Northeast Regional Markets: The Personal Touch
Across New England, smaller markets offer buyers unique merchandise in a relaxed atmosphere
Edited by Matthew Kalash -- Gifts & Decorative Accessories, 1/1/2001
Massachusetts
Boston Gift Show
The 146th semiannual Boston Gift Show, produced by George Little Management, will bring more than 2,500 lines of gifts and decorative accessories to the Bayside Exposition Ctr. in Boston, March 4-7. Returning special sections include At Home, General Gift, Handmade, Made in New England, Souvenir Source, and The Museum Source. The show will also showcase more than 20 international resources, the majority of which hail from Canada. The Boston Gift Show features stationery, gourmet products, toys, general gifts, floral items, decorative and personal accessories, tabletop, crafts, souvenirs, and jewelry. The show will also offer a schedule of educational programs and a networking event celebrating the opening of the winter market. First-time exhibitors at the show will have an opportunity to learn the tricks of the trade through the Exhibitor Mentor program, which pairs a new exhibitor with a seasoned exhibitor from their same section of the show. Call (914) 421-3366 for details. A special product preview display in the Commonwealth Meeting Room near the buyers' lounge will showcase a variety of products.
BUYER AMENITIES
The buyers' lounge, in the Commonwealth Meeting Room, will be open during show hours, and will offer complimentary bagels and coffee until 11 a.m.
A parking rebate of $2 will be given to retailers parking at the Bayside Exposition Ctr. when same-day parking receipts are brought to the parking rebate desk.
Shuttle service will be available from downtown hotels, as well as designated Boston Gift Show parking lots near the Exposition Ctr., March 4-6. Additional shuttle service will be available from the Sheraton Tara Hotel in Braintree, MA, and the Park-and-Ride commuter parking lot off I-95.
Travel and hotel accommodations can be secured through Travel Planners Inc. by calling (800) 221-3531 or (212) 532-1660.
SHOW INFO
Hours: March 4-6, 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m.; March 7, 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
Address: Bayside Exposition Ctr., 200 Mount Vernon St., Boston 02125
Call: (800) 272-SHOW
www.glmshows.com
The Center in Bedford
The Center in Bedford, MA, will hold its Premier Show for 2001 from January 6-10, to showcase more than 1,700 gift and decorative accessory lines. Hundreds of new products will be unveiled during the show that will complement the Center's existing lines. New businesses debuting at the Premier Show include Packaging Specialties in the red section, and Designer Alternatives in the green section. Exhibitors will provide exclusive show specials, dating programs, and discounts on orders placed through the show. Attendees will also have the opportunity to win prizes every hour during the show.
SHOW INFO
Hours: January 6-10, 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
Address: 59 Middlesex Tpke., Bedford, MA 01730
Call: (800) 435-2775 or (781) 275-2775
www.thegiftcenter.com
Market Square New England
One of the best kept secrets for handcrafted product in the Northeast is Market Square New England, slated for February 25-27, at the Royal Plaza Hotel and Trade Ctr. in Marlborough, MA. With a diverse selection of more than 200 companies offering traditional handmade craft, folk art, and one-of-a-kind crafts and home furnishings, Market Square New England is ideal for buyers searching for unconventional product not found at all markets. For reservations and airfare, call Priority Travel at (888) 796-9991. Market Square New England is produced by Market Square Traditional Wholesale Shows in Mechanicsburg, PA.
SHOW INFO
Hours: February 25-26, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; February 27, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Address: Royal Plaza Hotel and Trade Ctr., 181 Boston Post Rd. W., Marlborough, MA 01752
Call: (717) 796-2377
www.marketsquareshows.com
Pennsylvania
Philadelphia Gift Show
The Philadelphia Gift Show offers retailers throughout the mid-Atlantic and northeast states their first chance to restock after the busy holiday season when it returns to the Fort Washington Expo Ctr., in Fort Washington, PA, January 6-9. The 1,000 booths of the Philadelphia Gift Show offer a wide selection of merchandise in such categories as general giftware, decorative accessories, greeting cards, paper goods, stationery, tabletop, crafts, collectibles, fashion accessories, toys and games, garden gifts, seasonal items, and artisan items. There will be a buyer education program to help buyers enhance their merchandising skills, and pre-registered buyers will receive a special Market Planner. For discount hotel rates, call Connections at (800) 262-9974.
