Business News Wales has teamed up with the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society to produce this year’s virtual Royal Welsh Winter Fair.
Despite Coronavirus restrictions preventing the event from taking place on the showground this year, the Fair will as ever showcase the Welsh agricultural industry – and its importance in both national and local food production, through a highly engaging virtual Christmas Market.
This key event in the Welsh social and business calendar is also enjoying full support from HSBC UK, with both RWAS members and the general public able to shop from their favourite stalls through an inspired online directory of trade stands. The usual two-day period of the Winter Fair has been extended into a 6-week online shopping experience, with stalls open from the beginning of November to ensure that gifts arrive in time for Christmas.
Mark Powney, Managing Director, Business News Wales commented:
“I’m delighted that Business News Wales has secured the contract to work with RWAS again, producing what promises to be an incredible Virtual Winter Fair. Whilst many thousands of visitors and participants will be disappointed to miss out on their trip to the showground, this partnership means they’ll still get to experience an exciting virtual event. As well as delivering this year’s Virtual Winter Fair experience to members and spectators, our production team will also share all sessions with our own daily audience of more than 20,000, putting the show in front of a new business audience this year. Our video, graphics, editorial and web development teams are working around the clock to ensure this year’s show is a digital success.”
Steve Hughson, Chief Executive of the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society added,
‘Whilst virtual events and meetings can never replace the feeling of being at a live event, we’re committed to doing everything to keep our events alive and support our many exhibitors, traders and wider supporters. The success of the virtual Royal Welsh Show demonstrated what can be achieved and I am sure that the visitors to our virtual Winter Fair will be able to get a taste of our unique Christmas atmosphere and buy locally produced gifts and produce that you can’t always find on the high street. And of course, we hope to be able to welcome you back to the showground as soon as restrictions allow.’
HSBC UK’s Regional Agriculture Director, Euryn Jones commented:
‘As a principal sponsor of the Welsh Winter Fair from its very beginning back in 1990 we recognise the event’s important role in the Welsh farming calendar, and we are pleased to support the 2020 Virtual Winter Fair. While we are all disappointed not to be able to attend in person at the Royal Welsh Showground this year, we look forward to the innovative programme of activities that is being prepared and wish the organisers every success in staging a memorable on-line event.’
The online shopping event will allow trades stands to showcase their work and products, as well as allowing visitors to support local businesses through buying produce that has been made in Wales and across the UK.
