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February 2012

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AmericasMart, Atlanta, Ga.

he March 19-21, 2006 Atlanta Spring Gift, Home Furnishings & Holiday Market opened ready for business with the most stylish and newest selection of general gift, tabletop and fine gifts, home accents, holiday/floral product, garden, indoor/outdoor furnishings, gourmet, jewelry, fashion accessories, apparel and more, according to a press statement from the mart.

“It was an exciting Market,” said Mary Ellen Jackson, executive director of tradeshows, in the statement. “Its success was fueled by continuing momentum from January’s Market coupled with a healthy economy, an influx of new buyers, as well as the fact that many of our customers simply needed to restock their shelves.”

“This edition of EX·TRACTS proved to be the most innovative and cutting-edge to date,” said Rita Malek, show manager, in the statement. “This show is quickly becoming the leading industry event for entrepreneurial companies featuring unique personal care products with creative presentation.”

Also at the show, a Visual Display Award was awarded to temporary exhibitor Indo Accessories of Boston, Mass., for its commitment to outstanding visual display.

George Little Management, LLC

The 156th semi-annual Boston Gift Show launched an all-new Pride of New England Awards March 21-24, 2006, at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center. Six New England retailers were recognized for excellence in customer service, creative merchandising and community involvement.

The Mid-Atlantic Cash & Carry Show™ will shift from a winter to fall date pattern, beginning in 2006. Featuring gifts and decorative accessories available for immediate delivery, the second annual event will run Thursday, Nov. 2, through Saturday, Nov. 4, at the Dulles Expo and Conference Center, in Chantilly, Va. This new format is well-timed for fourth quarter purchasing and inventory re-stocking in advance of the holiday season, according to a press statement.

“The new timing of the Cash & Carry Show will enable mid-Atlantic retailers to have immediate access to new products, in advance of the hectic holiday selling season,” said Louise Seeber, show manager, in the statement. “It is a win-win situation for exhibitors with excess inventory and for retailers looking to quickly move merchandise.”

Nine educational sessions grouped into three key tracks, Licensing, Business and Trends, a 20th anniversary sunset cruise networking party, “Cruise and Connect,” and “A Conversation with Mary Engelbreit,” breakfast event will headline the conference opportunities at SURTEX®, presenting 370 exhibitors, May 21-23, 2006, at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.

The New York International Gift Fair® was the highlight of the winter gift cycle, brimming with energy, buying activity and optimism for 2006. The Gift Fair attracted some 43,240 regional, national and international buyers, and showcased nearly 2,800 exhibitors, including 450 first-time participants, Jan. 28 - Feb. 2, 2006. New initiatives in the fashion accessories and housewares categories, 75th anniversary activities and the return of EX·TRACTS® highlighted the market.

Retailers shopping the San Francisco International Gift Fair® experienced new category synergies and buying efficiencies with the fair’s new four-day format and streamlined divisions. Running Feb. 4-7, 2006, at the Moscone Convention Center, the fair debuted nearly 300 first-time exhibitors, showcasing a total of 1,317 participants. Nearly 18,400 retailers attended the market, which boasted culinary demonstrations from Bay Area chefs; Best Visual Presentation Awards; buyer rewards; and other highlights, according to a press statement from GLM.

EX·TRACTS®: New discoveries in beauty and wellness, will further enhance its luxury atmosphere by relocating from New York City’s Penn Plaza Pavilion to the Metropolitan Pavilion, beginning in August 2006. In line with this, EX·TRACTS, which is scheduled for Aug. 13-16, 2006, will be collocated with the New York Home Textiles Show®, and held concurrently with the New York International Gift Fair®.

The International Pen Association

The International Pen Association® (IPA), will sponsor its annual trade fair on May 21-24, 2006, in conjunction with the National Stationery Show®. The National Stationery Show, North America’s leading trade show for the social stationery industry, presents 1,400 exhibitors and attracts some 14,000 retailers, distributors, importers and exporters from all over the world.

The IPA’s Pen Pavilion sold out its exhibit space well in advance of the show. Fine writing instruments will assume a high profile, with approximately 40 pen brands and manufacturers present.

