News + Press

New Business Lounge format announced for the CHSI Stitches trade show in 2025, featuring an impressive line up of Sarah's business partners and experts.

 

This year the experienced event organisers, ICHF Events, have announced an extended partnership with Sarah Hurley from the Sarah Hurley Academy.

 

Sarah and her team will be running the following features at the forthcoming show at the NEC, Birmingham on the 22nd, 23rd and 24th of February:

• The Creative Pitch - for the first time, held the day before the show to allow extra time for Pitches - where business owners can share their business or product idea with key players in the craft industry, including Sarah Hurley, Steve Mitchell and Simon Burns.

 

• The Academy – a programme of business speakers curated by Sarah Hurley, including a line up of impressive partners including TikTok, Sawgrass Ink and Retail Expert Paul Currie.

 

• The Pavilion – an area dedicated to start-up businesses coordinated by Sarah to give them an entry point to exhibiting and getting in front of buyers.

 

• The launch of the 2025 Hurley Report - giving an insight into trends for the Creative Industries

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• The launch of Sarah's new book 'Pushy Little Madam'

 

The multi-year partnership brings creative business education to the CHSI Stitches programme of events through Sarah’s new ‘Sarah Hurley Academy,’ launched in 2022. 

 

The Sarah Hurley Academy draws from Sarah’s industry and business successes to help entrepreneurs and small businesses at all stages. The Academy provides education to small business, entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs via a comprehensive range of courses and resources.

 

Sarah Hurley will be at the craft trade show at the NEC, Birmingham and will provide free advice from the academy stand alongside a host of new initiatives exclusive to the partnership. The entrepreneurial business advice is targeted at businesses at a range of stages; those starting out in the craft world, looking to start in the craft world, or those businesses looking for growth and direction.

Sarah Hurley said: "The academy and the trade show are the perfect partners for new and established businesses to focus and thrive in the retail world, especially at this challenging time. I'm looking forward to meeting lots of businesses at the event, whatever stage they are at, and providing advice and guidance."

Simon Burns, Managing Director ICHF Events said: "CHSI Stitches has a long and proud history of providing advice and support to small businesses. By its nature, the craft industry has a high percentage of independent businesses run by people with a real passion for what they do. We're delighted to partner with Sarah and to be able to offer free access to her advice to visitors to the show."

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For more information, visit www.sarahhurleyacademy.com. Follow Sarah Hurley Academy on Facebook or Instagram for updates. 

For more information on the Sarah Hurley Academy, and to join, visit: www.sarahhurleyacademy.com and visit on the day at stand B26. For more information about the show, visit: www.chsi.co.uk

 

To discuss exhibiting options, contact Steve Mitchell on +44 (0) 1425 460 811 or email stevem@ichf.co.uk 

 

For more information visit www.chsi.co.uk.

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About Sarah Hurley Academy

 

Sarah Hurley Academy is a trusted resource and platform dedicated to empowering entrepreneurs and small business owners. With a mission to provide aspiring and established entrepreneurs with the knowledge, tools, and resources needed for success, Sarah Hurley Academy offers a comprehensive range of courses and resources. The launch of Academy magazine further solidifies Sarah Hurley Academy's commitment to supporting the entrepreneurial community and helping small business owners create financial independence.