 In This Issue:
|
The Road(Show) Not Taken
Finding gems on the road less traveled
In every field there are the big players which get most of the attention. When it comes to trade shows there are a number of those, but sometimes it is the smaller, regional shows that feature unique, future stars and you might find things that would be overlooked at the larger shows. In this semi-annual Trade Show issue we will take a look at some smaller, specialty shows that you may have overlooked.
Many of the larger shows are creating "Made In America" sections, but there are entire shows devoted to locally made products. In fact there is a show called "American Made Show" (formerly Buyers Market of American Craft) in Washington DC (Jan. 16-19). The show has always been a showcase of American artists and craftspeople.
Another organization with a craft show in the Washington, DC area is Sugarloaf Craft Festivals. Locations include Chantilly, VA (Jan. 30-Feb. 1), Somerset, NJ (Mar. 13-15), Oaks, PA (Mar. 20-22) Gaithersburg (Apr. 17-19) and Timonium, MD (Apr. 24-26).
In the same general area is American Craft Council's Baltimore Wholesale Show (Feb. 20-22). ACC operates several retail shows but has an annual wholesale show in Baltimore. The Council has an emerging artist program called "Hip Pop" designed to provide artists with "a reasonable point of entry to an established marketplace" and "engagement with established makers and a supportive community of fellow emerging artists."
Another promoter focusing on handcrafted products with some imports mixed in is Heritage Markets Cash & Carry Shows. As the name implies, the show emphasizes cash & carry as opposed to ordering. Shows are held throughout the year at Columbus, OH (Jan. Mar., Aug. and Oct.), Springfield, IL (Apr. and Sept.), and Sevierville, TN (May and Sept.).
If beach and resort products are what you are looking for, the Grand Strand Gifts and Resort Merchandise Show is held in early December in Myrtle Beach. Featuring more than 800-plus booths, the event, known among exhibitors and attendees as the "Big Kahuna," remains the longest-running coastal souvenir, resort merchandise and gift show in the nation.
Orlando is the site of Surf Expo, which boasts being "The longest running and largest boardsports and beach/resort lifestyle tradeshow in the world" (Jan. 8-10 and Sept.). The show, operated by Urban Expositions, features about 2,600 booths of apparel and hardgoods.
In addition to resort and tourist merchandise, the Fort Lauderdale Gift Show features general giftware, with more than 500 booths. This regional show, also by Urban Expositions, emphasizes "buy local".
If mountains are more to your liking than beaches you may like the 50-year-young Smoky Mountain Gift Show in Gatlinburg, TN (Nov.). This established show has a wide variety of lines including familiar national brands as well as mountain-themed vendors.
OASIS operates two regional shows in Phoenix (Feb. and Sept.) and Albuquerque (April). As you might expect, these shows feature southwestern gifts, Native American arts and crafts, and gifts with a Western flair. The Phoenix show has been running for 34 years and the Albuquerque show is in its fifth year.
If your store leans toward museum or earth sciences, there are Gem, Mineral & Fossil Shows in Tuscon (Jan. 28-Feb. 15), Denver (Apr. and Sept.), Springfield, MA (Aug.), and Orange County, CA (May and Nov.). In Tuscon, the show runs for an incredible two-and-a-half weeks and features almost 4,000 vendors at multiple shows like the "1820 Oracle Wholesale Show", "African Art Village", AGTA GemFair™, American Indian Arts Exposition, and Arizona Mineral & Fossil Show.
On the other end of the spectrum from crafts, beach, minerals and fossils, is high fashion exemplified in the STYLEMAX Show (Jan. 31-Feb. 2) at the Merchandise Mart in Chicago. Boasting more than 100,000 square feet of booth space, STYLEMAX claims to be "the leading women's apparel and accessory trade show". There are four shows per year. At January's edition, new categories of Kids, Activewear and Gift will be featured.
Just like leaving the Interstate Highway to find the good local food, sometimes finding shows off the beaten path may make sense, especially for new and different tastes and culture.
|
Featured Vendors
 indicates a CAMEO EZ© web site.
