INFORMATION FOR EXHIBITORS
Where is the event?
This well established show takes place in the town of Wilmslow in the so called Golden Triangle of Wilmslow, Alderley Edge and Knutsford. The event attracts visitors from the town and surrounding area as well as further afield.
We host the event in the recently refurbished Church Rooms of the United Reformed Church, which is an easy stroll from nearby Sainsbury's and the town centre. Car parking is across the road behind Sainsbury's supermarket.
The suite of rooms for exhibitors is bright and airy with excellent lighting.
The 2026 event is bigger and even more exciting as it includes a partnership with Wilmslow Business Improvement District who are charged with promoting the town of Wilmslow and supporting business activity within Wilmslow. This partnership will include exciting plans to help promote individual artists and to extend the life of the show. More about this will be revealed to artists selected for the show.
How is the event promoted?
We do extensive local advertising using banners, posters and flyers. We also place paid social media adverts and use organic social media to promote the event online and provide copy for local magazines, newspapers, what's on listings and other media. We also work closely with the Wilmslow Business Improvement District, who help to promote our event with the local business community.
How much space is allocated to each exhibitor?
There is space for well over 30 exhibitors and we cap numbers at a maximum of 30 exhibitors to ensure that everyone has a good stand space. Everyone's space is a minimum of 7ft and will include one 6ft table as a minimum.
Are tables, exhibition panels or anything else available to exhibitors to use?
We do not provide panels, but there are enough 6' tables for each exhibitor to have one. Generally there is enough space for exhibitors to bring their own display panels and other materials. There are also plenty of chairs. Due to the nature of the rooms, it isn't possible to stick or hang items from the walls.
We have a kitchen for exhibitors to make their own hot drinks and we provide tea, coffee, milk etc.
Applying for our 2026 event
Applications for our 2026 event will open in late February 2026 with a closing date in early April. This is a carefully curated event and selected exhibitors will be informed before the end of April 2026. The cost to exhibit is £120 for our 2026 event and this is payable on selection. There is no charge to apply for the event.
The event will take place during the first weekend in October: Friday 2nd October through to Sunday 4th October.
A copy of your current Public Liability insurance will be required before the event in October in order for you to go ahead.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Social media can be a fantastic tool for your small business or event, especially for promoting events like open studios and art trails as there is so much going on. Novice or an expert, we hope there is something in here for everyone – it's a great idea to work as a community to raise the profile of the trail and each individual artist and maker.
Our Facebook page is http://www.facebook.com/wilmslowart
Our Instagram is http://www.instagram.com/wilmslowarttrail
How to use Hashtags. During the art trail and in the lead up to it we will use hashtags - #wilmslowart and #wilmslowmakers are all good ones to use during the event and in the lead up. Please use them when you're online.
Building Relationships
As with all social media platforms, liking and commenting on others posts is vital to start building up relationships. It does take time – it’s an investment – but used correctly it can be very successful for you. If you just post and don’t interact, you can’t expect others to interact with you or even to know you’re there. A good time to interact and start liking, commenting and sharing is just after you have posted yourself. This lets other users know that you are active and encourages them to visit your post.
Good etiquette is to respond to comments and to return the favour of likes & shares. Some very big companies still take the time to do this, even though they have vast numbers of interactions.
Take some time to try out different social media platforms; you will probably find one that you are most comfortable with and that you are getting the most engagement with. Aim to update and interact regularly, and vary your content. Don’t just use it to ‘sell’ yourself. Social Media is not your website; instead people like to see behind the scenes, your inspirations, your work in progress rather than just finished products.