SEMINARS
Seminars will be held in the Exhibit Hall seminar area, and are free.
Saturday, January 6
- 9:30-10:30 a.m. Buyers' Roundtable. Nancy Huttlin of Country Workshop Marketing leads a discussion on buying tips, trends, and the bottom line.
- 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Gift Basket Design Seminar. "Spice Up Sales with Spring Holiday Design." Shirley Frazier of Sweet Survival shares tips on individual and corporate gift-giving.
- 2-3 p.m. "Fabulous Florals: Creative Ways to Bring Floral Designs and Accents into Your Merchandising Mix." Carolyn Mizisin outlines strategies and designs to boost store sales.
Sunday, January 7
- 10-11 a.m. "Fabulous Florals." An encore presentation.
SHOW INFO
Hours: January 6-8, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; January 9, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Address: Ft. Washington Expo Ctr., 1100 Virginia Dr., Fort Washington, PA 19034
Call: (678) 285-EXPO
www.urbanexpositions.com
Market Square
The Market Square show, February 8-11, at the Fort Washington Expo Ctr. and the Valley Forge Convention Ctr. in Fort Washington, PA, will feature a theme of Spring is In the Air, and present more than 1,000 exhibitors offering garden merchandise, traditional crafts, and home furnishings. Buyers will have the opportunity to obtain signed pieces from designers Warren Kimball and David Frank, who will offer his latest designs on a new line of candles and prints by Cranberry Run. The Traditional Crafts section will offer folk art, crafts, country collectibles, and museum-quality reproductions, and the Furniture and Accessories section will showcase a number of regional classics. Market Square will also present a program of free seminars throughout the show.
The market officially begins with the Buyers' Cash and Carry Wholesale Market on February 8 and 9, offering immediate delivery of one-of-a-kind and limited-edition pieces. Also opening on Thursday, in conjunction with Market Square, is the Gallery of American Craftsmen at the Radisson Valley Forge Ballrooms adjacent to the Valley Forge Convention Ctr. There, on February 8-10, 65 juried artists will present limited-edition products. Buyers may purchase selected products on site, as well as place orders.
SHOW INFO
Hours: Buyers Cash and Carry Wholesale Mkt.: February 8, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.; February 9, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Gallery of American Craftsmen: February 8, 3-9 p.m.; February 9, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; February 10, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Market Square order-writing show: February 9, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; February 10, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; February 11, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Addresses: Ft. Washington Expo Ctr., 1100 Virginia Dr., Fort Washington, PA 19034; Valley Forge Convention Ctr., 1200 First Ave., King of Prussia, PA 19406
Call: (717) 796-2377
www.marketsquareshows.com
Buyers Market of American Craft
Craft artists from across the United States and Canada will show their best contemporary, transitional, and traditional work at the Buyers Market of American Craft in the Pennsylvania Convention Ctr., February 16-19. Categories include jewelry, wearable fiber, decorative fiber, wood, metal, mixed media, interiors, outdoor, kaleidoscopes, glass, and ceramics. The centerpiece of the show, the Inspired Interiors section, will feature larger, more dramatic art furnishings, as well as high-quality furniture, lighting, and decorative accessories. The Premier Jewelry Pavilion will highlight jewelers working in gold, platinum, diamonds, and other precious stones. Work from the 2001 NICHE Award finalists (both professional and student) will be on display in the concourse.
As special considerations, new exhibitors are designated for buyers both on the floor and in the show guide, and guilds and other non-profit organizations from across the U.S. and Canada are provided with complimentary booths, so that attendees can see the up-and-coming artists in the field. Throughout the show, buyers are encouraged to make bids in the Craft Emergency Relief Fund auction to benefit artists who have fallen on hard times. Special events at this year's market include daily fashion shows of wearable art and jewelry, from 12:30-1:30 p.m., February 16-18; and the 2001 NICHE Awards ceremony and dinner to honor the nation's most innovative craft artists, February 18, at 6 p.m. Tickets are $22 in advance, $25 at the door.