 The Artisan Connection is a wholesale site that features three lines: Fly By South, Home Appétit, and Marilyn's. The lines feature gourmet sauces, oils crackers, fruitcake and gifts. All are Made in USA.
| |
 Badash Crystal : Our broad selection of mouth blown tabletop and decorative accessories from around the world will surely meet your needs. Every piece is individually and safely boxed. We offer superb quality and value for all your gift giving, bridal and/or personal pleasure.
| |
 Bridge Brands Chocolate was created to provide chocolate lovers with gourmet-quality, superbly packaged chocolate at a non-gourmet price. Since debuting in 1999, our chocolates have become a favorite with San Francisco locals and visitors alike.
| |
 Camille Beckman is known worldwide for the quality of their fine creams and lotions. For the past 18 years, this 'Made in America' product has been rated #1 in the personal care industry and continues to offer formulas based on rich and wholesome ingredients, blending small batches and using hand-crafted, old-fashioned methods that create a difference you can feel! Being that personal care products are an indispensable item for many gift shops, Camille Beckman is a natural choice because of their 27 years of service to the locally owned gift industry.
| |
 Clarissa Tumblers: The Clarissa Tumblers' motto is: There's no order that's too big or too small - we do them all! Our customers are our priority and enjoy receiving our services to provide them with quality custom and personalized tumblers for their weddings, bar and bat mitzvahs, golf tournaments, family reunions, custom brand marketing, and more. Clarissa Tumblers is passionate about tumblers, and knows that their tumblers are second to none, and pride themselves on their superior customer service.
| |
 Coast Lamp Manufacturing was established and incorporated in the state of Florida in 1955. Now, a North Carolina Corporation since 1975, located in the beautiful mountains of Western North Carolina. We are a family owned and operated company. Our product is UL/ULC listed and approved and made in the USA. Customer satisfaction and a long lasting relationship are our goals. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to serve you.
| |
 C'Zire by Lamar Creations - "...your heart's desire" - provides turnkey jewelry programs featuring industry leading quality Cubic Zirconia jewelry. Our jewelry is produced at the same standards as fine jewelry. We cast our jewelry in jewelers bronze also known as brass, the most expensive and durable material used in costume jewelry. We hand polish every piece to a mirror like finish and then hand set high quality Cubic Zirconia stones. We use a double thick genuine rhodium or 18K gold electroplating for lasting wear.
| |
 Divinity Boutique is a gift company that is focused on trendy and fun gifts that feature inspirational verse and themes.
| |
 Elegant Baby Elegant Baby® understands that babies deserve style just as fresh as they are! Our marvelous collection of baby products is full of bold colors and spectacular designs. From traditional to contemporary, today's baby gift is sure to become tomorrow's treasure. Products ranging from My First Rubber Ducky to My First Baby Bible, My First Baby Blankie, My First Baby Jeans to the iconic silver spoon, Elegant Baby is where style meets tradition.
| |
 Europa Home decorincluding glass, candleholders and candles for garden, lodge, awards, gourmet food, sale items and more.
| |
 FoneFace features fun, colorful, stretchable smart phone covers, "created by a kid for kids". Christian "Crash" Sanchez was a high school freshman when he created the fun covers many with an animal theme.
| |
 Galt International is a family owned and managed company with its Headquarters in Rancho Cucamonga, CA. We also maintain fully staffed buying offices in China to oversee our procurement efforts there. Started in 1996, Galt International continues to grow as a major provider to the gift and decorative accessories markets in the United States and Latin America.
| |
 Gently Spoken: Our dream is to touch a million hearts with words of affirmation and encouragement. Thanks to YOU, our dream is becoming a reality. PEAS are changing hearts and lives! Turn the pages and you'll discover why. Featuring the "Eat Your Peas" books.
| |
 GetSassy's has fun, colorful, cool, hip gifts that are sure to bring a smile to everyones face! From flour sack towels to baby and toddler t-shirts, koozies, wooden memo holders and linens, Get Sassys designs make shopping fun!
| |
 Gina B. Designs is an award-winning greeting card, gift and stationery products company featuring exceptional art and design. With an array of styles, variety of products and outstanding customer service, Gina B. Designs has "something for everyone." All products are proudly made in the U.S.A.
| |
 Goods 4 U Global is a sales rep agency "caring and sharing Artisan goods from around the globe," offering handmade, fair trade, socially responsible goods created by local artisans in many countries.
| |
 Greenbriar Pottery: Our Ceramic products are made using custom clay and glaze formulas. Each piece is reduction fired to 2380 degrees making them highly functional. All of our products can be used decoratively and functionally. Each item has have been hi-fired to 2300+ degrees. This provides oven-safe stoneware for everyday. The clay and glaze formulas are custom and made from scratch. No commercial glazes used here.
| |
 Invenio Enterprises: Easylight Glasses are without any doubt, the greatest eyewear innovation of the last decade. Easylight aren't just simple reading glasses. Thanks to two LED bulbs inserted in the glasses frame that can be turned on independenty, they can be used in any situation of poor illumination.
| |
 JTP Wholesale : JTP Wholesale is a wholesale website offering monogrammed bathroom tissue, coasters and a line of t-shirts for the young and old: Future Jock t-shirts and onesies and X-Jock adult t-shirts.
