Apr 1, 2014

Get Swept Up

Returning to the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL, the 2nd edition of the Windy City Gift Show will bring a significantly expanded product selection together for attending retailers from throughout the Midwest region. Fueled by recent changes in the Chicago marketplace, as well as overwhelmingly positive feedback from buyers and exhibitors alike at the debut edition in January, the summer temporary show roster is rapidly filling up with the region’s leading sales representatives, top national manufacturers and other new resources, including Fair Trade and American handmade designs. Further strengthening the selection, a full line-up of buyer services, including a new Retail Marketing Bootcamp series, will also join the growing show offerings.

“The January edition certainly laid a strong foundation – giving the industry a glimpse into the tremendous promise the Rosemont location offers as a cost-effective, convenient trade show location for the region’s retailers,” explains Doug Miller, president, Urban Expositions, producers of the WCGS. “From the beginning, our goal has been to fill a void in the marketplace. The recent decision by the Merchandise Mart to suspend their temporary section further strengthens the Windy City Gift Show’s role in bringing together the best possible selection of products and services for the region’s vibrant retail base.”

Summer 2014 Market Highlights Include:

EXPANDED SELECTION

The summer edition is anticipated to be 20% larger than the January debut. Featured in 3 distinct categories, Gifts, Handcrafted and Live In Style, the exhibitor base will include leading manufacturers and top sales agencies, including: and!sales, Bearington Collection, Blossom Bucket, Bright Ideas, Charlie & Me, Colonial Tin Works, Delton Products, DM Merchandising, Dorfman Pacific Co., Ethel & Myrtle, For the Journey, Habersham Candle Company, Haefling & Haefling, L.M. Marketing, Marvel Gifts and Home, Melissa & Doug, Oak Street Wholesale, Ohio Wholesale, Southbend Chocolates, Total Toys, Wimpole Street, and WT Collection.

URBAN RETAIL MARKETING BOOTCAMP

Urban Expositions is teaming up with SnapRetail to offer Windy City Gift Show attendees an exclusive series of educational seminars covering the latest social media and email marketing techniques. These programs will join others, offering attendees an unrivaled opportunity to pick-up new ideas they can take back to their stores. Programs include:

Saturday, July 26

Urban Retail Marketing Bootcamp : Drive Store Traffic with Social Media

Presented By: SnapRetail | 10:00 – 11:00 am

The 5 Key Elements of a Great Retail Display

Presented By: Patti Biro, principal, Patti Biro and Associates | 2:00 – 3:00 pm

Your Store Calendar – A Year Of Retail Events

Presented By: Becky Tyre, Senior Trends Editor, GIFT SHOP Magazine | 3:30 – 4:30 pm

Sunday, July 27

Urban Retail Marketing Bootcamp: Should You Pin?

Presented By: SnapRetail | 10:00 – 11:00 am

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Retailers

Presented By: Patti Biro, principal, Patti Biro and Associates | 2:00 – 3:00 pm

Monday, July 28

Urban Retail Marekting Bootcamp : Making the Most of Email Marketing

Presented By: SnapRetail | 10:00 – 11:00 am

SnapRetail Customer Forum | 11:00 am – 12:00 pm

FREE PARKING AT THE ROSEMONT PARKING GARAGE FOR PRE-REGISTERED BUYERS

Urban Expositions is offering free parking to buyers who pre-register and park at the Rosemont Parking Garage (located across the street from the Convention Center). When they pre-register by July 13, 2014, buyers will receive a special parking rebate coupon along with their badges in the pre-registration packet. To receive the parking rebate, buyers need to present this coupon at the parking rebate desk on the show floor, along with the Rosemont Parking Garage receipt, buyer badge and photo ID.

GOODY BAG GIVEAWAY

The first 150 stores to arrive at the show on Saturday, July 26 and Sunday, July 27 will receive a special tote bag and a list of exhibitors to visit to receive a free gift!

SHOW YOUR BADGE PROMOTION

The Rosemont Convention Bureau and the Windy City Gift Show are teaming up to offer buyers great specials at several Rosemont area restaurants. Buyers will need to simply present their Windy City Gift Show badge to receive savings at participating restaurants. For a complete list of participating restaurants, visit the events page of the Windy City Gift Show website-www.windycitygiftshow.com.

SHOW SPECIALS A number of exhibitors will be offering various savings on their lines and other discounts during all four days of the show. Buyers can pick up a complete listing of participating companies and special offers on show site.

SPOTLIGHT ON FAIR TRADE, ECO-FRIENDLY & HANDMADE PRODUCTS

Fair Trade, eco-friendly and handmade products are key growth areas for the Windy City Gift Show. To help retailers quickly locate the many resources they’ll find at the show, special Fair Trade, Green By Design and Handcrafted Resource Lists will be featured on the show’s website and in the official show directory.

DISCOUNTED HOTEL RATES STARTING AS LOW AS $82* FOR BUYERS

Urban Expositions is buying down the rates of Rosemont’s already discounted hotel rooms to offer retailers the best possible room rates for the summer 2014 show. To review rates and make a reservation, visit the travel section of the Windy City Gift Show website-www.windycitygiftshow.com

*Rates subject to change and offered exclusively for retail buyers. Not available to exhibitors regardless of retail affiliation. Valid up to two nights between 7/25-7/28/2014

EXHIBITOR/ATTENDEE INFORMATION

Visit www.windycitygiftshow.com for the latest show news. For more information on exhibiting, contact Stacey Barrett at 678.831.4579 or sbarrett@urban-expo.com. For information on attending, contact John Motondo at 800.318.2238 or jmontondo@urban-expo.com.

ABOUT URBAN EXPOSITIONS

Urban Expositions is the largest gift, airport and souvenir trade show organizer in the U.S., hosting a total of 33 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.