I am sad to announce the end of The Aviemore Trade Show.

For four years the show heavily promoted brand Scotland - buyers knew that they would see beautifully presented products which demonstrated the innovation, rich culture and heritage that Scottish producers possess, ranging from glass, textiles, jewellery to artwork and even soap - and all things in between, not just the perceived tartan, thistle and shortbread!

The Aviemore Trade Show was the only show which guaranteed the buyer that everything they saw was made in Scotland. There were no importers or agencies mixed amongst the Scottish manufacturers. Aviemore exhibitors were asked to sign a declaration to state that at least 90% of what they had to offer was both designed and made in Scotland, no other trade show can claim this.

There was going to be a problem with the 2011 show due to Easter falling on what had always been our weekend in April. I asked both exhibitors and buyers what they wanted from the show and how they felt we could progress. I got a great response and lots of ideas to work with. The resulting proposed plans for the 2011 show and indeed the future of the show in general was to change the date to the start of March, make it a two day show and improve the layout of the hall. Despite working hard on these improvements I have been deafened by the silence from potential exhibitors since the application form was sent out for the 2011 show.

So I have made the decision to stop here. It has been a six year project for me to organise the four shows, it has been hard work but I have enjoyed it all. Despite that for our second show we had the petrol strikes so buyers were reluctant to travel to Aviemore. Then the economic climate of recession has been against us the last two years.

I would like to thank everyone who was involved in any or all of the four shows as a buyer or as an exhibitor. I would also like to thank Macdonald Aviemore Highland Resort, without their backing the show would never have got started. Thanks also to the Awards Sponsors; the exhibitors who won the awards appreciated the support for their work. Thanks to the front of house/security team who were thrown in at the deep end in the first year but came back each year and did a great job for me. A final thanks to Jackie West (Jackie West Marketing) who worked hard in promoting the show, getting sponsors on board and constantly contacting Holyrood in an attempt to get real support from the Scottish Government for Scottish manufacturers.