Everything you need to know about Conference this year
Important information for Charity Retail Conference sponsors and exhibitors
Keep this page handy so you can refer to it in the run up to Conference.
General information
From deliveries and dress codes to safety and security - and lots more.
Badges
The CRA will provide clips for name badges, but if you'd rather have a lanyard you'll need to bring one with you.
Cloakroom and bag checks
We will have a cloakroom facility at reception. There may be random bag checks in the light of The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 (referred to as Martyn’s law).
Deliveries and collections
Deliveries should be made to site on build day Tuesday 24 June
FAO Graham Duke
Charity Retail Conference
[Stand number] or [company name]
Entrance One
Harrogate Convention Centre
King's Road
Harrogate HG1 5LA
Don’t forget to display if it is item 1 of 2, or 2 of 4, so the venue can easily track packages on-site.
Items must be collected between 11.30am – 6pm on Thursday 26 June. There is no storage.
Documentation (RAMS / Insurance etc)
Following the bringing into law of The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 (referred to as Martyn’s law) there are additional H&S requirements this year, and we have a dedicated H&S Manager on-site, Karen Edwards. Please be able to produce a copy of your stand build and breakdown risk assessment if asked, and your insurance documentation, if not provided to CRA already.
Drinks reception venue
The pre-Awards dinner drinks reception will take place in the exhibition hall 6.45 - 7.45pm. You are not expected to attend to your stands during this time, it is a networking opportunity.
High vis jackets
These must be worn at all times in the exhibition hall during setup (until 9.30am Wed 25 June) and break down (from 11.20am on Thursday 26 June). Please bring high vis jackets! The CRA has a very limited number. And please wear suitable footwear for set-up and break-down. No open-toed or backless shoes.
Lead scanning (in-app lead retrieval)
If you have requested in-app lead retrieval - the ability to scan QR codes on delegate badges to obtain their contact details - it should work once you have logged in to the app at Conference. If you haven’t requested this and would like to purchase it, please email Susan. Or if you decide at Conference, Anna or Susan can help you.
It comes free with Headline sponsorship, or can be bought for £220 + VAT.
Power / electric drops
You will have already told us about your requirements on the H&S form regarding power upgrades or extra outlets.
You may only use a 4-socket extension cable, or less per electric drop.
No wheeled cable extension cords are allowed.
You may not stretch your power cord more than 2m from your electric drop site.
Security - signing in and out
On arrival everyone must sign into site, and sign-out on departure, and you will be given a coloured paper wristband so security know you’re part of our event set-up or breakdown.
Session attendance
Please do go to any keynote or focus session in the main hall (Hall D). Download the Conference programme below to find out what these are. Please do not go to sessions run by fellow corporate members unless agreed. Other sessions depend on availability on the day. Charity delegates get priority seats.
C5: Future trends; co-creating circular fashion with young people and D6: Making the most of lower value donations are both fully booked.
Loading and unloading
Access to the exhibition is from 2pm until 5pm on Tuesday 24 June for set-up, unless otherwise agreed with Susan or Anna. Or 8am until 9.30am on Wednesday. Everyone must sign in on-site and wear a hi-vis jacket.
Directions to Dragon Road
Big builds, vans, lorries and those with bulky items MUST go to Dragon Road car-park to get a permit to come down and use the loading bay outside Studio One (the exhibition hall) The road to the loading bay is called Dragon Road. Here are instructions on how to get there.
Event traffic procedure
Once you have arrived at the Dragon Road holding facility, here's what happens next.
Smaller loads and cars
If you only have a few smaller items, like pull-up banners you will find it easier to skip Dragon Road and go straight to Harrogate Convention Centre’s underground car park. You will need to pay to park and can then unload straight into Entrance One from here. You could either pay an hour and move your car, or stay for the duration.
Please do not pull up outside the front doors of Entrance One.
You will need to wear a high-vis jacket and sign in.
Unloading / loading instructions
Unloading is on the flat this year (not on the ramp), and we can unload two vans simultaneously. This should ensure a speedier process than in previous years.
There will be porters on hand to support with unloading and loading, as well as flatbed trollies. There is no forklift on-site.
Items need to be manually lifted from the flat floor up the ramp and into the exhibition. Please bring your own trollies if you know you have a lot to unload.
Parking once unloaded
Once you have unloaded your car or van you should then depart and find somewhere to park for the duration of Conference. You can use Dragon Road car park, Harrogate Convention Centre’s underground car park or a number of other car parks in Harrogate.
Please note that all of these are pay and display car parks and you should pay to park for the duration of conference.