Fergus Ewing MSP, the Scottish Minister for Energy, Enterprise and Tourism will open Scotland’s Trade Fair Spring on Sun 20th Jan. As well as touring the Show he will speak about the Scottish economy, tourism and the state of retailing.

Accompanying Fergus Ewing will be Mike Cantlay, Chairman of VisitScotland. With tourism as Scotland’s biggest industry generating £2.9 billion for the Scottish economy, many of the exhibitors at the Show are aiming their products at the tourist market.

At the Show’s newly created Seminar Theatre Mike Cantlay will speak about how tourism and retail are intertwined and help retailers maximise potential to this important sector.

Taking place at the SECC in Glasgow from 20-22nd Jan Scotland’s Trade Fair Spring and Scotland’s Speciality Food Show will run a series of interesting seminars throughout the Show on aspects of retailing. This will include Isobel Martinson, Chief Executive of the Giftware Association, on the business of opening a shop or online retail outlet, Alan Dickson from Retail Mentors, on how independents can succeed in today’s High Street and other industry experts on how to make twitter build your business and local promotions.

Almost all the 500 stands are booked now with a wide array of gifts, homeware, textiles, clothing, jewellery and fashion accessories. In the centre there will be a special Launch Gallery for innovative companies under two years old. The Fair is run in conjunction with Scotland’s Speciality Food Show. About a quarter of all stands are new exhibitors.

Fergus Ewing MSP said: “Scotland's Trade Fair Spring highlights how closely connected the tourism and retail industries are. Many visitors take home a souvenir to remind them of their time in Scotland and they take full advantage of our world renowned produce making a substantial contribution to our economy in the process.” Location : SECC, Glasgow,  G3 8YW E-mail : fenella@fenellataylorpr.co.uk Telephone : 01877 385772