SEMINARS
Thursday, February 15
- 2:30-3:30 p.m. "Get a Leg Up on E-Commerce with Proven Selling Strategies." Speaker: Bruce Baker. Fee: $18 in advance/$20 on site.
Friday, February 16
- 8-9:30 a.m. "Successful Advertising Strategies for Your Gallery." Complimentary breakfast.
Thursday, February 17
- 8-10 a.m. "Palettes, Special Effects, and Motifs for Accessories and Interiors." Speaker: Margaret Walch. Fee: $18/$20 on site. Includes breakfast.
Wednesday, February 18
- 8-10 a.m. "Increase Your Jewelry Vocabulary: Techniques and Trends." Speaker: Cindy Edelstein. Fee: $18/$20 on site. Includes breakfast.
SHOW INFO
Hours: February 16-18, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; February 19, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Address: 1101 Arch St., Philadelphia 19102
Call: (410) 889-2933 or (800) 432-7238
www.americanstyle.com
The Heritage Markets
Now at three locations in and around Valley Forge, PA, the Heritage Market of American Crafts and the Heritage Market Cash & Carry Wholesale Market offer an even greater selection of unique American crafts and modern products for the home. The Cash & Carry Wholesale Market, February 10-11, at the Expo at QVC in West Chester, PA, specializes in new and innovative home and garden merchandise. Attendees can buy on site or place orders with over 150 exhibitors. The Heritage Market of American Crafts returns to the Hilton Hotel and the Holiday Inn in King of Prussia, PA, February 9-11. More than 200 artisans and craftspeople will present new products in categories including reproduction and hand-decorated furniture pieces, decorative iron, lighting, floor coverings, pottery, textiles, and woodcarvings.
SHOW INFO
Hours: The Heritage Market of American Crafts, February 9-10, 9 a.m.-8 p.m., February 11, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; The Heritage Market Cash & Carry Wholesale Market, February 10-11, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Addresses: Valley Forge Hilton Hotel, 251 W. DeKalb Pike, King of Prussia, PA 19406; Valley Forge Holiday Inn, 250 Mall Blvd., King of Prussia, PA 19406
Call: (717) 249-9404
www.heritagemarkets.com
Washington, DC
Washington Gift Show
With the recent renovations to the Capital Expo Ctr. completed, the 103rd semiannual Washington Gift Show, February 4-7, will expand to 46,000 net square feet of exhibit space, representing an increase of almost 3,000 square feet over the January 2000 market. Other enhancements include on-site seminars, a buyers' lounge, and nearly 100 new exhibitors, bringing the total number of participating companies to 300. The market will showcase some 1,500 lines of giftware, decorative and personal accessories, craft goods, and handmade products. Special sections include At Home, Floral and Garden Accessories, General Gift, and Handmade. "Good Vibrations," a special networking event for buyers and exhibitors sponsored by show producer George Little Management Inc., will take place on Sunday, February 4, from 6-7:30 p.m. in the North Hall. Hors d'oeuvres and entertainment will be provided.
BUYER AMENITIES
Little Dollars. On Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday, buyers will have a chance to win $250 in Little Dollars redeemable with any exhibitor for merchandise purchased at the show. To qualify, buyers must present invoices from any exhibitor at the show, amounting to at least $250. Drawings will be held at 5:30 p.m. in the registration area. Buyers must be present to win.
Free parking is available on site.
Shuttle buses will run between the Expo Ctr. and designated hotels.
For travel and hotel accommodations, call Travel Planners, (800) 532-1660.
SHOW INFO
Hours: February 4-6, 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m.; February 7, 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
Address: Capitol Expo Ctr., 4320 Chantilly Shopping Ctr., Chantilly, VA 20153
Call: (800) 272-SHOW
www.glmshows.com
Greater Washington Gift Mart Show
Concurrent with the Washington Gift Show, the Greater Washington Gift Mart will present its Christmas 2001 show, February 4-6, in Fairfax, VA. Look for the mart to offer a diverse selection of merchandise for the 2001 holiday season.
SHOW INFO
Hours: February 4-6, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Address: 11204 Waples Mill Rd., Fairfax, VA 22030
Call: (703) 352-8010.
