August/September 2010

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NEWSLETTER

2010

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Karen Tryman, director of retail for Delaware North Parks & Resorts at Yellowstone, was a guest speaker for AmericasMart University during the January 2010 Atlanta Gift Show. Pictured, from left to right, are: Albert Maslia, managing director, AmericasMart; Brad Anderholm, COO DNC Parks and Resorts; Tryman; Derek Zwickey, regional general manager, DNC Parks and Resorts; Kristi Forbes, executive director Sales, Gift & Resort, Gourmet and Housewares, AmericasMart; and Kate Carr, senior manager, Retail Services of AmericasMart.

AmericasMart

Building on the momentum, buying power and customer partnerships that propelled its successful January Markets, AmericasMart is poised for its next showcase: The Atlanta Spring Gift, Home Furnishings & Holiday Market. Set for March 20-22, 2010, this market destination will offer rich product, abundant resources and fresh educational opportunities.

The dynamic product mix spans across permanent showrooms and a complete floor of temporaries, offering retailers excellent variety with signature collections in the Home Furnishings, Home Accents and Fine Linens centers, the Home, Holiday and Floral center and within in the world’s largest collection of Gift products.

The March event lineup—supporting the diverse merchandise mix—will feature for the first time a live webinar broadcast, hosted by Ethan Allen and Benjamin Moore.

Additional market event highlights include: Home Truths, a panel discussion on the changing face of home design; Social Media 101 Lunch and Learn with Brent Beatty; and Bringing Decorative Taste to the Holiday Table.

The entire event listing and more details can be found online.

International Gift Exposition in the Smokies

IGES/SSS Experiences Growth at Sevierville Events Center and Announces New Opening Day

The staff and management of the International Gift Exposition in the Smokies (IGES) and the Souvenir Super Show (SSS), thank all of you, the attending buyers, vendors and others for the exceptional and enthusiastic support you gave this past year before, during and after the 10th Anniversary celebration in Sevierville, Tenn.

The International Gift Expo in the Smokies, held during the first week of November every year, was one of the first shows to sign on with the Sevierville, Tennessee Events Center and has expanded every year since, making it the largest wholesale resort, souvenir and gift show in the United States.

“This is one of the first shows we booked,” said Mike Wilds, marketing director for the Events Center. “In 2007, their first year in the (then) new Events Center, they booked the entire building and they used every square inch. The next year, they expanded to the outside by adding a 20,000-square-foot tent. It grew to 30,000 square feet this past year and they’ve already signed enough exhibitors to expand to 50,000 square feet this year.”

According to Susan Mills of IGES/SSS, the show started 11 years ago with 273 booths, a number that is expected to grow to over 1,000 this year.

Zoo and Aquarium Buyers Group (ZAG) buyers and board members enjoying a well-deserved break during the 2009 International Gift Exposition in the Smokies® and the Souvenir Super Show™ (IGES/SSS) in Sevierville, Tenn. Pictured, left to right, back row: Joe Jastrow, Milwaukee Zoo and Brent Walter, Henry Vilas Zoo and ZAG board member. Pictured, left to right, front row: Steve Fairchild, Sedgwick County Zoo and ZAG board member; Tonia Wells, Maryland Zoo in Baltimore; Mary Jane Brown, Akron Zoo and ZAG board member; and Laurie Taylor, Knoxville Zoo and ZAG board member.

New Opening Day

To accommodate buyer requests for more weekday shopping, the 2010 IGES/SSS will open on a Wednesday this year, Wednesday, Nov. 3 through Sunday, Nov. 7. Because of the larger show, buyers may want to allow extra time to cover the many new and traditional product lines on display.

Again this year, IGES/SSS will be hosting national buying groups, including the Zoo and Aquarium Gift Buyers (ZAG), the National Caves Association (NCA) and the National Association of Retail Buyers (NARB). Large or small, all retailers are welcome and invited to join the show in November as it celebrates its 11th year in the Smokies. Take advantage of the many buyer amenities and discover The Largest and Best Souvenir & Resort Gift Expo in America. To learn more, visit the show online or call.

New York International Gift Fair®

Gift for Life, the gift, stationery and home decor industries’ leading charitable organization, announced recently that its fundraising event “Kings & Queens Casino” raised over $100,000. The 18th annual event, one of the industry’s most prestigious and fun-filled parties, was held on Sunday, January 31 at La. venue New York during the New York International Gift Fair®, and welcomed some 250 gift and home industry representatives.

“This year’s event focused on fun and games as well as the chance to meet and greet across the industry,” said Jenny Hammons, Gift for Life chairperson. “To date we have raised more than $4 million for HIV/AIDS research and assistance through the generous help of partners and party attendees. We look forward to seeing everyone in January 2011.”

The party format featured casino-style gaming, food, drink, a DJ and prize drawings for high-end gifts and services. Funds benefit DIFFA: Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS. The primary mission of Gift for Life and DIFFA is to eradicate the AIDS pandemic in the United States.

The Smoky Mountain Gift Show

Excitement is abounding in Gatlinburg, Tenn., this winter. With the cooperation of Mother Nature providing cold temperatures and the accompanying snow, the local ski area – Ober Gatlinburg – opened with a bang. Reports are that all slopes have been open for the first time in several seasons. Gatlinburg has certainly welcomed the influx of skiers, snowboarders, tubers, skaters and observers flocking in to take advantage of the great conditions. Add these to other groups who traditionally gather in the area during the holidays and early January at the Gatlinburg Convention Center Complex, and the result is a nice beginning for the new decade.

Gatlinburg boasts exciting attractions, quaint shopping, great dining and an extensive arts and crafts community that appeals to any traveler any time of the year. To top that off, the town is located on the doorstep of the beautiful Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Now you understand why Gatlinburg is the premier tourist destination and the chosen location for the Smoky Mountain Gift Show, a premier tradeshow for the souvenir industry.

	Shoppers in charming downtown Gatlinburg. Show specials and discounts make the town the ideal spot to attend a trade show. Photo courtesy of the Gatlinburg Department of Tourism.

This year marks the 45th anniversary of The Smoky Mountain Gift Show, the longest running trade show in the industry. Exhibitors and buyers alike enjoy the “walkability” of the downtown area. From a business standpoint, the convenience of the convention center to lodging and eateries makes it great for networking opportunities. Shopping and attractions in Gatlinburg and nearby create the perfect destination for those who choose to bring along the family to combine business with pleasure.

To make a trip to the Smoky Mountain Gift Show even more appealing, special rates and offerings are available at properties in Gatlinburg for buyers and exhibitors attending the show.

Visit the show’s website and mark your calendars now to begin making plans to participate in “The Original” Gatlinburg Gift Show, November 5 — 9, 2010.