Aviemore Trade Show is a three day trade only event for buyers to meet Scottish makers in the art, craft and gift sectors. The show has proved that it is ideally timed to place orders for the summer season. In the current economic climate we are all aware that it makes sense to leave ordering till the last minute, having our show at the end of April means that buyers know what they need to stock up on after the Easter holiday rush. This means that, at the Shows which take place at the start of the year, there is no need to guess too far ahead.

The exhibitor numbers jumped from 80 for the first show to 108 in 2008 and I am hoping that we can have over 120 for the 2009 show. All exhibitors live and work in Scotland and this is what the buyers who have come to the previous shows are really pleased about.

On the Sunday evening join us in the Four Seasons Hotel for a fun Pub Quiz Night with an 'all you can eat' buffet bar supper. There will be special prizes for the best and worst teams and also for the most imaginative answers. Go to the entertainment page to book your ticket for what will be a super night.

On the Monday evening there will be a free-of-charge ceilidh to which everyone will be invited as my thank you for your support of the show. This is always a superb night with everyone dancing to the Mackay Ceilidh Band. I hope that you will attend both evenings; they are proving to be a super way to network for both buyers and exhibitors as well as being fun.

The most important point is that I am trying to ensure that this show is as different as possible from any other trade show, with one exception - that we all do business!

I hope you feel that you can join us in what is proving to be THE show for anyone looking for Scottish-made goods at a great time of year to be in the Highlands.