Sep 21, 2012

September 2012 Las Vegas Souvenir & Resort Gift Show Attracts Industry’s Premier Retailers

The September 11-14, 2012 edition of the Las Vegas Souvenir and Resort Gift Show recorded a 6 % increase in attendance over the 2011 edition. Drawn by the show’s extensive, targeted product selection, show-sponsored hotel rates starting as low as $9.99, and a growing reputation as the nation’s largest souvenir and resort gift show, buyers from casinos, theme parks, museums, zoos, aquariums and premier tourist destinations flocked to the seventh annual edition at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

“The Las Vegas Souvenir & Resort Gift Show has truly come into its own. Souvenir and resort industry manufacturers and retailers alike now know that this is the must-attend event of the year,” explains Doug Miller, president, Urban Expositions. “When we launched this show seven years ago, our goal was to create a national event that truly catered to the specialized business needs of the souvenir and resort industry. From requests to extend the show dates, to input on ways to fine-tune and enhance the show floor selection, we have worked hard to act upon industry suggestions to ensure that we are offering the very best possible business and networking event.”

Bringing together more than 1100 booths, the show highlighted the newest designs and introductions from top-name brands and innovative newcomers in destination, resort and tourist merchandise, souvenirs, t-shirts, beach items, coastal and nautical, lake, mountain and lodge, ski-themed products, logo products, shell items, giftware, jewelry/fashion accessories, toys/games and more.

“This is absolutely the best networking show in the industry,” said Bill Bub, Xanterra Parks & Resorts, Greenwood Village, CO. “We do 90% of our business here and look forward to coming every year. We bring the entire Xanterra group of buyers.”

“This was our first time at the show and what stood out most was that we could see every leading vendor in one place, under one roof,” said Jeff Monaco, Flamingo Jim’s Gifts & Gems, Rockaway Beach, OR. “We will definitely be back next year.”

“We love Las Vegas and this show,” added Tim Davis, Devil’s Tower Trading Post, Devil’s Tower, WY. ” It’s very easy to get to, filled with great products and people – it has it all!” Exhibitor reports of brisk order-writing and new business added to the buzz on the show floor.

“The Las Vegas Souvenir & Resort Gift Show has been improving every year and 2012 was the best yet. Everyone was positive and optimistic about the coming season,” noted Craig Helmholz, Purr-fection by MJC.

“Our booth was alive and we were busy all four days. It’s great to be back with Jacobson Hat and to see so many of the industry’s top buyers,” added Angelo Curmaci, Jacobson Hat.

Further strengthening the growing buyer base, Urban Expositions worked with leading industry associations like the National Association of Retail Buyers (NARB), the Zoo & Aquarium Buyers Group (ZAG), Living Legends and others to host seminars, hospitality and networking events for their members and associates during the show.

The next edition will be held September 17-20, 2013 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The Urban Expositions management team is already working on programs and promotions to ensure the show’s continued growth. Urban will continue to invest a significant part of the show’s marketing budget to buy down hotel rates at quality properties to once again offer rates starting in the $9.99 range. In addition to maintaining the four-day date pattern that was added in 2011, Urban will also work to continue enhancing the show’s product depth in a number of key categories identified by the show’s retail advisory board.

Exhibitor/Attendee Information
For exhibitor information, contact Lisa Glosson, Urban Expositions, 1690 Roberts Blvd, NW, Suite 111, Kennesaw, GA 30144. Phone: 678.370.0334, e-mail: lglosson@urban-expo.com. For buyer information or to register, attendees can contact Briana Mackey at bmackey@urban-expo.com or Jhana Jordan at jjordan@urban-expo.com or call 800.318.2238 or visit www.lvsouvenirshow.com.