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Craft Business- Trade Show News
Trade Show News - August 2005
Coffee Fest
8/28/05 - Coffee Fest has been selected for the second year in a row as one of the "50 Fastest Growing Shows" in North America. During its 2005 fest scheduled for Oct. 28-30 at Seattle's Washington State Convention and Trade Center, there will be the popular three-day specialty coffee business seminar presenters, IASC Barista Certification testing, and Coffee Fest is hosting the second "Stirling Signature Beverage Open" in conjunction with Stirling Gourmet Flavors. The focused exhibition will feature more than 265 booths.
8/22/05 - With a new management team in place, the California Market Center has announced plans for renovations and capital improvements to improve the show in coming years.
The CMC was acquired by Jamison properties in April, John H. Kim put at the helm as general manager. Capital improvements and renovations are planned for common areas and showrooms, as well as a re-purposing and re-design of the Penthouse Pavilion.
"This July market gave us the opportunity to partner with our valued tenants and buyers and to pinpoint where our strengths, challenges and growth opportunities are in the style industry," said Kim. "Unlike the competition, we have the unique advantage of integrating thousands of resources in multiple categories under one roof. Our team is aggressively negotiating with some of the best names out there, while providing our tenants with the slate of amenities that have made this facility a premier venue for more than 35 years."
8/22/05 - At its first New York Gift Week, 7 W New York drew praise with its 20 new luxury suites. Chris Collins, vice president and general manager of 7 W New York, indicated that the new resources in the building significantly added to the success of the show. "The building continues to attract the gift, home decor and tabletop industry principals. They've committed to us and together, we have created the most unique international marketplace, unlike any other. We're very proud of what we've done, and the retailers love it."
8/22/05 - Set for Oct. 15-17 Marketplace Expos/George Little Management will launch Art & Framing Showcase, Oct. 15-17 at New York City's Pier 94 to coincide with GLM's existing House to Home Market Week, Oct. 16-19 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.
Key art and framing suppliers, representing a range of anchor categories and price points as well as leading retailers have confirmed their participation in the inaugural show. Show Manager Bill Cotner anticipates the show will draw 5,000 attendees and more than 180 lines.
For exhibitor information contact Bill Cotner, at Marketplace Expos, 314-366-2700. For attendee information contact GLM at 800-272-7469.
The semiannual Gift Fair in Atlanta at the Georgia World Congress Center has been canceled, with organizers citing "current market conditions in Atlanta." "We feel it is in the best interest of our customers to cancel the show," said Doug Miller, president of Urban Expositions. George Little Management and Urban Expositions launched the Gift Fair in July of 2002.The Gift Fair in Atlanta held six semi-annual editions since its debut, the last being in July 2005. "[We] have found that there is just not enough demand to support an additional product resource in Atlanta," Miller said. "We cannot expect exhibitors to continue supporting an exhibition where current market conditions are negatively impacting our ability to increase buyer attendance."
8/16/2005 - Enesco Group, Inc.a leader in the giftware, and home and garden decor industries, received top honors from the National Association of Limited Edition Dealers (NALED), the gift industry's largest trade association, during their 26th Annual Industry Achievements Awards held in Chicago, Ill.
Awards bestowed on Enesco include:
Inspirational Line of the Year - Foundations by Karen Hahn
Holiday Decor of the Year - Heartwood Creek Nativity by Jim Shore Artist of the Year - Jim Shore - for the second consecutive year.
Considered the most prestigious in the gift industry, the NALED Achievement Awards are selected and voted on by more than 200 retail members. "We are very proud to receive these awards from the gift industry and our retailers," said Cynthia Passmore-McLaughlin, president and CEO of Enesco. "By introducing new product designs and formats that are aligned with today's marketplace trends, Enesco is able to make these brands and artists the hottest and best-selling in their respective categories in the industry. These awards signify the relevance and success of Enesco's brands and product development capabilities in the competitive specialty gift retail market."
8/11/05 - 7 W continues to grow as new showrooms make their appearance this weekend, adding to the gift building's roster. New York Gift Week kicked off yesterday. Preview Days run August 11-12, 2005, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Show days from August 13th to 18th, 2005, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
During the event, 7 W New York will debut the following: AA Importing, Inc., Suite 912; Aldik, Suite 1015; Arte Italica, Suite 900; C and S Acosta, Inc., Suite 724; Department 56, Suite 1000; Enesco Group, Inc., Suite 602; Fetco Home Decor, Suite 1131; Gallery on Six, Suite 604; Gift Box Corp. of America, Suite 1035; Godinger Silver and Ricci Silversmiths, Suite 815; Home Essentials and Beyond, Suite 839; La Collina Toscana, Inc., Suite 715; Laura Lee Designs, Inc., Suite 718; Peking Handicraft, Inc., Suite 1021; RAZ Imports, Suite 1023; Silvestri, Inc., Suite 1011; SMP/Space M Projects, Inc., Suite 711; Vance Kitira International, Suite 813; Weimar US, Suite 919; and Woodland Marketing, Suite 845.
