Huddles - In Person

Within this article, we will go over the process of our in person huddle events!

What is In Person?

New to 2022, our Huddles are a boutique exhibition where you can present your brand to buyers from UK retailers including supermarkets and chains, department stores, independent shops, regional retailers, specialty stores, pharmacies and farm shops.

In speed dating style, there will be 30 brands each provided with a time slot to engage with each buyer, within their own stand equipped with furniture to showcase products to up to 20 retailers.

As buyers can engage with suppliers and feel/touch products as well as sampling them, interactions at Huddles events will increase the chances of successful partnerships. You will be able to speak directly to retailers, and answer any questions they may have face to face.

All eyes are on you for 10 minutes as you engage with buyers and pitch your products live to them.

I've booked In Person, what's next?

During the time leading up to your pitch, you will receive a number of emails from us detailing how to prepare for your pitch, top tips, and much more.

An Exhibitor Manual will be provided 4 weeks before the event, you can access this directly from your Product Guru account. This will give all the information you will need for the day.

If you have any further questions, feel free to email us at events@productguru.co.uk and we'll be more than happy to help.

How does the Huddle event work?

The evening before the Huddles, we host and evening socialising event for both buyers and brands. It is your perfect opportunity to network with industry peers and retailers ahead of the event the next day. 

Brands will be provided with a schedule of who they will be seeing that day and at what time. This is a perfect way to make things that bit more personal with buyers. 

The event will begin at 9am, and finish around 4pm. A break will be provided during the day as well as lunch and refreshments.

Benefits of the In Person package

After the success of previous events we have hosted virtually, we have decided to expand the market further and venture into hybrid events, to provide for personal and highly engaging interactions.

Key benefits of this package:

  • Get involved from in-person in a unique hybrid event championing product innovation in your category.
  • Guaranteed 1-on-1 meetings with decision-making buyers from leading retailers in your category.
  • Guaranteed exposure of your brand and products to buyers from major retailers in your category.
  • Get your products in the hands of all buyers at the event! Buyers will get to see, feel, touch, smell & taste (depending on your product!) and they'll have options to shortlist products, share with colleagues, connect with your brand and schedule follow up 1-to-1 meetings.

What is the cost?

The cost of our Live package for Huddles is around £2495+VAT for all 2024 events and £2695+VAT for all 2025 events. Included in this:

  • Stand space with guaranteed time slots to meet and engage with all relevant buyers - get 8 minutes to pitch!
  • Quality backdrop, table & chairs
  • Product shelves
  • Drinks reception & nibbles
  • Lunch
  • Network evening

What's next?

Once the event has taken place, you have the option on your dashboard to access your sample requests, shortlisted products and to message the buyers who took part on the day. 

You can access this via your dashboard by selecting Huddles on the left-hand side: 

Once you have entered the huddles section of the dashboard, if you go into your Past Events and Event Information you will be see a screen similar to below: 

Under Event Overview you have the option to see Samples Requested, Products Shortlisted and any messages you have received from buyers. 

Within the Event Action tab, you have the option to see Samples Requested again, as well as notes added by your team and any questions retailers may have added. After the event has finished, you also have the option to reach out to any buyers who attended the event. You can do this by selecting the Event Retailers tab on your dashboard. 

If you select the Blue icon this gives you the buyer's name within the company and their email address. Please note that if a buyer specifically asks for their email address not to be shared on the platform, we cannot add this. 

We highly encourage asking for contacts details onsite while in your meeting.  

By selecting the Green symbol, you have the option to reach out to these buyers directly on the platform.

Support

If you would like more information, feel free to email us at events@productguru.co.uk