FEX defends exhibitor numbers

SYDNEY: Organisers of biannual trade fair Fashion Exposed have dismissed claims that exhibitor numbers for the spring/summer 2008 edition have fallen from previous seasons.

Australian Exhibitions and Conferences, which is in the final stages of organising the March instalment in Sydney, said 95 per cent of stands had already been sold with approximately 125 new companies on board.

It is understood that retail service provider Pathfinder – which had been exhibiting at the fair for seven years – and listed wholesaler Austin Group were two of those who reduced or terminated their presence at the fair.

AEC spokesperson Jane Harris said both moves were a result of external factors.

"Austin Group have repositioned some of their labels and will be bringing all of the ranges they have ready in their current portfolio," she said. "Pathfinder as a retail service provider is not our core focus, we are committed to providing a wealth of fashion labels and we are delivering on this."

Fashion Exposed will be staged at the Sydney Exhibition Centre from March 9 to 11.