With large gatherings still banned in the UK, The Greats 2020 gift retailer awards event will take place digitally on Wednesday September 30 when the winners will be announced.
“We have held-off making the decision about The Greats as long as possible, recognising their importance not just to the worthy finalists, but the gift industry as a whole, as a highly enjoyable networking event,” explained Jakki Brown, joint managing director of Max Publishing, owners and organisers of The Greats. “However, with the ongoing effects of Covid-19 precluding us from bringing everyone together physically in September, creating a virtual ceremony seems the best option for this year.”
The digital Greats Awards event will nevertheless still see the cream of gift retail recognised and rewarded at a snappy, online ‘ceremony’ to be screened from 7:30pm-8:15pm on Wednesday 30 September that will be free to attend by all Greats finalists, as well as other retailers, gift suppliers and agents, their families and friends.
As Sue Marks, editor of Progressive Gifts & Home and GiftsandHome.net adds: “Over the past 18 years, The Greats Awards have become one of the most exciting and hugely anticipated occasions in the gift industry’s calendar, and while we are all extremely sad that we won’t be able to hold the event in its physical format this year, this way we can still celebrate the outstanding winners and finalists who have shown true grit and determination in confronting the challenges of the current situation.”
Sue also paid tribute to The Greats sponsors, who have all given their support to the change in format for this year, as well as their ongoing commitment to The Greats 2021.
The Greats 2020 sponsors include (in alphabetical order):
Candlelight; Gift Republic; GiftsandHome.net; Gisela Graham; Good Housekeeping; Harrogate Christmas & Gift; Joe Davies; Progressive Gifts & Home; Premier Decorations; Progressive Greetings Live; Spring Fair and Autumn Fair; Wrendale Designs and The Giftware Association.
Details of how to attend The Greats 2020 Virtual Awards will be released shortly.
For a list of The Greats 2020 finalists, click HERE.
Looking ahead to 2021, The Greats Awards will be held on May 12 at a lunchtime/afternoon event the Honorary Artillery Club (HAC) in London.
