Craft East Buyers’ Expo 2026

EXCITING ANNOUNCEMENT

 

⇒ new partnership for 2026

⇒ new location

⇒ new dates

⇒ new format

Craft Alliance Atlantic creates new partnership with Canadian Gift Association

to co-locate the

Craft East Buyers’ Expo and the Atlantic Gift + Home Market to Halifax for 2026

See our Press Release Here!

 

TWO AMAZING SHOWS – ONE LOCATION

HALIFAX CONVENTION CENTRE, Halifax, NS

Show Dates: March 8 – 10, 2026

(new 3-Day format)

 

CRAFT EAST BUYERS’ EXPO KEY DATES*:

REGISTRATION OPENS JULY 4th, 2025

EARLY DEADLINE FOR PREFERRED RATES: September 15, 2025

SHOW APPLICATION DEADLINE: November 15, 2025  (late fee applies after deadline)

FINAL PAYMENTS DUE:  December 5, 2025 

 

Craft East Buyers’ Expo is a vehicle for the purpose of promoting crafts and giftware manufactured exclusively in the Atlantic Provinces. NOW, for 2026 to be Co-located at the beautiful Halifax Convention Centre for 3 Days in March 2026 which will feature the finest in candles, clothing, food, glass, home decor, jewellery, leather, metal, Indigenous art & craft, paintings, paper, pottery, stone, wood and much more all handcrafted in the Atlantic region.

IF you already have an active profile on the Craft Alliance portal, you can select your Booth, Show Extra’s, Show Guide Advertising, Photo Inserts and other choices, from the MAKE A SELECTION drop down list on the right side of the page.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Make sure you are logged into the portal, in your business profile, before registering.

 

CRAFT EAST BUYERS’ EXPO – CHECKLIST :

• Contact Craft East Office to Ensure Eligibility (new exhibitors only) – Product Review is required for new applicants
• Create a Producer Account or login to your online profile
• Complete your Producer profile.

Select “Projects” from the menu bar, click on Craft East Expo and complete the additional information required for the Expo

• You can pay the initial deposit of $250. plus HST, or the amount in full. (prior to deadline only)
• If you choose to pay the initial deposit of $250. plus HST, the balance will be due by the application dates specified
• All Show Extra’s Must be Paid in Advance, including Electrical Service, Tables, Chairs, Advertising, Photo Inserts, and any ancillary services, at time of booking.
• All exhibitors must complete and sign an Exhibitor Contract, which is attached to your registration confirmation.

ALL Craft East Buyers’ Expo participants receive one (1) full year placement in the Craft East Virtual Marketplace with registration.

EXHIBITOR PRICING FOR 2026: Craft East Buyers’ Expo

Exhibitor Registration is now LIVE on our Portal.  

Pricing for Craft East 2026 is shown below.  You must have a completed and approved business profile on the portal, in order to register for any Craft Alliance projects or trade shows.  Participants in Craft East Buyers’ Expo must have their business located in Atlantic Canada and your products must be substantially produced and value-added in Atlantic Canada, with product specific criteria. Product not produced in Atlantic Canada are not eligible.  

Shared booths spaces are permitted, however, a minimum of 1.5 booth spaces are required with a maximum of two companies sharing a space.  Both businesses must be approved and listed on the Craft Alliance portal.

A LATE FEE of $100.00 per BOOTH, NOW APPLIES TO ALL BOOTHS BOOKED AFTER NOVEMBER 15, 2025 DEADLINE

Convention Centre – C LEVEL Booth Spaces:  PRICING FOR 2026 is noted below

• 1 – Standard Booth 10′ x 10′:     $750. + HST  (Early Discount by Sept. 15th – $700. + HST)
• 1.5 – Medium Booth 10′ x 15′:    $1,050. + HST  (Early Discount by Sept. 15th – $1,000. + HST)
• 2 – Large Booth 10′ x 20′:           $1,400. + HST  (Early Discount by Sep 15th – $1,325. + HST)
• 1 – Shared Booth 10′ x 15′:          $1,110. + HST  (Early Discount by Sept. 15th – $1,060. + HST) Max. 2 companies
• Corner Fee (limited number):      $ 75.00 + HST (in addition to selected booth type, per corner – must select at time of Registration)
• LATE FEE:                                   $100.00 + HST (All booth booked after the deadline of November 15th)
• Electrical Service:                        $125.00 + HST Per Booth, per company – booked at time of registration
• Tables – Skirted 4 ft, 6, ft, and 8 ft  $45.00. + HST per table at time of registration
• Chair – per chair, per booth            $15.00 + HST at time of registration

