Apr 26, 2007

Boston Gift Show: Pre-Show Report

Nearly 5,000 independent retailers from throughout the New England states will descend upon Boston, September 15-18, 2007, as the Boston Gift Show presents more than 400 exhibitors of regionally-produced, high quality gifts and decorative accessories at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center (BCEC). Creating buzz for the 159th semi-annual edition is the launch of an Outdoor Living division, a lineup of compelling educational seminars by industry experts, and complimentary one-on-one consultations with a leading authority on internet marketing.

THE MARKET

Some 2,000 product lines will be showcased throughout six easy-to-shop divisions: At Home, General Gift, Handmade, Made in New England, Outdoor Living and Personal Accessories. In addition, museum-quality resources will be found throughout the Show, as well as souvenir products for seasonal and resort retailers.

“This edition of the Boston Gift Show promises to deliver quality both on the Show floor and in the classroom,” said Tony Orlando, show manager. “While unique New England-made products continue to drive traffic, the educational opportunities are putting this Show on the map as a ‘must attend’ event for those seeking insight that will propel their stores to the next level.”

MARKET HIGHLIGHTS

Launch of Outdoor Living Division

The Boston Gift Show will expand into the realm of lawn and garden accessories and outdoor living specialty items with the addition of an Outdoor Living section. The new annual division, to be presented at each fall market, will feature some 65 exhibitors of bird feeders, decorative accessories, garden tools, planters, furniture, fountains, lighting, prints, patio products and other related merchandise.

George Little Management, LLC (GLM), owner of the Boston Gift Show, determined a need for the addition of an Outdoor Living division after research revealed a strong audience and rising interest in this product category. The Northeast region represents the largest concentration of garden centers in the United States, and some $50 billion was spent on outdoor living areas in 2005. With consumer demand at an all-time high, the Boston Gift Show will serve as a platform for companies to showcase the latest in gardening merchandise to thousands of retailers from throughout the New England states.

Complementing the new division will be educational opportunities and networking events specific to this segment of the industry, making this a comprehensive market experience for retailers looking to incorporate or grow a gardening section within their stores. A complete list of events specific to the Outdoor Living division launch will be available online at bostongiftshow.com, beginning in June.

Return of Gift Rap Enewsletter

The official enewsletter of the Boston Gift Show, Gift Rap, will return with issues in July, August and September. The debut of the enewsletter prior to the March 2007 market was well-received, offering exhibitors and attendees a sneak peek at the upcoming market, including new products, educational opportunities and insight from fellow retailers. Past issues are available online at bostongiftshow.com/content/news.html.

Pride of New England Awards

Nominations for the 3rd annual Pride of New England Awards will be accepted onsite during the Boston Gift Show, in the Pride of New England display area. Each year, the Show honors New England retailers for excellence in customer service, creative merchandising and community involvement. All Show participants are invited to nominate a retailer for this coveted honor, which will be announced during the March 2008 market. The nomination form, as well as a list of 2007 winners, also is available online, at bostongiftshow.com/content/pone.htm.

PROGRAMS

The Boston Gift Show has become a top destination for quality educational programming and effective networking opportunities for independent retailers. Highlighting the September market will be two seminars and a series of complimentary one-on-one consultations with Gift Shops of America.com . A complete list of seminars and events will be available online at bostongiftshow.com, beginning June 1, 2007.