Success Stories: The Bambino Show

Events Management graduate Krisztina Horner recently launched her first business venture with a major event, ‘The Bambino Show’, in Harrogate on the 18 th & 19 th March. The event, which took place at the Yorkshire Event Centre was a consumer fair, similar in style to a wedding show, but catering for all the needs of new and expectant mothers and their children.

Hungarian born Krisztina came to the UK in 1997, intending to work here for just one year in order to learn English. Eight years later, and with an Events Management degree under her belt, Krisztina is still in Yorkshire and is now married to Paul, who has helped her set up her events business 'Ottimo' which translates as 'Excellent' in Italian.

A shopping trip with a friend who was expecting her first baby inspired the idea for the show, the first of its kind in Yorkshire . "She didn't know what to buy for herself and the baby and there were so many products around. I decided it would be a good idea to do something similar to a wedding show but for babies," said Krisztina.

In July 2005 Krisztina applied for Proof of Concept funding available from Business Start Up @ Leeds Met to help with the costs of advertising and marketing the event. The grant of up to £1000 is available to students and graduates of Leeds Met to help them prove the feasibility of their business idea.

As well as arranging for exhibitors of maternity and baby products, Krisztina is also organising an area where different organisations, such as the National Childbirth Trust, will be on hand to offer advice and support and there will be a 'Meet the Midwives’ zone for one-to-one guidance on everything from birth to breast-feeding. Expectant mums and new parents will have the opportunity to try out all the latest products from stylish maternity wear to high tech ultrasound scanners. There will even be a free crèche for children and free activities to keep them entertained, and a Pamper Zone providing beauty treatments for the adults.

The Bambino Show runs from March 18-19 at the Yorkshire Event Centre, Harrogate . For more information, visit www.bambinoshow.co.uk or contact the ticket hotline on 01423 819102.