May 26, 2017
Philadelphia Gift Show announces new Discovery Zone, seminar, events schedule

Philadelphia Gift Show announced the extensive educational lineup for its brand new Discovery Zone feature at the July 23-26, 2017 edition. Designed to help retailers boost their productivity and sales, the Discovery Zone is a lively and engaging area on the Philadelphia Gift Show floor that will feature quick learning sessions, panel discussions and demonstrations touching on a variety of topics and trends, from merchandising and display ideas, social media marketing and mobile retail to buying and selling fair trade and handmade in America products. While in the Discovery Zone, retailers can also enjoy afternoon popcorn socials, tour a mobile fashion boutique and enter to win daily prize drawings.

For its Discovery Zone debut, the Philadelphia Gift Show is partnering 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), participating exhibitors and others. Programs and events include:

Full-length programs

As the go-to source for social media marketing in the retail industry, Crystal Vilkaitis, CEO, Crystal Media, will present two 60-minute social media marketing seminars on Monday, July 24. Her programs will include 5 Ways You’re Sabotaging Yourself on Social Media from 9:45-10:45 a.m. and The Social Selling Mindset from 1:45-2:45 p.m.

On Monday, July 24 at 11 a.m., Julie Steiner, first vice president of the Museum Store Association (MSA) and director of retail operation for The Barnes Foundation, will host the Made in America Curated Buying Tour – a curated shopping experience to demonstrate how to choose the perfect American-made products. All participants will receive complimentary lunch.

Daily demos and pop-up presentations

Experience the Magic of Made in America
Diane Sulg, Executive Director, Craft Retailers & Artists for Tomorrow (CRAFT)
Sunday – Tuesday, 1-1:15 p.m.

Diane will show you how your sales can shine with inventory straight from the Makers’ Market exhibitors.

10 Easy Ways to Increase Your Jewelry Sales
Diana Kauffman, owner, Diana Kauffman Design
Sunday – Tuesday, 1:30-1:45 p.m.
Jewelry packs a lot of profit punch per square foot for retailers. Learn easy, effective ways to boost your jewelry sales during this session from store owner and jewelry designer Diana Kauffman.

Fashion A Go-Go! Sponsored by the American Mobile Retail Association
Brittany Reilly, Bohemian Groove & Courtney Jackson, CJKollective Boutique
Sunday & Tuesday, 1:45-2 p.m. | Monday, 1:15-1:30 p.m.
These successful mobile fashion boutique owners are here to answer questions and share all of the necessary tools, tips and tricks to help you start your own store on wheels. Plus, you’ll get a special tour of CJKollective mobile boutique located on the show floor.

Fresh from the Field: Fair Trade Artisan Stories
Rebecca Piermarini, Marketing Manager and Design Partner for dZi Handmade
Sunday, 2-2:15 p.m. | Monday, 4-4:15 p.m.
Get an inside look behind dZi Handmade’s unique hand-felted products, and factors that affect buying and selling Fair Trade products. Samples of products shown in production in Nepal will be on hand to touch and feel.

Happy, Thoughtful Fair Trade Toys presented by The Rainbow Bear
Sunday & Tuesday, 2:30-2:45 p.m. | Monday, 4:15-4:30 p.m.
Come learn the story of our happy, unique and amazing toys and meet The Rainbow Bear.

Mobile Makeover: The Journey of the Bohemian Groove Luxe Airstream Boutique
Brittany Reilly, owner, Bohemian Groove
Sunday & Tuesday, 2:45-3 p.m. | Monday, 3:45-4 p.m.
Inspired by a love for fashion, traveling, and above all creativity, Bohemian Groove evolved as a canvas for just that. Owner Brittany Reilly, will share her makeover story and how her Bohemian Groove Luxe Airstream boutique evolved into a brand for women who are fun, fresh, carefree and not afraid to wear what they want.

Selling Bells to Ring in 4th Quarter Sales presented by New England Bells
Sunday-Tuesday, 3-3:15 p.m.
Our handmade bells will add an extra jingle to your register. See why bells are perfect for pet, hikers, hunters and to welcome guests.

Merchandising Cohasset Molten Glass to Sell presented by Cohasset Gift & Garden
3:15-3:30 p.m., Sunday-Tuesday
Learn a dozen, quick and easy merchandising tips to share with your customers on how they can incorporate items they already own to display their molten glass items.

How to Take the Perfect Instagram Photo
Diana Kauffman, owner, Diana Kauffman Designs
3:30-3:45 p.m., Sunday-Tuesday
From experienced instagrammers to novices, everyone can benefit from this session that will you take the perfect photo. Diana Kauffman will provide a hands on demonstration of how to style shoot and what tools to use to make your Instagram feed beautiful!

Step Up Your Social Media with Social Edge
Crystal Vilkaitis, CEO, CrystalMedia
10:45-11 a.m.; 12:45-1 p.m. & 2:45-3 p.m., Monday
Are you ready to step-up your social media and start seeing results like increased local exposure, foot traffic, and sales? Social Edge is a training website for retailers who want to know how to use social media to increase store traffic and sales.

Socials/Networking

Afternoon Popcorn Socials

Retailers are invited to stop by the Discovery Zone for an afternoon pick me up and to enjoy a complimentary bag of freshly popped popcorn.

Buyer Buzz Session on Sunday, July 23 & Tuesday, July 25 at 4 p.m.

Join the show management team for a brief session to share your ideas and suggestions for how we can enhance your Philadelphia Gift Show experience. Refreshments served.

Social Connections

This year’s outlook is just peachy.The Pantone Color Institute named Peach Fuzz (PANTONE 13-1023) its 2024 Color of the Year, and the hue is already permeating retail. Here we present the latest products adorned in the peachy hue, as well as four complementary hues selected by Pantone for 2024. Read the Spring 2024 Trend Report here: giftshopmag.com/article/spring-2024-trend-report-peach-fuzz-and-its-supporting-cast/📸: Photo courtesy of Mud Pie. ... See MoreSee Less

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