Feb 11, 2013

Made in America Section to Debut at Seattle Gift Show – August 2013

To further strengthen its support of the Buy Local/Made in America movement, Urban Expositions will add a Made In America category to the Seattle Gift Show. Makings it debut during the August 17-20, 2013 edition at the Washington State Convention Center, the new section will offer retailers a convenient, comprehensive resource for discovering the quality, American-made gifts and accessories consumers are increasingly looking for today.

“The Seattle Gift Show has always been a resource for creative, unique, American-made items and we wanted to take the selection to the next level by creating and promoting a special section dedicated exclusively to this important category,” explains Doug Miller, president, Urban Expositions, owners/producers of the Seattle Gift Show. “Our goal is to make it as easy as possible for retailers to find these items. It’s just one more way we can all work together to help support the US economy and promote job growth here at home.”

“As a small business owner for more than 32 years, I can’t express enough the importance of carrying Made in America merchandise,” notes Terry Heiman, Metropolis, Seattle, WA. “My customers turn away from items made in China. When I point out merchandise that is made locally, therefore Made in America, it impresses them. They always have a good thought in return. The returned focus on Made in America products is a return for the better.”

The new Made In America section now joins the eight other show categories comprising the extensive selection at the Seattle Gift Show , including Food Focus, Gifts & Collectibles, Handcrafted, Home & Garden, Northwest Directions, Personal Style, Treasures To Go (Cash & Carry, including Village arts and Fine Jewelry) and Vintage Collection. Located next to the Handcrafted and Gift & Collectibles sections on the show floor, the Made In America section will showcase a wide range of products, including tableware, jewelry/fashion accessories, folk art, pottery, candles, furniture, garden décor, textiles, gourmet foods, stationery, personal accessories and much more.

“Made in America merchandise is our strongest growing product category,” says Chris Lake, retail director, ARAMARK Parks & Destinations. “Supporting local artisans throughout our destinations enhances our ongoing mission of an authentic guest experience. By providing an exclusive marketplace to showcase this category, Urban Expositions brings visibility and credibility to the growing emphasis on Made in America products.”

“I’m very excited to hear about Seattle’s Made in America section,” adds Mimi Tappenbeck, retail buyer, Xanterra Parks & Resorts. “As a retail buyer for many of our beautiful national parks, it’s very important to have quality Made in America products available to our guests. I’m anxious to see what products are available — under one roof — versus searching online!”

According to Federal Trade Commission regulations, a product has to be “all or virtually all” produced in the United States to use the “Made in America” qualification on its packaging or advertising. To qualify for the Seattle Gift Show Made In America section, products must be constructed in the US from a minimum 70 percent or more domestically produced materials.

In addition to the expanded selection, Urban Expositions will also feature a special seminar during the show sharing ideas and marketing strategies to help retailers build, merchandise, market and sell a strong selection of Made in America products.

“The responsibility of the buyer is to try and buy more Made in America products. For the last three years we have all seen the ads to ‘shop local’ and what could be more local to buy than Made in America. Made in America is more than just a trend, it is a statement of support,” said Richard Bloom, R. Blooms, Lake Oswego, OR. “Once again Urban Expositions is on the cutting edge of consumer demand. Thank you for bringing this important division to the show.”

Companies interested in exhibiting in the new Made in America section should contact Lisa Glosson, show director, at 800.318.2238, ext. 0334 or 678.370.0334, e: lglosson@urban-expo.com . Retailers interested in attending the Seattle Gift Show can visit the show website www.seattlegiftshow.com to pre-register or contact Buyer Relations Directors Briana Mackey -800.318.2238 , ext. 4573, 678,370.4773, e: bmackey@urban-expo.com or Jhana Jordan – 800.318.2238, ext. 0233 , 678.370.0233 or jjordan@urban-expo.com

SEATTLE GIFT SHOW FAST FACTS:
WHEN: August 17-20, 2013
HOURS: Saturday – August 17 – Monday, August 19 9 am – 6 pm
Monday – August 20 9 am – 3 pm
WHERE: Washington State Convention Center,
800 Convention Place, Seattle , WA 98101-2350
MORE INFO: www.seattlegiftshow.com, 800.318.2238 or 678.285.3976

ABOUT 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