8/09/05 - The Dallas Market Center and the Accessories Resource Team (ART) announced the panel of judges that will determine the winners of the 17th Annual ARTS Awards. The 2006 judges include Bob Borden, Nambe's vice president of design and creative director; Christi Proctor of "Trading Spaces" and "Trading Spaces Family"; Jane Kucko, associate professor of interior design and design chair for Texas Christian University's Merchandising and Textile Department; Rob Brinkley, home design editor of Paper City Magazine; and Bill Mackin, creative director for Neiman Marcus' Home and Epicure Department.
8/08/05 - Exceeding all industry projections, Las Vegas Market attracted 62,000 attendees based on pre-registration and on-site registration figures for the inaugural event. With 1,200 exhibiting companies filling 2.5 million square feet of permanent and temporary exhibition space in three venues, Las Vegas Market was the largest show launch in US history for any industry trade show. Domestic attendance at the inaugural show covered all 50 states, with the following ten states delivering the heaviest traffic: California, Nevada, Texas, Florida, Arizona, North Carolina, Illinois, New York, Washington and Utah. International attendance included representatives from 83 countries.
Mark Phillips, owner of The Phillips Collection, a high-end decorative accessory company with a temporary exhibit at the Las Vegas Convention Center commented that: "We're seeing more and more traffic everyday and I'm overwhelmed. We did more business Tuesday than we did in one week at any other market. Buyers are extremely qualified here, and in Las Vegas, the average order value is higher than any other venue we show at in the US. We've seen new buyers in the West and a surprising number from Texas. There's also a good South American presence of buyers, including Guatemala, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and Mexico."
* Toronto International Gift Fair August 5-8 Location: Metro Toronto Convention Center, North Building, Toronto, ON Contact: 416-385-1880, 1-888-823-7469; fax:416-385-1851
* By Hand Toronto, Canada's Artisan Gift Show August 5-8 Location: Metro Toronto Convention Center, North Building, Toronto, ON Contact : 613-241-5777, 1-888-773-4444; fax: 613-241-5678
* CGTA Fall Gift Show August 7-11 Location: International Centre, Toronto Congress Centre, Toronto, ON Contact : 416-679-0170, 1-800-611-6100; fax: 416-679-0175
* Mode Accessories August 7-9 Location: Doubletree International Plaza Hotel, Toronto, ON Contact : 416-510-0114; fax:416-510-0165;
* Jewellery World Expo 2005 August 7-9 Location: National Trade Centre, Hall D, Toronto, ON Organizer: Reed Exhibitions Canada Contact : 416-491-7565; fax: 416-491-5088
* Alberta Fall Gift Show August 14-17 Location: Northlands Park, Edmonton, AB Organizer: DMG World Media Contact Information: 416-385-1880, 1-888-823-7469; fax: 416-385-1851
* By Hand Alberta, Canada's Artisan Gift Show August 14-17 Location: Northlands Park, Edmonton, AB Organizer: Signatures Craft Shows Ltd. Contact : 613-241-5777, 1-888-773-4444; fax: 613-241-5678
* Montreal Fall Gift Show August 28-31 2005 Location: Place Bonaventure Montreal, QC Contact : 416-385-1880, 1-888-823-7469; fax: 416-385-1851
* By Hand Montreal, Canada's Artisan Gift Show August 28-31 Location: Place Bonaventure, Montreal, QC Contact: 613-241-5777, 1-888-773-4444; fax: 613-241-5678
* Maritime Gift Show September 10-13 Location: Halifax Forum Complex, Halifax, NS Organizer: Maritime Gift Show Contact : 902-462-6753; fax: 902-462-6659
* Vancouver Fall Gift Show September 11-13 Location: BC Place Stadium, Vancouver, BC Contact : 416-385-1880, 1-888-823-7469; fax: 416-385-1851
* By Hand Vancouver, Canada's Artisan Gift Show September 11-13 Location: B.C. Place Stadium, Vancouver, BC Organizer: Signatures Craft Shows Ltd. Contact : 613-241-5777, 1-888-773-4444; fax: 613-241-5678
* The West Side Story Fall Open House Event October 16-21 Location: Mississauga, ON Contact : 905-673-9200
* G7 - Group Off Seven Fall Open House Event October 16-19 Location: Toronto, ON Organizer: Group Off Seven Contact: 905-474-1555
* Garden Expo October 18-19 Location: Toronto Congress Centre Toronto, ON Contact: 905-875-1805, 1-800-265-5656; fax: 905-875-3942
* Florist Expo October 18-19 Location: Toronto Congress Centre, Toronto, ON Contact : 905-875-1805, 1-800-265-5656; fax: 905-875-3942
* SMART Show Niagara Falls October 25-26 Location: Fallsview Casino & Niagara Hilton Hotel, Niagara Falls, ON Contact : 604-913-6700, 1-888-913-6767; fax: 604-913-6701
8/02/05 - George Little Management has partnered with home industry organizations, including the New York chapter of the International Furnishings and Design Association and Executives Working in Home Textiles, to expand the educational offerings of the 2005 House to Home Market Week.