• NEW Emerging Producer Spaces – see details below  —  These spaces may only be booked by new, first time exhibitors at Craft East Expo
  • Emerging Producer Booth – 5′ ft x 10′ ft  –  $500. + HST  (Early Discount by Sept. 15th – $475. + HST)

Photo Insert in Show Guide:   $60. + HST  (see show guide online for example)

Show Guide Listing for Shared Booths:   $60. + HST (listing for 2nd producer)

Emerging Producer Spaces.  A limited number of spaces will be made available with priority given to emerging makers, who are doing a wholesale trade show for the first time.  ALL Emerging Producer booths will be 5′ x 10′ feet and include Pipe & Drape. First time exhibitors only.  ALL Emerging Producers must have a completed profile online to apply.

IMPORTANT NOTE:  The new co-located trade show with CanGift’s – Atlantic Gift + Home Market are separate events that are sharing space at the new Halifax Convention Centre. If your business does not qualify for the Craft East Expo criteria, you can apply to CanGift to participate in their market.

Due to the shared nature of the new co-located event, space is limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Exact booth space sizes and locations are not guaranteed and at the discretion of Craft East Buyers’ Expo.  You may request options at time of registration.  We will do our best to accommodate your needs with the space we have available, though it is not guaranteed.  Inquire early for alternate space requests.

CRAFT EAST VIRTUAL MARKETPLACE:  Your deposit payment for Craft East Buyers’ Expo additionally includes exhibitor presence on the Craft East Virtual Marketplace for the duration of 2026. Learn more about the Virtual Marketplace.

PARTICIPATION Includes: 

BOOTH SPACE @ Craft East:  Exhibit spaces are a required minimum of One (1) booth. All basic booths are 10′ x 10′ and include Pipe & Drape, Printed Show Guide Listing and Wi-Fi Access, Access to Craft East Virtual Marketplace.  All other costs are the responsibility of the exhibitor, including, but not limited to; electrical services, tables, chairs, signage or other display materials or structures. Two companies may share a 1.5 booths space, as a minimum footprint. There is an additional charge for separate show guide listings for shared booth spaces.

WHERE TO STAY IN HALIFAX: 

There will be a selection of official hotels for exhibitors to choose from while staying in Halifax. We will be sharing that information in the coming weeks.

CanGift Association Members:

Current CanGift members can choose whether they wish to be located in the Atlantic Canada Handmade section, exclusively with Craft East Buyers’ Expo or to be located within the Atlantic Gift + Home Market section, with CanGift.  If your preference is to be located with CanGift, then you will need to contact CanGift and register through their application process.  ALL participants in the Craft East Buyers’ Expo, must have their businesses located in Atlantic Canada and your products must also be produced in the Atlantic Region and have a current profile on the Craft East Expo web portal. ALL Craft East Expo products and exhibitors are reviewed for eligibility.

LOCATION: Halifax Convention Centre, Halifax, NS

We set out to create a facility that truly represents Nova Scotia, and connects our province to the world. That started by speaking with thousands of Nova Scotians from across the province to really understand what is important to them.  Our building sets the stage for every event we host, both literally and through design. It opens up our city, bringing people from around the world to Halifax to experience our world-class hospitality.

With over 120,000 square feet of flexible event space in the heart of downtown Halifax, we’re ready to host any event you can imagine. Our versatile and flexible event spaces offer solutions for any size or type of event, from meetings and exhibitions to trade shows and conferences, we have the perfect space for you. See our virtual tour and view our image galleries to get a close look at our unique spaces.

THE NEW CO-LOCATED – CRAFT EAST BUYERS’ EXPO & ATLANTIC GIFT + HOME MARKET will be located on  C – Level, that is the trade show level of the convention centre.

Craft East Expo will occupy Halls C3, C4 and C5  –  https://www.halifaxconventioncentre.com/floor-plans/convention-level

SAMPLE FLOOR PLAN – May not be exactly to scale and subject to change