The Australian Gift and Homewares Association (AGHA) is launching a new seminar series at the rebranded Gift & Home Expo (formerly Sydney Gift Fair), held at Sydney Showground from 17 to 20 February 2024.

Designed to promote professional growth, The Success Studio will bring together some of the industry’s brightest minds and provide innovative strategies and actionable insights to uncover the secrets to success across a diverse range of fields including intellectual property, AI, design, digital marketing, product design and development and trend forecasting.

Sessions include:

The secret language of colour: referencing Pantone for effective colour communication (Sunday 18 Feb 2.30pm)

Presented by Esther Hales, business services Pantone consultant at Seaga Group, this session is an introduction to the Pantone colour system and understanding the importance of colour referencing and communication through your supply chain including how to bring colour to life in the digital world with the new Pantone Connect application and the external link with Adobe services.

Gucci Poochie, Ruined Tesla, AI Sushi: brand protection, ChatGTP, IP, privacy and the legal concerns of AI (Monday 19 Feb 11.30am)

Brands are being copied, data is being stolen and artificial intelligence (AI) continues to transform industries and redefine the way we work. In this session award-winning lawyers Sarah Cappello and Tyrone Walker of Hunt & Hunt Lawyers will cover topics of brand protection, ChatGPT, IP, privacy and the legal concerns of AI.

This session is a must for anyone who would like to gain valuable insights into the legal concerns that arise when AI technologies are utilised or how a business like Gucci Poochie is trading in Australia.

Designing diversity: cross-cultural elements for gift and homewares (Saturday 17 Feb 2.30pm)

Moderated by Bonnie Shek, director ANZ Hong Kong Trade Development Council, this star-studded panel of industry leaders will provide invaluable insights ranging from market dynamics and colour trends to the intricacies of product design and sourcing strategies.

Jenny Li, trend specialist, ANZ of WGSN, will delve into industry dynamics and colour trends, providing key insights into the evolving landscape of gifts and homewares. Cristina Re, renowned designer for the luxury lifestyle product brand Cristina Re, will unveil the secrets behind crafting innovative designs, inspiring creativity and offering a unique perspective on the art and science of designing impactful products. Samantha Morgan, head of merchandise of IsAlbi, will share essential tips and strategies for effective sourcing as well as her valuable insights into navigating the supply chain to ensure a competitive edge in this dynamic market.

The expanding world of licensing (Monday 19 Feb 2.30pm)

Licensing continues to redefine the landscape of modern marketing, offering retailers an unprecedented array of exciting opportunities and avenues for growth. As consumers increasingly seek unique products, licensing becomes a powerful tool for retailers to curate diverse and compelling offerings. This dynamic strategy not only enhances brand visibility but also opens doors to collaborations that transcend traditional boundaries. Retailers can now explore innovative partnerships with iconic brands, leveraging their established emotional connections to captivate a broader audience.

In this session Justin Watson (co-founder and managing director, Asembl) and Rosalie May (marketing director, Merchantwise Group) will explore the basics of licensing for brand owners, manufacturers and retailers with in-depth review of successful licensed programs. 

Growing your business with Instagram (Sunday 18 Feb 11.30am)

Renowned marketing mentor Emily Osmond, founder of The Modern Marketing Collective, will run this practical workshop sharing how to build your Instagram audience, drive interest with your brand and turn that interest into sales.

This session is a must for anyone who wants to use Instagram to grow their business or brand. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, you’re guaranteed to learn something new.

Top 10 HR mistakes and how to avoid them (Saturday 17 Feb 11.30am)

Sean Wilson, CEO and managing director of BetterHR, will dive into the vital aspects of managing your workforce effectively and ensuring legal compliance.

Gain valuable insights on common HR mistakes and how you can avoid them. Hiring workers lawfully, avoiding underpayments, employee engagement, performance management and ensuring your business maintains a motivated and productive team to maximise success.

The Success Studio will be held in Hall 3 of the Gift & Home Expo and is open to all attendees.

Click here for more information.