadership appointments, Fay Tranter has joined the team as event director of Spring Fair, bringing with her a strong and diverse background spanning B2C and B2B events, marketing, sales, and event leadership. She has also worked in the West End, including a stint with Andrew Lloyd Webber, giving her a unique blend of commercial and creative expertise. Fay said: “Spring Fair has an incredible heritage and a hugely exciting future. I’m thrilled to be joining at such a pivotal moment and look forward to working with the team and the wider industry to build on its strengths, embrace innovation and continue to deliver real value for our communities.” Alongside this appointment, the team has also confirmed leadership plans for Autumn Fair and Glee, following the successful co-location of the two events. While both events retain distinct identities, communities, and sector focuses, the alignment creates an opportunity to strengthen the overall second-half-of-the-year proposition. To support this, Matt Mein has been appointed event director of both Glee and Autumn Fair, ensuring each event continues to deliver clearly defined value for its core audiences while benefiting from closer strategic coordination. Matthew commented: “Glee and Autumn Fair together represent a huge opportunity. Bringing these communities closer will allow us to create a more connected, dynamic and impactful event experience. The growth we’re seeing now, and the strength of the 2026 pipeline, make this an incredibly exciting time to take the next step.” Portfolio director Jackson Szabo added: “As the largest show in the UK, Spring Fair demands year-round strategic focus and dedicated leadership to unlock its full potential. Fay brings a fresh perspective, a wealth of experience, and an infectious energy, and I’m incredibly excited to see how her leadership will help us deliver even greater value for the industry. “With Glee and Autumn Fair coming together, alignment is critical - not just for the shows, but for the sectors they serve. Our ambition is to create environments that genuinely help retailers source better, plan smarter, and build more resilient businesses. Matthew understands the challenges facing the industry and the importance of serving distinct communities well, and that’s exactly what we need as we look to support sustainable retail growth across the UK.” Buyer registration for Spring Fair is currently tracking 20% ahead year-on-year, alongside a 30% increase in new brands, a 10% rise in new exhibitors, and a 20% uplift in international brands. Both Autumn Fair and Glee are currently tracking 20% ahead year-on-year, reflecting strong demand from exhibitors and buyers alike. Collectively, the two events delivered an 8% increase in buyers in 2025, and 80% of the combined floor plan is already sold for 2026.