An ambitious program at FASHION by Informa is elevating the trade show experience through curated, one-on-one business meetings. Started four years ago, it has grown to about 1,000 meetings annually.
The FASHION by Informa portfolio of events includes MAGIC, PROJECT, SOURCING, OFFPRICE and COTERIE.
FASHION by Informa’s team of retail experts matches retailers and exhibitors based on category alignment, business objectives, price points and buying intent.
Brands host private meetings in a dedicated lounge away from the show floor, with 10-15 minutes to present their collections, share their stories and discuss business opportunities.
The retail relations team also makes targeted in-market visits to retailers. In the second half of 2026, they will engage nearly 300 retailers through store visits and market meetings.
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“Brand curation has become a major differentiator for our events and one of the most successful programs we’ve launched for the retail community,” Ani Karapetyan, Director of Attendee Acquisition & CX, FASHION by Informa, said. “The program reflects the growing demand for more personalized, intentional and relationship-driven business connections within the industry.”
There are benefits across the board for the brands, the buyers and the show organizer. The brands get face-to-face time with vetted buyers who could easily miss them while wandering the show floor. The Informa team also gets real-time insights into consumer trends, buying behaviors, inventory planning and business challenges.
Rethinking the Show Experience
FASHION by Informa plans to extend its events beyond the show floor and expand buyer-seller opportunities from once or twice a year to year-round.
Simon Ferguson joined FASHION by Informa in May as Executive Vice President and, in July, Emilie Lewis was appointed Vice President of Events.
Ferguson sees FASHION by Informa’s events moving toward conference-style shows rather than trade shows.
“We’re creating categories to have very intimate roundtable type of discussions outside of the conference,” Ferguson told A Media Operator.
“You can go to the conference side and get a high-level education on what’s happening on an international level. Then you can step inside the expo floor and talk to a brand and buy a brand, and then you could go to a meetup on the show floor, and actually talk to someone who’s 30 miles down the road from you and running the same type of store or boutique that you are,” Ferguson stated.
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