AGHA is looking forward to the future with new initiatives aimed to improve the gift and homewares industry and support its members.
In an online presentation, AGHA CEO Anita Campbell laid out the association’s new strategic direction for 2025/26, starting with ‘rightsizing not downsizing’ the Sydney Gift Fair.
While still covering the same number of square metres, the three-day fair (14 to 16 February 2026) will be moved to halls five and six at Sydney Showground (Olympic Park).
“Ongoing challenges at the Sydney Gift Fair including declining participation and revenue as a result of broader economic conditions and changing exhibitor priorities has led to a ‘right-sizing’ of the event to make the fair more cost-effective and sustainable, ensuring continued value for all participants,” Campbell pointed out in the presentation.
“Exhibitors are downsizing theirs stands to manage costs and we need to support this.”
While the Melbourne August Gift Fair will remain at the MCEC in August, she also shared the news that AGHA has taken over Melbourne Gift & Lifestyle from Expertise Events, to be held from 31 January to 2 February 2026.
“Members have told me that the gift fairs are still very important and relevant, however, they prefer more local versions in a (smaller and) more cost-effective format. Hence, besides Gift & Lifestyle in Melbourne we are also introducing a Brisbane Gift Fair (16 to 18 October) and Perth Member Connect (29 October 2025).”
The Brisbane Gift Fair will be held at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, strategically scheduled closer to the Christmas season to maximise relevance and commercial opportunity.
AGHA Member Connect is a series of networking events to connect AGHA members outside the traditional fairs. The event in Perth will be expanded to include a table top exhibition event with the aim of expanding these to other regional centres.
Other initiatives include the AGHA Academy, a Partnership Program and AGHA Global Gateway (29 and 30 May 2026), an international sourcing event for wholesale businesses to attend and will include a full destination experience with additional networking opportunities available over the two days.
“At the heart of AGHA’s renewed approach is a strategic plan focused on restoring core member services and delivering a more robust membership program. The association has weathered past challenges and it is time for meaningful and lasting change to restore trust and rebuild services.
“Above all, AGHA is reinforcing its commitment to member engagement, collaboration and delivering tangible value. We are listening, learning and taking decisive action. Our goal is to evolve alongside our members and to create opportunities that genuinely support their success.”
AGHA Melbourne Gift Fair is held from 2 to 6 August 2025 at the MCEC.
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