Nov 8, 2012

California Gift Show Announces Seminar Schedule for Winter 2013 Edition

Now managed by Urban Expositions, the California Gift Show will feature an expanded product selection as well as a host of buyer services and networking events. Among the highlights will be an enhanced buyer education program. From social media marketing and visual merchandising to American-made product promotion and airport retail opportunities, retailers are sure to learn something new when they attend any of these sessions during the January 25-28, 2013 edition at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

Running throughout the 4-day event, all educational programs are free to registered buyers. Retailers can check the show website – www.californiagiftshow.com and the official show directory handed out on show site for complete details and seminar locations.

“Since taking over the reins of the California Gift Show in August 2012, we’ve focused our efforts on rebuilding and expanding the product selection, as well as the buyer services offerings,” explains Doug Miller, president, Urban Expositions. “Education is an integral part of this revitalization strategy. We want to make sure that we’re providing area retailers with fresh new product, as well as business-building tools and strategies to help sharpen their competitive edge for the coming year.”

The January 2013 California Gift Show seminar program will include the following presentations:

Friday, January 25

Airports Are Thriving. They’re Where You Want To Be.
Hosted by: Airports Revenue News (ARN) | 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Hear from the experts about how to take advantage of the upcoming opportunities in airports, why it’s a venue that is super lucrative and the ins and outs of doing business in this unique environment. ARN has covered timely and pertinent issues impacting non-aviation revenues at airports for the past 15 years.

Real Americana: How to Develop the Right Made in the USA Assortment
Speaker: Chris Lake, retail director, ARAMARK Parks and Destinations | 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Chris will enlighten retailers on how to build a winning collection of made in America products that customers are sure to love. You’ll also see how classification and interpretive messaging can help sell even more!

Make Your Store More Pinteresting
Speaker: Crystal Vilkaitis, founder, Crystalmedia | 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Pinterest is a fun way to organize ideas and products you find interesting, but did you know it’s also a great way to drive traffic to your website and show customers your store’s personality? Speaker Crystal Vilkaitis will share easy ways to profit from Pinterest and engage your customers in a fun and social new way. Since 2007, Vilkaitis has dedicated herself to helping retailers and manufacturers integrate social media strategies into their business to increase exposure and growth.

Saturday, January 26

The Selling Power of Creativity: Retail Store Design, Visual Merchandising, and Trend Forecasting For Today’s Retailer
Speaker: Christopher Gaona, Principal, Christopher Gaona Design Studio | 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Named one of Traditional Home’s “Top 20 Young Designers” to watch, Christopher knows how to craft singular, timeless experiences. During this idea-packed program, he will offer insight on how to increase your sales by creating an in-store atmosphere that is designed to enhance your customer’s experience while shopping at your store. With his experience in delivering innovative designs to various retail clients, he has the ability to spot trends and will share these with you, along with fresh ways to keep your inventory ahead of the competition.

7 Sure-Fire Social Media Tips to Increase Traffic and Sales
Speaker: Crystal Vilkaitis, founder, Crystalmedia | 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Are you in need of some creative ideas to help increase activity and results using your social media networks like Pinterest, Facebook or Instagram? If so, then don’t miss this helpful session where Crystal will give you tips on how to put these actionable steps into your store’s marketing.

Saturday, January 27

For Retailers: The Key to Success is Buying, Not Just Selling
Speaker: Mita Patnaik, Co-founder of Vianza, Inc. | 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Your competitive advantage is not how you sell, but how you buy. Sourcing a constant stream of new products is complicated and requires efficiency in order to capitalize on trends. Where the old manual process complicates, technology simplifies. During this session, Mita Patnaik will teach you how to manage your complex multi-vendor transactions all in one place. You’ll also learn best practices from Vianza’s experience working directly with retailers and wholesale manufacturers that will save you time and expense.

California Gift Show Fast Facts
When: Friday, January 25 – Monday, January 28, 2013
Where: Los Angeles Convention Center, Kentia & South Halls
Hours: 9 AM – 6 PM, Friday – Sunday; 9 AM – 4 PM, Monday
More Info: www.californiagiftshow.com | 678.285.3976 or 800.318.2238

URBAN EXPOSITIONS
Urban Expositions is the largest gift, airport and souvenir trade show organizer in the U.S., hosting a total of 24 shows each year. In January of 1996, Urban Expositions launched the semi-annual Philadelphia Gift Show, which has become one of the largest and most successful regional gift events in the nation. Since then, the company has continued to grow through acquisitions and new show development. Based in Kennesaw, GA, Urban Expositions offers a complete roster of trade show management services, including exhibit sales and marketing, operations, exhibitor/ attendee promotions and services, media relations, seminar and event coordination, database development and management. For more information, visit www.urban-expo.com or call 800.318.2238