House to Home, to be held Oct. 16 to 19 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center,NYC, will present programs addressing color and design directions, lifestyle trends, the power of TV and future impacts upon the home products industries. An opening-night party and best new product awards also will be part of the market itinerary. Programs include a discussion Sunday, Oct. 16, with Line Tousignant, director of Peclers Paris North America, who will look into 2007 and the major cultural influences on the home industry in the future. On Oct. 17, Jennifer Castoldi, founder, president and creative director of Paris-based forecasting service Trendease International, will present emerging product ideas from Europe's 20 hottest trade events.
House to Home encompasses the fall New York Home Textiles Show, the New York Gourmet Housewares Show, Global Connections and SURTEX Gallery.
8/02/05 - This summer's edition of the New York International Gift Fair (NYIGF) will debut a new outdoor living focus area in its Floral & Garden Accessories division. Some 20 exhibitors are participating in the new area. They will showcase torches, outdoor furniture, urns, bird baths and feeders, fountains, planters, trellises and lanterns. In total, Floral & Garden Accessories will feature more than 95 exhibitors of silk flowers, dried flowers, vases, plant stands, ribbons, outdoor and garden room furniture, decorative tabletop and stationery products with floral motifs.
Located in Passenger Ship Terminal Pier 92, the New York International Gift Fair will be held August 13th to 18th, 2005. For attendee information, call 1-800-272-SHOW, or 914-421-3206.
8/02/05 - Despite the recent departure of some major showrooms along with an anticipated dip in buyer traffic, some exhibitors at the Los Angeles Gift & Home Market still reported brisk business throughout the July 19-26 run of the show, held at the California Market Center.
The gift sector of the CMC was dealt a blow when one of its anchors, Firestone & Associates, moved to the rival L.A. Mart in a restructuring move. Another blow came from the opening of the 2.5 million-square-foot World Market Center in Las Vegas, a new event for the home furnishings sector.
Exhibitors were not expecting many buyers. "Surprisingly, it wasn't a bad show. We saw less people, but those that came were writing orders," said Sandra Caicedo, showroom manager for Amscan, a home decor showroom. Carol Lang, principal of the CMC's largest gift industry tenant, California Marketing Associates (CMA), reported mixed results. "We did better with our gift items and less so with our home goods," she said, attributing the slack to the opening of the new Las Vegas market. "We're all watching to see what happens there."
The World Market Center is set to roll out in several phases, which will eventually bring more than 7 million square feet of exhibit space to Las Vegas.
The CMC changed hands in May when Los Angeles-based Jamison Properties took over ownership. Jamison officials said they plan to bring in more anchor and other tenants and will enhance marketing plans. The building hired industry veteran Robert Sotomayor to manage the gift and home sector. He replaces Charles Snyder, who recently resigned. "Robert will be actively negotiating with potential anchor tenants," said a CMC spokesperson. "In addition, we will be moving forward with trade shows and special events that promote our unique advantage of having gift and home and fashion under the same roof." CMC representatives did not release attendance figures for the show.
8/02/05 - The World Market Center in Las Vegas, which presented its first home furnishings market late last month, obtained $225 million in permanent financing from Bear Stearns Commercial Mortgage. The financing will allow the market to pay off its original construction loan used to build the Phase One facility just as organizers prepare to break ground on Phase Two. "We are on schedule to start the construction of Phase Two before the grand opening of the first building," said Jack Kashani, managing partner of the market along with Shawn Samson. "This is great news for the hundreds of prospective tenants who are on our waiting list for space for future phases, and more than 40,000 expected domestic and international buyers attending our inaugural Las Vegas Market."
8/02/05 - Tabletop resource Syratech, will open a 5,000-square-foot showroom in the World Trade Center of the Dallas Market Center, at the September 2005 market. Among the lines Syratech will present are Vera Wang Giftware, Elements and Melannco Frames, and Wallace, Towle, and International Silver. "We feel confident that this is the right move for growing our business, and we support Dallas in their steps to establish Dallas Market Center as a tabletop destination," said Syratech's Mary Morris.
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