Aug 7, 2017

Attendance increase, new resources, new Discovery Zone headline July 2017 Philadelphia Gift Show

Tracking 7 percent ahead of the July 2016 edition, the July 23-26, 2017 Philadelphia Gift Show generated reports of quality buyer traffic, a number of first-time exhibitors, and the introduction of the brand new Discovery Zone with three days of pop-up programs and demos for attendees and exhibitors. Featuring hundreds of booths at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center, the show once again attracted Tri-State, Mid-Atlantic and other northeastern retailers eager to explore new introductions and place holiday orders.
“The Philadelphia Gift Show continues to be the market for northeastern retailers to shop a well-defined selection of new resources, top lines, best-selling brands and meet with their regional reps,” said Sonya Lowe, show director, Philadelphia Gift Show. “We received positive feedback from both buyers and exhibitors during the event on our show marketing campaign, which put the spotlight on all things new – new product resources and show features. Just like our retail customers, we are constantly working to keep the Philadelphia Gift Show fresh by bringing in new products, ideas, inspiration and business opportunities to buyers and exhibitors alike.”

Adding to the positive buzz on the show floor , retailers had a chance to vote for the Best New Product Award, choosing Kai Kai Brai (pictured left) a mom and daughter team from Shepherd, Michigan, who created the Tell Me Anything Shared Journal.

“We’re beyond excited and honored to win the Best New Product Award. Our first trade show experience has been very encouraging, assuring us to continue to move forward and build Kai Kai Brai to its full potential,” said Jamie Klump, owner, Kai Kai Brai. “We’ve enjoyed the opportunity to show how our shared journals can be the starting point to a more meaningful conversation between children and their parents.”

In addition, the Philadelphia Gift Show welcomed 104 first-time exhibitors who joined hundreds of other manufacturers and lines in every product category ranging from giftware, souvenir and artisan designs to floral resources, home accents, seasonal items and more.

The show’s versatile selection and new product resources were met with enthusiasm from attending retailers.

“I loved the selection and variety,” said Isabel Danielak, Silverton Pharmacy, Toms River, New Jersey. “I purchased from a number of new vendors for our upcoming holiday season — jewelry, home accessories and kitchen items, soaps and candles, and I added several new Made in the USA items with giveback programs. I’m already looking forward to coming back in January.”

“We’ve been coming to the Philadelphia Gift Show since it opened in 1996 and we keep coming back to buy for our store because of the quality of the vendors,” added Randy Day, Barbara Ann’s Country Home Furnishings, Ambrust, Pennsylvania.

Exhibitor reports of solid order-writing and new business added to the buzz on the show floor:

“Sunday was phenomenal. We opened six new accounts,” said new exhibitor Todd Anderson, Geartec Systems, Pottstown, Pennsylvania.

“This show was strong for holiday orders. 60 percent of our orders were new accounts opened during the show — we met with a lot of independents and garden centers who were stocking up for Christmas holidays,” said Angie Geary, Bedrock Tree Farm, Wakefield, Rhode Island.

“The Philadelphia Gift Show is good for us,” said Ellen Hollin, YTM Clothing & Accessories, Haverford, Pennsylvania. “We opened 17 new accounts. We’re thrilled.”

“Sunday and Monday were strong and all of our appointments came,” added Helene Nasuti, principal, Philip David Company.

The Philadelphia Gift Show also continued many of its convenient onsite buyer services, including daily retailer prize giveaways from exhibitors, as well as daily popcorn socials and the popular “stay for the last day” promotion inviting buyers to shop the last day of the show and enjoy discounted hotel rates, free lunch and show specials offered by exhibitors on Wednesday, January 26th.

MSA First VIce President Julie Steiner led retailers on a curated tour of Made in the USA products during the summer show.
The show also featured an extensive educational line up in the brand new Discovery Zone. For its debut, the Philadelphia Gift Show partnered with leading speakers and associations, including Crystal Vilkaitis, CEO, Crystal Media; Julie Steiner, first vice president, the Museum Store Association (MSA); American Mobile Retail Association (AMRA), Craft Retailers & Artists for Tomorrow (CRAFT), as well as a number of participating exhibitors. The seminar schedule featured several quick learning sessions, panel discussions and demonstrations touching on a variety of topics and trends, from sales, merchandising and display ideas, social media marketing and mobile retail to buying and selling fair trade and handmade in America products.