Market Square

Market Square, Fort Washington, Pa., June 11 through June 13, 2006, will include several special features. There is a new layout with a more convenient floor plan, a Handcrafted in America section, five room settings designed by Drexel University design students, exhibitor awards for six categories of booth design, Showcase Mini-Booths, a seminar by Country Business magazine editor Susan Wagner, and more.

Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc. (MMPI)

Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc. (MMPI), has announced dates for the 2007 Chicago Gift & Home Markets at The Merchandise Mart. The dates are: Jan. 19-25, 2007 and July 20-26.

“We are continually focused on enhancing the value of the Chicago Gift & Home Market for our customers, and by making this subtle change in our market dates, we are able to strengthen Chicago’s position and offering to our attendees, exhibitors and showrooms,” said Joan Ulrich, MMPI senior vice president, in a press statement.

The July, 2006, Chicago Gift & Home Market will be held July 19-26.

Universal Shows, Western Exhibitors

The 150th semi-annual Portland Gift & Accessories Show®, which takes place June 3-6, 2006, is the first gift market of the summer buying season. This June, the Portland show guarantees retailers a variety of new manufacturers and artisans as they use this market to launch their product to the wholesale trade, according to a press statement.

At the show, there will be a major emphasis on handmade merchandise, spa products, seasonal décor and indoor/outdoor living accessories. The upcoming event will feature approximately 500 booths and 3,000 lines as well as all new educational programming featuring a new speaker, a retailers’ networking roundtable and the popular Demonstration Theater, the statement said.

Retailers shopped the 151st semi-annual Seattle Gift Show January 28-31 in an effort to fill their stores with fresh, new merchandise. Nearly 13,100 buyers were able to select merchandise from 1,260 booths and 95 permanent showrooms of the Seattle Gift Center. Exhibitors reported strong buying patterns from opening morning until the close of the show, according to a press statement.

Retailers in the Oregon and Northwest came prepared to replenish their inventory at the Jan. 7-10, 2006 Portland Gift & Accessories Show® after a busy fourth quarter. The timing of the Portland market proved to be beneficial to many buyers coming from outlying areas of Oregon, Washington and Idaho. Over 4,400 buyers, including 483 new stores, attended this winter show. The 147th semi-annual event, held at the Oregon Convention Center, featured nearly 400 booths, according to a press statement.

Urban Expositions

Responding to the recently announced closure of the Fort Washington Expo Center, Urban Expositions will relocate the Philadelphia Gift Show to the new Greater Reading Expo Center for the July 23-26, 2006 edition. The center is located at 2525 North 12th St., in Reading, Pa.

Finding the biggest backyard nature products market in the Northeast will be easier starting this July. Birdwatch America – Philadelphia, a new section within the Philadelphia Gift Show, at the new Greater Reading Expo Center in Reading, Pa., is set to debut July 23-25, 2006.

“By introducing the new Birdwatch Amercia – Philadelphia, we hope to increase business and cross-marketing opportunities for exhibitors and attendees of both events and strengthen the Philadelphia Gift Show’s position as the most powerful gift show in the country,” said Doug Miller, president, Urban Expositions, in a press statement.

Urban Expositions has announced the appointment of Stephanie Buice to the company’s position of director of buyer relations. In her new role, Buice will work with Urban Expositions team to further strengthen relationships with current and prospective retail attendees for each of the company’s gift, resort and textile industry trade shows.

The company has also announced the promotion of Donna Guess to vice president of trade shows. In the newly created position, Guess will oversee sales and operations for 13 out of 21 Urban Expositions. Guess joined the company in 1996 as a sales associate for the Philadelphia Gift Show.

Responding to changing business conditions at the Miami International Merchandise Mart/Sheraton Center, Urban has announced plans to relocate and revamp the former Miami Gift Show. The show has been renamed the Miami Beach Gift Show and will be held at the Miami Beach Convention Center beginning with the August 26-29 show.

Western Exhibitors, Inc., George Little Management, LLC

The 152nd semi-annual Seattle Gift Show®, which takes place August 19-22, 2006, will premier a new lifestyle division, Home & Garden. At the suggestion of the Seattle Advisory Committee members, the management team was urged to remarket and rename the At Home and GardenStyle divisions to encompass both the indoor and outdoor living so prevalent in the Northwest. Home and Garden will join the 11 established divisions in over 1,300 booths and 6,000 product lines currently featured at the convention center.













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