LIFEM

Exhibitor Application

We are pleased to announce that applications for exhibitors at LIFEM 2026 are now open. Our exhibition in Blackheath Halls is a fabulous showcase of all things early music, and an important marketplace attracting attendees from around the UK and the world.

Download the Exhibitors' Pack ↗

Photos: Anna McCarthy

Makers and exhibitors are at the very beating heart of our festival, contributing to the legacy of early music exhibitions in London spanning over half a century. Established brands come together with highly respected individual makers, publishers, early music organisations and more to create a vibrant atmosphere in the Great Hall. The exhibition is a popular destination for professionals, students and enthusiasts alike.

Exhibitors’ applications 2026 at a glance

Free exhibition entry

New for this year, access to the exhibition will be free, giving more people the chance to experience exhibitors’ work and wares. Attendees can still purchase day passes covering makers’ recitals, talks, performance platforms and more.

Exhibition stand rates frozen

No increase in price for exhibitors from the 2025 rates. Our Early Bird rate offers a 10% discount on advertised rates until Friday 31 July 2026.

Find out more

For more information about exhibiting at LIFEM, including rates, please download our Exhibitors’ Pack by clicking here. If you have any questions about exhibiting at LIFEM, we’d love to hear from you — contact us by clicking here.

How to apply

To register for the 2026 exhibition, please fill out the online form below or, if you prefer, download the PDF application form and submit to our administrator, Finn, via email by clicking here.

If you would rather download the form and send via email please download the PDF. Please return your form to Finn by clicking here.

    Application form

    Contact Information

    Stand Booking

    The charges below cover all three days. Please let us know if no table is required.

    Early Bird Discount: 10% off the advertised rate is available until Friday 31 July 2026.
    Spaces are limited and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.

    Additional Stand Assistants

    Additional passes are available at £10 each. Please enter names below:

    About Your Exhibition Stand

    Biography

    Please complete your biography for the festival programme, or attach a separate sheet. Your biography should introduce you and your work, including any specific products you will be bringing to the festival (if applicable). Please also include your social media handles where relevant (Facebook, X and Instagram). Length: approx. 80–120 words.

    Makers' Demonstration Recitals

    If you would be interested in delivering a Makers' Demonstration Recital, please email finn@lifem.org to discuss available slots. The fee for booking a slot is £50 — spaces are limited and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.

    Preferred day

    Additional Info & Requests

    Please comment with any additional information you would like to provide or request. Please note that any requests will be accommodated if possible, but are not guaranteed.

    Confirmation of Application

    Upon receipt of your application, LIFEM will issue an invoice via email. Payment must be received within 30 days of the invoice date. Late payment may result in your space being allocated to another applicant.

     

     

    Terms and conditions for exhibitors

     

    1. 1. PAYMENT

     

    Payment in full must be made within 30 days of receiving our invoice. Receipts will be issued once payment has made.

     

    Late payment may result in your application failing, and may result in your space being allocated to another applicant.

     

    1. 2. CANCELLATION

     

    Once the area has been allocated, exhibitors remain liable for the total rental charge unless cancellations are received no less than six weeks prior to the event.

     

    Exhibitors also remain liable for the full rental charge once the area has been formally allocated, whether or not the full area is utilised by the exhibitor.

     

    In the event of a lockdown or Government-imposed restrictions that result in cancellation of the Festival, a full refund will be given.

     

    1. 3. APPLICATIONS & STAND ALLOCATION

     

    All applications must be on the form provided, either using the online form or PDF application form (one exhibitor only per application form and stand). Bookings made by email will not be accepted unless received on the official application form.

     

    Exhibitors requesting stands in specific positions on the site will be considered sympathetically and the organisers will endeavour to allocate stands taking into account the nature of the instruments or goods being sold and the general layout of the venue. No request however should be deemed as binding on the organiser.

     

    A high standard of presentation is an essential requirement. Where tables are used they must be covered entirely by a cloth to the floor.

     

    STAND ASSISTANTS: Please note; assistant passes are limited to ONE per stand and their name to be included on the application form or alternatively before 1 October. Further passes are available at the concessionary rate of £10. These will be emailed to the exhibitor for distribution.

     

    Important: We cannot accept visitors’ names, lists of assistants’ names or passes left at the ticket desk.

     

    1. 4. STAND SIZES

     

    Please note when booking your stand space that this is for your entire display, including shell-schemes (where applicable), tables, chair(s), and access. Please also allow for personal possessions and stock.

     

    1. 5. TABLES, CHAIRS & ELECTRICITY

     

    Your stand space includes one table and two chairs. Please indicate on the booking form if you do not require a table for your stand.

     

    In the interest of safety, any extra lighting brought in by exhibitors will be subject to safety checks and so must be PAT tested and may be inspected during the event. Should the power supply system deem to be overloaded it shall be at the organiser’s discretion to request any exhibitor to disconnect lights or any other electrical appliances.

     

    Under no circumstances must anything be nailed, pinned or fixed to the venue floors, walls, windows or doors.

     

    1. 6. ERECTING & DISMANTLING OF EXHIBITS

     

    Exhibitors will be advised of the dates and times for the erection and dismantling and removal of exhibits in the final exhibitor’s letter approximately 4 weeks before the event.

     

    Please make sure your stand or exhibits do not intrude on neighbouring stands. Please keep the area around your stand free from extra stock, discarded cartons/packing cases etc., as these may prove hazardous to the public if left on walkways, aisles or fire exits.

     

    1. 7. PARKING

     

    There is ample parking in Blackheath Station Car Park which is two minutes’ walk from the Halls and offers very competitive rates. Please note there is no parking at the Halls themselves and that parking is not permitted on Blackheath Park.

     

    Exhibitors who need to unload vehicles will receive unloading information with the final correspondence.

     

    1. 8. SECURITY & PUBLIC LIABILITY

     

    All exhibitors have a responsibility to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of themselves and others. The organisers shall not be held responsible by any exhibitor/s or their staff/assistants or members of the public for any accidental injury due to negligence or unsafe displays or items falling from exhibitor’s stands.

     

    The organisers cannot be held responsible for loss or damage of stock howsoever caused during the exhibition.

     

    The organisers shall not be liable to any exhibitor in the event of the exhibition being disrupted due to major incident, civil unrest, adverse weather conditions or any cause beyond the organiser’s control.

     

    Exhibitors must have in force appropriate and valid Public & Products Liability insurance coverage for the duration of this event (including setting up and packing up) to be arranged with a reputable insurance company to a minimum limit of £2,000,000 per occurrence (this limit to apply in aggregate with regard to Products Liability). Exhibitors should make available for inspection upon request suitable copies of such insurance policies, along with evidence of the premium having been paid to and received by insurers.