Seeking Out Treasures in an Informal Setting

BOSTON GIFT SHOW

March 2–5

Bayside Expo & Conference Center

200 Mount Vernon St.

Boston 02125

(800) 272-SHOW

www.bostongiftshow.com

Show Producer: George Little Management LLC

Special Event: New England Aquarium Fundraiser. Sunday, March 3, from 6:30–8:30 p.m. Buyers and exhibitors are invited to view the 3-D Imax movie, "Into the Deep." Tickets are $40, and include pre-theater refreshments, two complimentary drinks, buffet dinner, dessert, theater admission, and round-trip shuttle service from the Conference Center. Net proceeds from the event will go to September 11th relief funds.

Seminars

• New Buyer Orientation. Saturday, March 2, 10:30–11:30 a.m. Speaker: Vicki Hofstetter. Tickets are $15 in advance/$20 on site.
• "Props for Pennies." Saturday, March 2, 1–2 p.m. Speaker: Tom Davidson. Tickets are $15 in advance/$20 on site, and include refreshments.
• "Gift Baskets and Beyond." Sunday, March 3, 10:30–11:30 a.m. Speaker: Yvonne Evilsizor. Tickets are $15 in advance/$20 on site, and include refreshments.

Look For: The Open to Buy Sweepstakes gives attendees the chance to stretch their Open to Buy dollars during the market. One lucky retailer will win a $1,500 credit toward merchandise, whereby The Boston Gift Show will match dollar-for-dollar (up to $1,500) what the winner spends on three confirmed orders at the show.

For travel arrangements, call Travel Planners at (800) 221-3531.

THE CENTER IN BEDFORD

January 5–9

59 Middlesex Tpke.

Bedford, MA 01730

(800) 435-2775

www.thegiftcenter.com

Look For: Many items will make their national debut at the Premiere Show. Here's a hint of what you will discover. In the 100 blue section: There's home decor by Caffco at Brasssmith House, showroom 168, and in showroom 148, Hootstein Associates introduces Nextpen. In the 200 red section: There's French provincial ware at Scott Cunningham & Associates, showroom 246, and suncatchers and candle lanterns by Viva! At B.L. Rogers Associates in showroom 234. In the 300 yellow section: Look for Vietri's Italian tabletop and stemware introductions at Mylissa Kapela & Associates, showroom 300, and historic nutcrackers at Saalman Associates, showroom 320. In the 400 green section, O'Leary & Company, showroom 450, has crystal laser art and Valentine roses from Crystalia, and Ron Gilefsky & Co. presents the whimsical adornments from December Diamonds.

MARKET SQUARE

NEW ENGLAND

February 24–26

Royal Plaza Hotel & Trade Center

181 Boston Post Rd.

W. Marlborough, MA 01752

(717) 796-2377

www.marketsquareshows.com

Show Producer: Market Square Associates

Product Range: A broad range of traditional handmade craft, folk art, one-of-a-kind originals, and home furnishings

For travel arrangements, call Priority Travel at (888) 796-9991.

PHILADELPHIA GIFT SHOW

January 5–8

Fort Washington Expo Center

1100 Virginia Dr.

Fort Washington, PA 19034

(678) 285-EXPO

www.urbanexpositions.com

Show Producer: Urban Expositions

Special Event: Free Show Party. Monday, January 7, 7 p.m., at the Holiday Inn Fort Washington. Relax at the party and enjoy food, drinks, and music.

Seminars

All seminars are free of charge.

• Buyer's Roundtable. Saturday, January 5, 9:30–10:30 a.m. Speaker: Nancy Huttlin
• "Sensational Spring Gift Baskets." Saturday, January 5, 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Speaker: Shirley Frazier
• "Quick and Easy Visual Display Ideas." Sunday, January 6, 10–11 a.m. Speaker: Susan Wagner

For travel arrangements, call Connections at (800) 262-9974.

MARKET SQUARE

February 8–10

Fort Washington Expo Center

1100 Virginia Dr.

Fort Washington, PA 19034

(717) 796-2377

www.marketsquareshows.com

Show Producer: Market Square Associates

Featured Markets: The Gallery of the American Craftsman and The Market Square Order Writing Show

For travel arrangements, call Priority Travel at (888) 796-9991.

BUYERS MARKET OF AMERICAN CRAFT (BMAC)

February 15–18

Pennsylvania Convention Center

1101 Arch St.

Philadelphia 19102

(800) 432-7238

www.americanstyle.com

Show Producer: The Rosen Group

Special Events

• Jewelry and Art-to-Wear Preview. Thursday, February 14, 3–7 p.m. in Exhibit Hall A.
• BMAC 20th Anniversary Gala. Saturday, February 16, 8 p.m.–midnight. Enjoy food, drink, and live entertainment in the Grand Hall as BMAC kicks off its third decade.
• NICHE Awards Reception, Sunday, February 17, 6–11 p.m.

Seminars

• "Wholesale Buying 101." February 14, 1–2:30 p.m.
• "Strength in Numbers." February 15, 8–9:30 a.m.
• "Recessionary Survival Strategies." February 16, 8–9:30 a.m.
• "In It for the Long Haul." February 17, 8–9:30 a.m.

Look For: Bid on works by participating exhibitors for the Craft Emergency Relief Fund (CERF) Silent Auction. Bids will be taken from Friday, February 15 at 10 a.m. until Monday, February 18 at noon.

HERITAGE MARKET CASH & CARRY WHOLESALE MARKET

February 7–9

Holiday Inn, 260 Mall Blvd.

The Hilton Hotel

251 W. DeKalb Pike

King of Prussia, PA 19406

(717) 249-9404

www.heritagemarkets.com

Show Producer: Heritage Markets Traditional Wholesale Shows

WASHINGTON GIFT SHOW

February 3–6

Capital Expo & Conference Ctr.

4320 Chantilly Shopping Center

Chantilly, VA 20153

(800) 272-SHOW

www.washingtongiftshow.com

Show Producer: George Little Management LLC

Special Event: Super Bowl Fundraising Party. Sunday, February 3, 6:30 p.m. at the Westfields Mariott. Tickets are $20 and include food and open bar for the first two hours of the party, as well as shuttle service to and from the Conference Center. Net proceeds from the event will go to September 11th relief funds.

Seminars

• New Buyer Orientation. Sunday, February 3, 10–11 a.m. Speakers: Helen Overly, Barbara Hertel, and Mary Elizabeth Brown. Tickets are $15 in advance/$20 on site.
• "Props for Pennies." Saturday, March 2, 1–2 p.m. Speaker: Tom Davidson. Tickets are $15 in advance/$20 on site.

For travel arrangements, call Travel Planners at (800) 221-3531.