The Shoal Wins Best Product Award 2022

On an early, sunny Friday morning at the end of March, we loaded the VW van with our fish and trade show stand, left Lyme Regis and drove straight to Glasgow.  Luckily enough our apartment for the next few days was located just across the mighty River Clyde from the SEC, where Scotland's Trade Fair 2022 was about to begin and where we were exhibiting as The Shoal in the Launch Gallery area.

We had some time to sample some local delicacies before an early night.

Saturday was build up day and we started early again.  The show organisers did a great job and it was easy to get loaded in and start building our marine display.  Entries for Best Product Award 2022 were being curated by the organising team so we took our chances and entered!  By early afternoon we were finished and could relax until doors open 930am on Sunday.

With a busy start on the stand first thing Sunday morning and first orders taken by our very first new Scottish customers, awards winners announcement at 11am came round quick.  The awards were sponsored by The Giftware Association and there were three experienced judges, the CEO of the Giftware Association, the Head Of National Museums of Scotland and a Director at House Of Bruar.  We headed to the mainstage, not expecting to win anything.  To our delight, we had won Best Product Award 2022 Silver in the Launch Gallery category!  The judges had awarded us based on the uniqueness and quality of our ceramic marine art as well as our business model and how we have progressed since our launch in 2020.  We were delighted and humbled to have won and we accepted this award also on behalf of the amazing artists we work with in Sicily.  We definitely now had something to celebrate along with gaining new Scottish customers!

It was a fabulous experience to take The Shoal to beautiful Scotland and start working with new retailers and partners in this amazing part of the British Isles and so inspiring to be exhibiting alongside other artists, entrepreneurs, startups, small businesses and big brands!

Pete & Diane