Gift Shop Plus Summer 2022

See You Soon By Julie McCallum

Some call it the dog days of summer like it’s a bad thing. In my world, dog days are EVERY day, but the ones in summertime are that much sweeter when there is green grass to roll in and lakes to jump in. Maybe it’s just because I currently have four dogs, or maybe it’s because I love being outside, but summertime is my favorite time of the year.

Summer in the gift industry means planning for the holidays and traveling to trade shows. Networking and meeting face-to-face has been tough these last few years and we’ve all had to re-tool to keep business running. As the world slowly opens back up, we are happy to gather again, this time as we honor past and present Gift + Stationery 40 Under 40 honorees at a live, in-person event during the Las Vegas Market!

This exciting opportunity to meet and celebrate will take place on Sunday, July 24 at 4:30 p.m. in The Expo at Las Vegas Market. Everyone is invited and encouraged to make a $40 donation to Gift For Life’s campaign to support World Central Kitchen for hunger relief here and abroad.

Gift Shop Plus and Stationery Trends will host its second Gift + Stationery Week Aug. 9-11, featuring webcasts discussing diversity in the industry, trend forecasting, and the latest e-commerce options for both makers and buyers. The multi-day industry event is interactive and designed to provide the latest insight and trends as we recognize the next generation of leaders.

In this issue, we are proud to shine a light on women-owned businesses, along with other highlights, which include the Trend Report Style Guide; the Apparel & Accessories Lookbook; the cozy comfort of pillows and throws; and summer introductions. And don’t miss the museums&MORE section that focuses on connecting with guests at museums and cultural institutions.

Wherever life takes you – and your dogs – I hope you enjoy the long, warm days of summer. I look forward to seeing many of you – hopefully in person.

Julie McCallum