The Gift and The Gab
Hello and welcome to The Gift & The Gab, our new monthly virtual coffee morning!
We’re delighted to introduce The Gift & The Gab — an informal, friendly online space where our members can grab a coffee, settle in and join the conversation.
Taking place on the third Thursday of every month*, these sessions are designed to bring our community together to talk about the things that really matter right now in the world of giftware.
Each session will focus on a specific topic, exploring what’s happening in the wider business landscape and what it means for you and your business. Where possible, we’ll be joined by expert speakers and there will always be plenty of time for questions, open discussion, and shared experiences.
Sessions
Thurs 16th April - New Business Changes to Compliance with Quest
Utilising our service providers Quest, who offer a range of legal and compliance guidelines on how they can help your business with Compliance.
Thurs 21st May - Selling with Amazon with Amazon Expert: Vicki Weinberg
With nearly decade‑long, hands‑on experience, Vicki will lead our discussion on Amazon selling, highlighting what genuinely works and how to make the most of the opportunities available. Whether you are just starting out or looking to refine your approach, this session is designed to remove confusion and support sustainable growth.
Thurs 18th June - Christmas trends and emotion-led marketing themes for the 2026 festive season: Hannah Bartlett from Jolly Festive
Utilising her expertise as a year‑round Christmas writer, researcher and trend forecaster, Hannah will lead our discussion on Christmas trends and emotion‑led marketing themes for the 2026 festive season. Highlighting what resonates most with consumers at Christmas, she will explore how brands can connect through meaningful, emotionally driven storytelling. Whether you are planning ahead or refining your festive strategy, this session is designed to inspire creativity and help shape a Christmas that truly connects.
Thurs 16th July - Energy sector insight and how global events affect pricing with Ryan Hughes Francis from REVO Utilities
Ryan has offered a list of additional topics he can speak on should we need them in the future: Membership Renewal through REVO, Telecoms, Energy Winter pricing and strategy, Water Waste, Renewables & EV and Energy, Budgeting 2027 Forecasting
Thurs 20th Aug - The Price of Trade: Navigating International Markets with Giles Lloyd from Compare FX
Drawing on his expertise within the foreign exchange industry, Giles will lead our discussion on The Price of Trade: Navigating International Markets. Drawing on years of experience across both sides of the FX landscape, he will explore how global market forces shape the true cost of international trade and why transparency in foreign exchange matters more than ever. Whether you are trading internationally already or assessing your exposure, this session is designed to provide clarity, build confidence and help businesses make more informed decisions when operating across borders.
Thurs 17th Sep - TBA
Thurs 15th Oct - The Behavioural Science of Marketing
Drawing on his expertise, Steve Manser of DCUK will lead our discussion on The Behavioural Science of Marketing. With deep experience spanning marketing strategy, buyer behaviour, persuasion and influence, Steve will explore what truly drives customer decision‑making and how businesses can apply behavioural insight to achieve more effective, customer‑focused results. Supported by a robust skill set across direct marketing, consumer insight, media buying, social media and B2B, this session is ideal for anyone looking to sharpen their marketing approach, improve communication and influence, and deliver more impactful activity.
Thurs 19th Nov - TBA
Thurs 17th Dec - TBA
Thurs 21st Jan '27 - EXPLORING CX TRENDS IN RETAIL AND HOW TO USE THEM COST-EFFECTIVELY TO MAXIMISE ROI
Bringing a wealth of expertise, Stephen Spencer of Stephen Spencer & Associates will lead a dynamic session on the latest CX trends shaping retail and how to use them cost-effectively to drive ROI. With deep insight into customer experience, consumer behaviour, and commercial strategy, Stephen will reveal what’s changing, what matters, and how to turn insight into action. Perfect for anyone looking to elevate customer journeys, maximise impact, and stay ahead in a fast-moving retail landscape.
Thurs 18th Feb '27 - TBA
Why Join?
· Learn more about the issues affecting giftware right now
· Ask questions in a relaxed, supportive setting
· Share ideas, concerns, and experiences with fellow members
· Help shape future topics — this is your space
· Strengthen your community so we can grow and move forward together
The more voices in the room, the more valuable these sessions become — and we really want our members to lead the conversation. If there’s a subject you’d like us to explore or an expert you’d love to hear from, let us know, and we’ll do our best to make it happen.
So, pop the kettle on, bring your thoughts (and your favourite mug), and join us for The Gift & The Gab — we can’t wait to see you there.
*Dates may occasionally change due to industry events and calendar availability.