February 2012

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Dallas Market Center

Dallas Market Center launched Operation Re-Store in September as a special travel assistance program to help retailers in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Texas to attend market in Dallas to restock their store and rebuild their businesses. Of the 124 stores visited, 60 were back in business, 25 remained closed, 28 were destroyed or not operational and 11 were out of business.

“The team’s goal was to communicate to retailers that Dallas Market Center cares and stands ready to help when they are ready for our help,” said Jane Robertson, senior vice president of marketing at Dallas Market Center, in the statement. “Many store owners were appreciative of the personal visit to see how the hurricane had affected them. Team Re- Store was also inspired by the strength of the human spirit. They met people who were coping with great challenges with determination and humor.”

Many of the retailers are still living in hotels or in their stores. They need to hire additional help, but it’s hard to find people to employ because there’s no place to live. Fortunately, many manufacturers are giving them discounts and extending terms of payment. These retailers need to have a good Christmas season or they may not be able to stay in business, Team Re-Store found.

“Many of the retailers we visited just wanted someone to listen to them,” said Jennifer Quintero, a member of Team Re-Store, in the statement. “They feel forgotten because the hurricane is no longer headline news. We were there to listen.”

George Little Management LLC

The Pen Pavilion, a new special focus area devoted to fine writing instruments, will debut at the National Stationery Show®, May 21-24, 2006. Launched in collaboration with the International Pen Association® (IPA), The Pen Pavilion will add a new dimension to the show, expanding the market’s comprehensive stationery-related offerings, according to a press statement from GLM.

“The collaboration between the National Stationery Show and the IPA to present The Pen Pavilion in 2006, creates an exciting opportunity to increase awareness and interest for fine writing instruments,” said Glen Bowen, chairman of the IPA, in the statement. “The significance of this project reaches far beyond the hopeful boundaries of commercial success. Our category has a cultural responsibility to assure that future generations will be able share the pleasure of the handwritten word.”

Positioned near the Show’s Home Work® and Indulgences® sections, The Pen Pavilion will showcase the latest products from more than 40 writing instrument manufacturers, including IPA members A.T. Cross and Sheaffer Pen. The Pen Pavilion exhibits will be distinguished by unique booth carpeting and signage.

“The Pen Pavilion is a natural fit with the National Stationery Show,” said Lori Robinson, show manager, in the statement. “It will be an ideal resource for retailers wanting to introduce writing instruments to their store as well as for those who currently carry writing instruments looking to expand their inventory.”

The National Stationery Show presents 1,400 exhibitors in five distinctive sections – Presents®, Celebrate®, Take Note®, Home Work® and Indulgences® – providing a streamlined shopping environment for some 14,000 retailers, distributors, importers and exporters from around the world. The next edition of the show will be held at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.

The New York International Gift Fair® will celebrate its 75th anniversary in 2006 with new educational programs, product launches and promotions that expand the market’s resources both on and off the show floor.

On the floor, a new Details® focus area will launch with upscale personal accessories; Outdoor Living will host a special buyer promotion; New York’s Newest will present more than 300 of the Fair’s new exhibitors and EX·TRACTS® will return, showcasing an exclusive collection of luxury beauty and wellness products.

Off the floor, the Fair will feature a Diamond Anniversary sweepstakes; a runway-themed display with the latest fashion accessories; and trend and marketing seminars. The Fair is expected to attract some 43,000 buyers, January 28 – February 2, 2006, at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Center and Passenger Ship Terminal Piers.

The New York Internatioanl Gift Fair® will feature 2,800 exhibitors in 11 divisions: Accent on Design®, At Home, Floral and Garden Accessories, General Gift, Handmade®, Just Kidstuff®, New and Distinctive Resources, New York’s Newest, Personal Accessories, Tabletop and Housewares and The Museum Source®. Two focus areas – Details and Outdoor Living – will expand the personal accessory and outdoor home décor offerings.

The show’s anticipated exhibitor participation is 2,800 and management expects 43,000 in attendee participation.

The 156th semi-annual Boston Gift Show® will unveil innovative features that celebrate New England’s unique retailing, manufacturing and cultural offerings. An all-new Pride of New England retailer award program, a What’s New product display, and On the Town evening event are among highlights. Set within the show’s friendly atmosphere and easy-to-shop layout, these enhancements will build energy and buying excitement at the show. The Boston Gift Show will take place Saturday, March 25, through Tuesday, March 28, 2006, at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center.

The semi-annual Boston Gift Show will feature more than 2,000 product lines, and attract some 8,000 retailers. The show will present 600 exhibitors within seven divisions: At Home; General Gift; Handmade®; Made in New England; Personal Accessories; Souvenir Source; and The Museum Source®.

