2025 Calendar of Global Trade Shows for Handmade & Ethical Brands

Image Credit: SA Decor & Design (Maison & Objet)

It’s exciting that you’re ready to take your brand to the global stage, but knowing where to start can be overwhelming. With dozens of international trade shows happening across Europe, North America and Australia, often within the same season, it’s important to be strategic. Focus on attending events where your target audience already exists. Use your sales data, social media analytics or email engagement to identify the countries or regions where interest in your products is growing, and prioritise those markets. The right trade show isn’t always the biggest—it’s the one that aligns best with your brand, your buyers, and your growth goals.

From home décor to textiles, fashion and gifting, there are well-established shows across the globe that attract retailers, hospitality buyers, and concept stores looking for standout, design-led products. Events like Maison & Objet (France) and Ambiente (Germany) are known for elevating artisanal goods, while NY NOW (USA) and Top Drawer (UK) connect handmade brands with independent retailers and interior designers. Whether you're seeking market entry into Europe, North America, or Australia, attending these shows—even just as a visitor—can help you prepare your brand for wholesale success.

Plan Ahead: When International Shows Typically Happen

To help you build a long-term strategy, we’ve organised key global trade shows by month. These timings are based on recurring patterns from 2022–2025 and can serve as an annual calendar for brand readiness and trend alignment:

January

• Top Drawer — London, UK
• Heimtextil — Frankfurt, Germany
• Maison & Objet (Winter edition) — Paris, France
• Atlanta Gift & Home Market (Winter) — Georgia, USA
• IDS (Interior Design Show) — Toronto, Canada
• Las Vegas Market (Winter) — Nevada, USA

February

• Ambiente — Frankfurt, Germany
• NY NOW (Winter edition) — New York, USA
• Design Show Australia — Sydney, Australia
• Sydney Gift Fair — Sydney, Australia

April

• Salone del Mobile — Milan, Italy
• High Point Market (Spring edition) — North Carolina, USA

May

• NYCxDesign Week — New York, USA
• ICFF (International Contemporary Furniture Fair) — New York, USA
• Clerkenwell Design Week — London, UK

July

• Australian International Furniture Fair (AIFF) — Melbourne, Australia

August

• NY NOW (Summer edition) — New York, USA

September

• Maison & Objet (Fall edition) — Paris, France
• Paris Design Week — Paris, France
• London Design Festival — London, UK

October

• High Point Market (Fall edition) — North Carolina, USA

Even if you're not quite ready to exhibit, visiting these shows or following their trends online can help you understand what global buyers are looking for—be it material quality, packaging, storytelling, or trend relevance. You'll see firsthand how products are curated for different markets and gain inspiration for refining your own offer. At Meekono, we support sellers through this journey, whether it’s through collaborative product development, storytelling guidance, or wholesale matchmaking.

If you're looking for African-based trade shows to start your journey locally, we’ve created a separate guide you can explore here.