Archive for the ‘Trade Show News’ Category

ASD LAS VEGAS SHOW WAS ALL UNDER ONE ROOF IN AUGUST

Sunday, August 1st, 2010

Well. the long awaited ASD Show all under one roof at the Las Vegas Convention Center has just come and went. Normally our company, Forum Publishing, has booths at the Sands Expo so this was going to be a new experience for us to be at the LVCC. We had booths in both the Central and the South Hall so we could better serve our clients.

The thought of one building made it sound easy for me – as I am used to going back and forth from the Sands to the LVCC in the August sweltering heat. The good news is that buyers could go from one hall to the next without stepping outside — a benefit that I truly appreciate. The trek is long but it is an improvement to having the show disjointed as it had been in the past.

Reaction from the buyers was interesting. Those who used to visit the Sands missed the Sands! The sprawl at the LVCC shocked many people, as when you see all of the halls and how huge they are it initially is intimidating. Having walked shows regularly, I wasn’t overwhelmed. The largest problem that the show had was the booth numbering. Every third person who came to our booth was lost and couldn’t find their vendors booths. This was evident to me when I walked the South Hall and aisles that started at number 500 would turn into 1200 or 3400 — all down the same straight aisle. While I am sure there was reasoning for this, it really confused the buyers I spoke with.

The show overall was well attended and most of the exhibitors that spoke with us said that they had a decent show. There was traffic, there was buying — that is a trade show. I doubt records were broken (except temperature ones) but the show was successful for most buyers and sellers. I honestly did miss the Sands Expo which is a little more fun to work in and especially when it comes to accommodations at the Palazzo or Venetian. Hands down better than the Hilton in my opinion. I had stayed at the Hilton 15 years ago and it hadn’t changed a bit…although I think they carpeted.

Next winter’s show will be split again between the Sands and the LVCC – and while some part of me is glad to be back at the Sands, the other part that has to run back and forth now by taxi or shuttle isn’t all that thrilled!

www.retailersforum.com for wholesale merchandise and news events in the wholesale/retail industry.

LAS VEGAS GIFT & RESORT SHOW…BEST BET IN TOWN!

Saturday, June 5th, 2010

Expected to increase 50% from its previous edition, the September 22-24, 2010 edition of the Las Vegas Souvenir & Resort Gift Show will return to North Hall 3 & 4 of the Las Vegas Convention Center with a wealth of new companies and top name manufacturers. As the show heads into its fifth year, steady growth and positive buzz have helped position it as the national event for the souvenir and resort industry.

The Fall 2010 edition will provide retailers with the most comprehensive selection of souvenir and resort products, including 450-plus companies showcasing destination, resort and tourist merchandise, souvenirs, t-shirts, beach items, coastal and nautical, lake, mountain and lodge, ski-themed products, destination, logo products, shell items, giftware, jewelry/fashion accessories, toys/games and more.

“As we enter our fifth year, the show has finally come into its own as the national resource for the souvenir and resort gift industry,” states Doug Miller, president, Urban Expositions.  “For 2010, we’re bringing an unprecedented product selection together with unbelievable hotel rates for buyers – in an ideal trade show city packed with world class dining, top name entertainment and countless other attractions and events –  to help secure the show’s position as the ‘must-attend’ event for the souvenir and resort gift industry. “Between the perfect timing and the wide variety of vendors, the Las Vegas Souvenir & Resort Gift Show is a “must do, ” adds Buyer Bob Uffer General Manager, Evelyn Hill Inc. Statue of Liberty National Monument Liberty Island New York, NY.

“The Las Vegas Souvenir & Resort Gift Show is fast becoming the retail show of the year,” adds Buyer ClayAnn Cook, Canyon Flight Training.  “A must have in my travel budget, this show has allowed my company to eliminate many shows.  Travel is less, lodging is less and food is less, therefore allowing us to bring several retail managers.  The timing is great as it gives us a jump-start on the coming seasons.  With the continual addition of new vendors and resources this is a must have for any retail operation in the country.
In addition to the tremendous selection, the highlights for the 2010 Las Vegas Souvenir & Resort Gift Show include:
$15.99 Hotel Rates for Buyers: To help retailers keep those travel costs down, Urban Expositions has bought down rates to offer hotel rooms for buyers starting as low as $15.99 at the Tropicana Hotel, which has recently undergone a multi-million dollar renovation.  For rates and to make a reservation, visit www.lvsouvenirshow.com

Goody Bag Giveaways: The first 100 buyers to arrive at the show on Wednesday, September 22 and Friday, September 24 will receive a special shopping bag filled with free gifts from many of the show’s exhibitors.

National Association of Retail Buyers (NARB) To Host Seminars and Networking Event:  NARB will host two educational programs during the Las Vegas Souvenir & Resort Gift Show touching on Store Planning and Social Media.  Make plans to also attend the NARB Social on Wednesday, September 22.  Look for more information coming soon.

