NEW
PRODUCTS AND RESOURCES CREATE AN ENTHUSIASTIC BUZZ AT THE
PORTLAND
GIFT & ACCESSORIES SHOW®
JANUARY
7-10, 2006
POST-SHOW REPORT
San Francisco : Retailers in the Oregon and Northwest came prepared to replenish their inventory at the January 7-10, 2006 Portland Gift & Accessories Show® after the busy fourth quarter. Many independent storeowners reported a 10 to 15 percent increase in sales over the previous year, and were looking for resources for Valentine’s Day as well as the summer tourist season. The timing of the Portland market proved to be beneficial to many buyers coming from outlying areas of Oregon, Washington and Idaho. Over 4,400 buyers attended this winter show with 483 new stores making this event a “must” for filling their shelves. The 147 th semi-annual gift event, held at the Oregon Convention Center, provided nearly 400 booths filled with merchandise.
The Portland management team also provided unique educational opportunities as seminar workshops were well attended. Topics covered included ways to save money in business, visual presentation and reacting to changes in economic and demographic climates quickly. In addition, Demonstration Theater provided free demonstrations led by exhibiting companies. These programs were put together to help retailers market and sell the product found on the exhibit floor for more profitability.
“Exhibitors at the Portland Gift & Accessories Show find that it is the perfect market for setting up new accounts,” said David Gilfoyle, Show Manager of the Portland Gift & Accessories Show, Western Exhibitors, Inc. “In addition, this market has started attracting more retailers from across the nation— Hawaii, Montana, Idaho and Alaska—that come specifically to find unique product for their store giving them a competitive edge,” continued Gilfoyle.
“We were excited about the positive attitude toward the economy in this region. The mood on the show floor reflected this enthusiasm and retailers were willing to look at new products and ideas for the coming seasons,” stated Mike Dean, President of Western Exhibitors, Inc.
Number of Exhibiting Companies:
248
Number of Booths:
363
Buyer Attendance:
4,408
Retail Store
Attendance: 2,557
New
Stores Registered: 155
New
Buyers Registered: 483
“We always have a booth at the Portland Gift & Accessories Show. It’s a great show to obtain new business. We find that of the orders we write here, 60 percent are from new stores.”
“The Portland Gift & Accessories Show consistently has products you cannot find in other markets—it’s what helps the independent storeowner attain their own look!”
“This has been such a wonderful experience! As a new buyer, I was not sure what to expect, and it has been such a positive experience. I have found so many wonderful products for our store!”
Best booth awards were
presented to five Portland Gift & Accessories
Show® exhibitors. Winners are selected on a strict criteria.
Best
Small Booth (200 sq. ft. or under): Victoria’s
Lavender
Best Large
Booth (200 sq. ft. or over): A W Pottery Northwest
Best
Booth by a New Exhibitor: Culture Den
Show
Management Award: Hayden Island Candy
Show
Management Award: Spin Mobile
The Portland Gift & Accessories Show rewarded retailers with daily $500 cash rebate drawings for orders. The following are the winners:
Cele Hannigen—Chase
Florist, Eugene, Oregon
Sandra
Jirak—Govy
General, Inc., Government Camp, Oregon
Christie
Schwary—Celebrate
Faith, Canby, Oregon
The next Portland Gift & Accessories Show® will take place June 3-6, 2006, at the Oregon Convention Center. The show will feature Artisans Avenue; The Vintage Collection; FoodFocus; Gifts & Collectibles; Personal Care; Home and Decorative Accessories; The Jewelry Vaultsm; Souvenirs & Novelty; Floral and Garden Accessories.
General giftware; tabletop; housewares; decorative and personal accessories; contemporary, traditional, home furnishings; handcrafted Northwest crafts products; floral and garden products; and juvenile products; antiques and found objects; pre-packaged gourmet food items; seasonal merchandise; stationery; souvenir/resort products; personal care items; fine and fashion jewelry.
For exhibitor information about the Portland Gift & Accessories Show, please contact David Gilfoyle, Show Manager—telephone 415.447.3232. Fax 415.346.4965. E-mail david@weshows.com. Additional information may be obtained by visiting Western Exhibitors’ Web Site at www.portlandgift.com.
Attendee information may be obtained by calling 800.346.1212 (outside of the Bay Area) or 415.346.0168 (within the San Francisco Bay Area). Fax 415.346.4965. Contact Western Exhibitors, Inc. via e-mail at showinfo@weshows.com. Web-site: www.weshows.com or the show specific site: www.portlandgift.com.
Management Information
The Portland Gift & Accessories Show is managed and produced by Western Exhibitors, Inc. on behalf of dmg world media. Portland Gift & Accessories Show â and The Jewelry Vaultsm are registered trademarks of Western Exhibitors, Inc., San Francisco, California, USA.
Press Contact:
Stacey L. Heiss
Director
of Marketing
P:
415.447.3237; F: 415.346.4965; E-mail: stacey@weshows.com