| |
 Leslie Handpainted Glass : Leslie Hand Painted Glass is Proudly Painting in Portland Oregon USA
Specializing in Custom & Regionally Specific Designs - Personalized Wedding & Bridal Parties - Corporate Gifts & Events.
| |
 Malibu Creations collection of affordably chic home décor will turn your decorating daydreams into reality with fun and stylish designs inspired by the warm colors of sun-kissed beaches, the refreshing comforts of mountainside resorts, and the vibrance of today's active lifestyle. Malibu Creations believes you should be able to decorate and redecorate your home as inspiration strikes, and with the company's smart prices, you don't have to miss out on a single design trend you love. Live your life in affordable luxury as you spend time with family and friends in your beautifully decorated home, enjoying an evening of dining on the patio or just relaxing in a cozy, sunny nook in the living room.
| |
 Nicole Brayden Gifts : A bright and fun collection of stationery, mugs, party supplies, handbags and many other cute gifts.
| |
 Pure Factory Naturals: With over a decade of experience in natural skin care, PUREfactory Naturals delivers a fresh and fun approach with a modern and sincere take on skin care. Our commitment speaks loud and clear: natural is best and simplicity is beautiful.
| |
 Red Carpet Studios, Ltd.: All Jazzed Up™ Fashion Accessories for Fall & Spring. A wide range of Giftware for the Home & Garden. Visit our website for New Products & Specials.
| |
 Seeds of Happiness started out as leftover lumps of clay Mark Borella made into little smiles to give out to friends who were going through hard times and need a little smile. That was in 2006. Since then Mark has given out thousands of smiles to folks, a handful at a time. In turn, they share them and the story with their friends in need of a smile. Those people then share with more friends and keep the story going. Seeds of Happiness are all over the planet by now.
| |
 Shade Tree Greetings' "Actual Pictures" are recognized as one of the best-selling greeting card lines in the industry. Nostalgic photographs and clever, funny verses make these cards a success. Go to our website to browse over 300 styles. GREAT introductory programs and free fixtures.
| |
 snoozies!® are not socks and they're not slippers - sort of a crossover between the two and that's why we call them "foot coverings"! snoozies!® are made with a brushed fleece exterior in colorful & fun printed patterns and then lined with a soft Sherpa fleece inside.
| |
 Stupell Industries : one of America's premier suppliers of handcrafted decorative accessories for upscale homes and offices. In business for over 30 years, our line includes a wide variety of baby products, kitchen and bathroom plaques, wall hangings, faux windows, picture frames, and other unique decorative objects. We are constantly enlarging and updating our product offering to keep abreast of the latest trends and styles in the fast-paced home decorative market.
| |
 Sunday Greetings
is a greeting card company that started when Brenda Kellman made a homemade birthday card for her husband Alan. Brenda's photography is on the cover of the company's greeting cards for every occasion.
| |
 Tripar International Inc.: Tripar International is your source for both displays and decorative accessories. Our extensive product line includes a wide assortment of easels, risers, ornament stands, plate racks, mirrors, jewelry displays, and unique display pieces. We are also an excellent source for wine accessories, wall decor, inspirational signs, and cookbook stands. We offer quality with style, low minimums and fast shipping.
| |
 Under Stella's Umbrella features long-time favorites Bellemonde and Finewhines, plus newer lines like Whispers, as well as Garden Party, The Born Identities, and Pewter-A-Peel. Products range from luggage to tabletop to baby products.
| |
 Wellspring makes functional products with fresh designs for companies that sell gifts. Great fun and cute personal accessories designed for the purse, stationery designed for organization and Flip Notes- the best-selling slim notepad consistently ranked by retailers as a top 10 in sell through. Perfect 4th quarter pick up gifts at under $10 retail- a sweet spot with today's consumer. Now with collegiate logos! www.WellspringGift.com.
| |
 White Mountain Puzzles is ahead of the pack when it comes to puzzles with educational content. Why not learn something while doing a puzzle? If you love to travel, why not put together an entertaining birds eye view of KEY WEST, MARTHA'S VINEYARD, BOSTON or NEW ENGLAND? Or work on a puzzle of states like MICHIGAN, ILLINOIS, OHIO, VIRGINIA, NORTH CAROLINA or GEORGIA? Or learn something about PRESIDENTIAL HISTORY or THE CIVIL WAR? These challenging projects take artists like DAVID HARRISON WRIGHT, DEB MARCONI, GARY TORISSI, and MAUREEN RUPPRECHT months to create.
| |
 Zingz And Thingz : Located in Santa Monica, California, Zingz & Thingz proudly offers more than 700 products to retailers. The company's merchandise strengths are in our wide selection of affordable and fun Garden Decor items and our continually expanding Lighting collection. Discover Zingz And Thingz' extensive collection of fun and functional products today and put a little zing in your life.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