Zoo & Aquarium Buyers Group (ZAG) Networking Events: ZAG will host a variety of networking events for its members, including hosting a hospitality suite, breakfast networking sessions and a special reception on Thursday, September 23.  Look for more details coming soon.

Show Hours:
Wednesday, September 22        9:00 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Thursday, September 23        9:00 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Friday, September 24            9:00 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Location:
Las Vegas Convention Center
North Hall 3 & 4
3150 Paradise Road
Las Vegas, NV 89109

Exhibitor/Attendee Information
For exhibitor information, contact Lisa Glosson, Urban Expositions, 1690 Roberts Blvd, NW, Suite 111, Kennesaw, GA 30144. Phone -678.285.3976, fax – 678.285.7469, email: lglosson@urban-expo.com.  For show information or to pre-register, attendees contact Cece Lee at clee@urban-expo.com or Jhana Jordan at jjordan@urban-expo.com or call 800.318.2238 or visit www.lvsouvenirshow.com.

Retailers Forum Magazine is proud to be a long-time media partner to the Urban trade shows and invite all readers to pick up the latest copy of Forum at any of their events around the country!

RETAILERS FORUM MAGAZINE WINS TRADE MAGAZINE AWARD

Friday, September 18th, 2009

Retailers Forum Magazine Receives 2009 Best of Centerport Award

Retailers Forum wins award

Retailers Forum wins award

U.S. Commerce Association’s Award Plaque Honors the Achievement

WASHINGTON D.C., June 8, 2009 — Retailers Forum Magazine has been selected for the 2009 Best of Centerport Award in the Trade Journals category by the U.S. Commerce Association (USCA).

The USCA “Best of Local Business” Award Program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country. Each year, the USCA identifies companies that they believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community.

Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2009 USCA Award Program focused on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the USCA and data provided by third parties.

About U.S. Commerce Association (USCA)

U.S. Commerce Association (USCA) is a Washington D.C. based organization funded by local businesses operating in towns, large and small, across America. The purpose of USCA is to promote local business through public relations, marketing and advertising.

The USCA was established to recognize the best of local businesses in their community. Our organization works exclusively with local business owners, trade groups, professional associations, chambers of commerce and other business advertising and marketing groups. Our mission is to be an advocate for small and medium size businesses and business entrepreneurs across America.

SOURCE: U.S. Commerce Association

NEW OWNERS FOR SEATTLE GIFT SHOW AND SAN FRANCISCO GIFT SHOW

Monday, July 6th, 2009

Urban Expositions announces its acquisition of the San Francisco International Gift Fair® (SFIGF) and the Seattle Gift Show® from dmg world media. The ownership transition will take place following the August 2009 editions of the semi-annual shows. The acquisition adds a strategic western region presence to Atlanta-based Urban Expositions’ growing portfolio of trade shows.

“We have been looking for growth opportunities in the Western US for some time now and felt that the San Francisco and Seattle shows offered the perfect complement to our show roster,” explains Doug Miller, president, Urban Expositions. “These shows now join our growing Las Vegas Souvenir & Resort Gift Show and new LA editions of the Material World & Technology Solutions textile shows to expand and strengthen our position out west. We look forward to building upon the outstanding efforts of dmg world media and GLM® – the shows’ current producer – to bring even more new business growth and development opportunities to the region’s gift community.”

“Urban Expositions is ideally suited to take over the management of the San Francisco and Seattle shows,” said Alan Steel, EVP, business-to-retail, dmg world media, which sold its annual Boston Gift Show to Urban Expositions in 2008. The Urban team has built a solid reputation over the years for its hands-on management style and commitment to customer service. Urban’s leadership has a strong understanding of the specialized needs of these events, their buyers and exhibitors, and we know they will bring continued success to the shows in years to come.”

Urban Expositions will assume all management duties from dmg world media following completion of the August 8-11 San Francisco and August 22-25, 2009 Seattle events. At that time, the company will take over all sales, marketing, operations and other day-to-day duties for the January 23-26, 2010 Seattle Gift Show, the February 6-10, 2010 SFIGF and all future editions of the two shows.

Held semi-annually at Moscone Center, the SFIGF attracts some 11,000 retailers ranging from small specialty stores and boutiques to big box retailers including Pottery Barn and Cost Plus World Market; from museum stores to wineries and much more.  The Show features more than 600 exhibitors who represent more than 3,000 lines.

The Seattle Gift Show® at the Washington State Convention and Trade Center and the permanent showrooms of the Pacific Market Center come together twice a year to host Seattle Market Week. These two world-class, easy-to-shop venues give retailers an opportunity to explore 10,000 national and innovative new product lines.  Together, they represent the largest market in the Pacific Northwest, drawing independent and specialty retailers, national chain stores and corporate buyers from the Pacific Northwest, surrounding states, Canada and Alaska.