“For the buyers that attend the Boston Gift Show, we continue to offer added value at every turn. They experience a marketplace full of new resources and new programs and a great variety of products that can only be found in the New England area,” said Tony Orlando, show manager, in a press statement.

Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc.

On January 22, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Randy Eller, former president of CBK, will be available to discuss “How Changing Times in the Industry Will Benefit Independent Retailers.” This presentation will explore how changes in the marketplace will alter the industry, creating opportunities for independent retailers unlike any that have before been seen.

Universal Shows Inc. and Western Exhibitors

After its successful launch at the San Francisco International Gift Fair in August, 2005, PetStyle, a new division featuring pet fashions and accessories, jewelry, toys, home items and more, will premier this January. All new educational programming has been scheduled and includes one-on-one consultations with retail experts. There will be free exhibitor demonstrations and pet fashion shows on the exhibit floor in Demonstration Theater and a complimentary wine tasting reception as well as several buyer amenities.

The Seattle market will feature over 800 exhibiting companies, encompassing 129,000 net square feet of exhibit space. Throughout the 13 product divisions, the show will feature a variety of giftware, decorative accessories, personal care and fashion accessories, home décor, one-of-a-kind handmade merchandise, antiques and collectibles, pre-packaged gourmet foods and confections, tableware and fine jewelry. Approximately 13,000 buyers are expected to attend the show, which runs in cooperation with the permanent showrooms of the Seattle Gift Center.

“The winter Seattle Gift Show provides Alaskan and Northwest retailers with unique resources. As show managers, we have tailored our divisions to enable businesses to find new profit centers. With the introduction of PetStyle – a category which taps into the $34 billion a year pet industry – we are able to meet these goals and to provide fresh ideas for storeowners,” said Mike Dean, president, Western Exhibitors, Inc.

Crafts And Hobby Convention and Trade Show Heads To Las Vegas, Jan. 30-Feb. 2

A highlight of each year’s show is the keynote speaker. This year, the honor goes to Tim Sanders, author and leadership coach at Yahoo! Tim has become one of the most sought-after speakers in America today, with his poignant message and his eloquent delivery. He has been featured in Time magazine as well as on the TODAY show. His keynote presentation will reveal the secrets to boosting all listeners’ likeability factor and helping them learn how to achieve greater success on all levels.

CHA’s education program is always a key feature of each trade show. Hands-on workshops and demonstrations are designed for participants of all skill levels, with over 80 product technique sessions featuring the newest and best products being unveiled at the show. In addition, there are general sessions designed to provide insights and solutions to industry issues as well as future trends.

New pavilions will also be prominent at this year’s show. The Digital Imaging Pavilion will be jam-packed with ideas on how technology can be leveraged to better serve customers and drive traffic. The UK Pavilion will showcase exhibitors and news from the vibrant craft industry in the United Kingdom.

As usual, a major focus of the CHA Winter Show is being able to observe the hot crafting trends for the upcoming year. Back by popular demand is the Innovations Showcase, which displays the most exciting recently developed products. Show-goers can stop by and take a sneak peek at the newest goods in the craft industry before they hit their store shelves.

Other show must-sees include the CHA Theater, a 20 x 30 sq. foot theater with stadium style seating for over 100 visitors featuring entertainment, product demonstrations, tips and tools to improve operations, and other special events, all in one convenient place on the CHA trade show floor. Also returning is the unique Inspiration & Design Faire that showcases CHA designers’ creative services.

Urban Expositions

“The Orlando Gift Show’s timing and selection make it the must-attend winter market for retailers from the Florida Panhandle, Central and Northern Florida, as well as other parts of the county,” said Doug Miller, president, Urban Expositions, which produces and manages the Orlando Gift Show along with partners George Little Management, LLC (GLM) and Universal Shows, in a press statement. “In additional to exploring the latest introductions from top manufacturers and major Southeastern sales representatives in every product category, retailers can also take advantage of wonderful buyer incentives and free educational programs that promise to save them time and money as they shop to restock after the busy holiday and tourist seasons.”

Returning Jan. 29-31, 2006, to the Miami International Merchandise Mart and Sheraton Centre, the Miami Gift Show is perfectly timed to help retailers from Florida, the Caribbean and Latin America restock after the region’s busy holiday and tourist seasons. Here they will find the biggest selection of gift, home accessories, resort merchandise and apparel in approximately 500 temporary booths, as well as the best buyer incentives and programming, all at a convenient venue, according to a press statement from Urban Expositions.

In addition to showcasing the season’s best in new products and trends, retailers can also take advantage of cross-market buying opportunities, business-building educational programs and special buyer incentives, including Super Sunday Specials and Free Freight Monday. All of these initiatives are designed with retailers in mind, allowing them to save time and money while they shop the show, the statement said.