August/September 2010

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2010

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George Little Management, LLC (GLM)

“Our attendance this January went beyond key beauty and personal care retailers to include spas, pharmacies and bed and bath retailers, as well as a broad geographic mix of gift and home retailers looking for complementary lines,” said Rita Malek, show manager, in a press release. “Gift retailers understand the synergy with personal care products and they respond well to the innovative lines offered by EX•TRACTS® exhibitors.”

The show, where awards were given in six categories, ran alongside the New York Home Textiles Show® and the New York’s Newest division of the New York International Gift Fair. Together, the three shows offered retailers a comprehensive home fashions, gift and personal care marketplace with access to a combined total of nearly 3,000 exhibitors, according to the press release.

Exciting innovation from both new and returning companies were to be among the significant market attractions for retailers at the winter edition of the San Francisco International Gift Fair®, which was to be held last February at the Moscone Center. Among the 1,800 exhibitors scheduled for the show, there were to be 270 firsttime companies that promised a wealth of introductions in every gift category. In addition to strong new resources, a variety of product displays and live demonstrations were to be showcased.

“The San Francisco International Gift Fair is a strong venue for companies launching creative new lines to serve the ever-growing gift industry,” said Mike Dean, president, Western Exhibitors, in a press release. “The many introductions and innovative products that are unveiled at the fair will help buyers to invigorate their merchandise mix, capitalize on trends and set new business directions.”

More than 40,000 attendees, representing all 50 states and 75 countries, traveled to New York City last January for the 152nd semi-annual New York International Gift Fair® (NYIGF). The fair experienced a record opening day, with all 2,755 exhibitors and some 20,000 buyers conducting business in three locations.

“It was an exciting January Fair!” said Dorothy Belshaw, NYIGF show director and GLM senior vice president. “The changes to the fair’s floorplan and division locations made it a dynamic shopping environment. And, the overall quality of attendees was high and our exhibitors reported healthy order-writing and strong sales.”

Also at the show, four exhibitors in the juried Accent on Design division were honored for design creativity and ingenuity.

The 154th semi-annual edition of the NYIGF will take place Saturday, August 11, through Thursday, August 16, 2007, at the Javits Center, Piers 92 and 94 and Metropolitan Pavilion.

As a distinctive venue for one-of-a-kind, unique product from around the world, the winter edition of the California Gift Show® again delivered a wealth of exceptional global resources, setting trends in multiple gift categories last January at the Los Angeles Convention Center. From fashion accessories to personal care, home décor to stationery, the new offerings of 1,400 companies from 35 countries were wellreceived by the show’s 24,000 attendees. The product and trends display and an all-new World Style Auction were among market highlights.

“Bringing together a diverse mix of domestic and international products, the California Gift Show’s innovative product launches reflect the global lifestyle and ethnic fusion that has made Los Angeles a leading international design center,” said Aubin Wilson, show director, in a press release. “This global marketplace creates a comprehensive West Coast buyers’ venue that attracts high-calibre attendees from throughout the region and the country.”

The Ireland Show

SCORE counselors work with entrepreneurs through every phase of their entrepreneurial venture: generating and assessing ideas, preparing a business plan, raising capital and managing the operations and finances of the growing venture.

SCORE has assisted more than 7.5 million Americans with online and face-to-face small business counseling. The SCORE Association was formed in 1964.

The Ireland Show will be held April 21 to 24 at the Embassy Suites Hotel, in Secaucus N.J., 10 minutes from New York City. Show hours will be April 21: 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., April 22-23: 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. , April 24: 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The show will feature a huge selection of merchandise from more than 200 vendors. Product categories will include jewelry, apparel, giftware, tableware, gourmet, stationery, religious goods, scented products and much more.

Among the exhibitors will be Solvar Jewelry, Reed and Barton, Tipperary Crystal, Mullingar Pewter, Branigan Weavers, Philip Gray Artwork, St. Nicholas Gifts, Guinness Licensed Goods, Abbey Press, Cathedral Art Metal and Donegal Linens. The merchandise will represent vendors from Ireland, Scotland, Wales or England.

Unique to the show is the opportunity for retailers to win cash and merchandise. Each day retailers’ names will be selected to win such prizes. The grand prize will be an entire store of product, worth $40,000. In all, more than $50,000 in cash and prizes will be awarded. Complimentary banquets and concerts will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 22 and Monday, April 23. Open to the trade only, credentials will be checked at the door.

Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc.

“Toni’s experience and expertise in leasing and new business development will help make the unique Market Square initiative a reality,” said Joan Ulrich, senior vice president of leasing and marketing for MMPI. “I am confident that Toni will continue to distinguish herself with her professional and consultative approach to leasing.”

Last January, the Gift & Home Furnishings Market™ at the L.A. Mart® was the hot spot with buyers, showrooms and manufacturers all reporting a very positive market atmosphere. While stocking their stores was the first order of business, buyers attended standing- room-only seminars, fueled up at The Snack Spot and treated themselves to mini spa treatments at the first-ever Infinity Spa at the L.A. Mart.

“The January Gift & Home Furnishings Market at the L.A. Mart had something for everyone,” said Michelle Ovalle, director of marketing, L.A. Mart, in a press release. “From the opening of the new Amscan/Grasslands Road showroom to the expansion of the OneCoast space, the L.A. Mart continues to be the West Coast’s preeminent marketplace for the gift and home furnishings industry.”

Buyers continued to be impressed with the L.A. Mart’s product selection and amenities. “I have been coming to this market for 15 years,” said Ron Wallace, owner of 3 Monkeys in Portland, Oregon, in the press release. “I always find product here. The showrooms are so helpful and have fresh, new merchandise. I’m very faithful to the L.A. Mart. I come here and take as long as I need to see everything.”

Surf Expo/dmg world media

Surf Expo Show Director and dmg Vice President Lori Kisner was thrilled with the turnout and rave reviews of the big changes, including the shift to a four-day format.

The evolution of Surf Expo to serve both the resort and boardsports universes is moving along quite smoothly, according to the press release. The fourth day yielded tons more orders for most manufacturers who were eager to work through the eleventh Surf Expo hour. The next Surf Expo will be September 14-16, 2007.

Transworld Exhibits Moves 24th International Halloween, Costume and Party Show to Las Vegas, March 2008

“By moving this show to Las Vegas, we will be able to expand our floor plan and accommodate the expansion requests of many of our exhibitors. We’ll also open up the show to greater attendance participation from the West Coast. This is a big change for us and we’re excited about its positive effect on the show,” said Joseph Thaler, president of TransWorld Exhibits, in a press release.

Transworld’s 12th National Haunt & Attractions Show, located upstairs from the HCPShow in Rosemont, will also make the move to Las Vegas in 2008 and will continue to be held in a separate exhibitor hall, although crossover attendance is free and encouraged.

“We’re already working on a number of special initiatives for the Las Vegas show,” Thaler said in the release. “We hope to announce some exciting co-locating shows and a few other surprises that will add to the excitement of this move.”