“We plan to hit the ground running with both of these shows,” adds Urban’s Miller. “Buyers and exhibitors can be assured that we’ll maintain the same level of customer service and innovation they’ve come to expect from both of these shows. And, we’re already working on a number of new programs, promotions and product resources to help take these shows to the next level.”

For information on the upcoming August 2009 shows, buyers and exhibitors should contact GLM, a dmg world media business, 888 S. Figueroa Street, Suite 700, Los Angeles, California 90017. Ph: (213) 430-2300 fx: (213) 362-5660.

For exhibitor, buyer or other show information on the Winter 2010 events, contact Urban Expositions, 1690 Roberts Blvd, Ste 111, Kennesaw, GA 30144, 800.318.2238 or 678.285.3976, www.urban-expo.com or email: info@urbanexpositions.com. This information brought to you by the leading magazine for wholesale merchandise, Retailers Forum Magazine.

NORTON SHOWS CELEBRATE 22 YEARS OF WHOLESALE MERCHANDISE TRADE EVENTS!

Friday, April 3rd, 2009
Retail buyers from all over the country were in Sevierville to pick out the latest and greatest spring items at the Norton’s Apparel, Jewelry and Gift Market show at the Sevierville Events Center.

The all-season wholesale merchandise market celebrates its 22nd year and continues to offer various merchandise such as sterling silver jewelry, women and children’s apparel, gourmet food and furniture.

“We always start in March and go through November, which is when we have our Christmas show,” said co-owner Tom Norton. “We have a theme for every show, and this one is Barbie’s 50th birthday – so you’ll be seeing a lot of pink.”

A reception celebrating the Mattel doll’s anniversary is set for today at the events center for vendors and buyers.

Norton Shows were held previously at the Gatlinburg Convention Center, but because of space issues, recently moved to the Sevierville Events Center.

“We really like it here – it’s easy to get in and out of, Norton said.

Monogrammed purses and jewelry seemed to be all the rage at this weekend’s show and bestsellers for vendors such as Silver Wholesale of Myrtle Beach.

“We sell mostly to gift shops and boutique owners – very girly stores,” said owner Denise Dunman. “Most of the shop owners we see here are from Tennessee.”

Dunman has been a part of Norton Shows for 10 years. “It was my very first wholesale show,” she said.

Last spring’s show attracted 12,000 buyers. The first Norton Show in Sevierville was in November 2007.

This article originally appeared in the Mountain Press and is brought to you by www.retailersforum.com the source for wholesale merchandise.

JAVITS CENTER IN NEW YORK EXPANSION FINALLY APPROVED

Wednesday, April 1st, 2009

New York State’s economic development agency, the Empire State Development Corporation, has approved a proposed $463 million expansion and renovation of the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in Manhattan, New York Gov. David Paterson announced last week.

The project, proposed by the New York Convention Center Development Corporation (CCDC)—which will also oversee it—calls for a 100,000-square-foot expansion that will add 40,000 square feet of new exhibition space to the existing facility. Renovations, meanwhile, call for a full roof replacement to give the building a new “green” roof, replacement of the center’s exterior curtain wall, and a series of repairs and upgrades to the building’s mechanical systems.

“The expansion and renovation of the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center is a vital component of New York State’s economic revitalization plan,” Gov. Paterson said in a statement. “We have taken the realities of the current economic climate into account and made adjustments so that we can move forward. Since its opening in 1986, the convention center has been New York City’s primary venue for large conventions, exhibitions and major trade shows. This project will provide thousands of jobs, helping to stimulate our economy. This is the type of critical investment in infrastructure that will help secure a prosperous future for both the city and the state.”

Although he expressed thanks to state government for green-lighting the convention center project, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg was quick to point out that he hopes the short-term expansion will be followed by more aggressive long-term plans.

“The modest expansion is at least a first step toward meeting the continuing demand for additional convention space,” he said. “The convention industry represents an enormous opportunity for New York City and our local economy. It was important to move forward with this renovation, and it must be followed by a long-term plan to enhance New York City’s convention business.”

Added NYC & Company CEO George Fertitta, “New York City is an attractive place to conduct business. With first-rate meeting facilities, outstanding convention and tradeshow venues, business-friendly hotels, and the promise of record-breaking attendance, the City is a natural draw for meeting planners. The plan for a refreshed and modernized Javits Center will further elevate our position as a premier convention and meetings destination.”

Work on the convention center—which will remain open during construction—is expected to begin immediately, pending approval by the state’s Public Authority Control Board. The expansion is expected to be complete by 2010 and renovations by 2013.

This article brough to you by www.retailersforum.com