Pitch Live is to make a return to Birmingham’s Autumn Fair (7–10 September) providing a platform “where creativity meets opportunity” as part of the competition-based event’s “commitment to fostering innovation, supporting emerging brands, and driving retail success”.
Here, exhibitors can pitch their latest product innovations in a ‘Dragons’ Den’-style format, “gaining invaluable feedback, increasing brand visibility, and potentially securing new listings with top retailers”.
The competition spans key sectors including Kids, Fashion, and Gift — each with its own dedicated pitching session during the show (Kids Product Pitch, Monday 8 September at 15:30; Fashion Product Pitch, Tuesday 9 September at 15:30; and Gift Product Pitch, Wednesday 10 September at 10:45).
Finalists are shortlisted from sector entries and invited to pitch live on the newly created Retail Corner stage, engaging directly with a panel of judges.
The winner of Pitch Live will receive 2 sq m space off their stand at Autumn Fair 2026, plus two one-hour consultancy sessions with Sharon Good, CEO of Good Results PR, offering mentoring, press relations, and strategic advice to accelerate their business growth.
Soraya Gadelrab, event director of Autumn Fair, said: “For exhibitors, Pitch Live is more than a competition, it’s a powerful springboard to raise brand awareness, build valuable industry connections, and receive expert guidance. For buyers, it’s the leading destination to discover the newest, most innovative products across Autumn Fair’s diverse sectors, all in one place. We can’t wait to welcome our entrants to the stage and support their retail journey.”
