Industry Veteran Mackey To Join Las Vegas Show Buyer Relations Team
Atlanta, GA — In response to the dramatic growth of its Las Vegas Souvenir & Resort Gift Show, Urban Expositions has expanded its buyer relations team for the September 22-24,2010 edition with the appointment of Briana Mackey as Buyer Relations Representative.
Mackey will be working in tandem with Urban Expositions Buyer Relations Directors Cece Lee and Jhana Jordan to continue building the buyer base for the annual event at the Las Vegas Convention Center. In her new role, Mackey, who is based in Las Vegas, will be making personal visits to retail stores in the Clark County area, and throughout the Western region, to secure their attendance. These in-store appointments will reinforce the full scale marketing efforts Urban has launched for the show, including the telemarketing and VIP buyer programs led by Lee and Jordan, $15.99 hotel rates for buyers at the newly renovated Tropicana Hotel, direct mail, advertising, social media campaigns and other initiatives.
“Based on the feedback we’re getting from buyers and the record number of industry leaders who have already reserved booth space for our 2010 edition, it’s clear that this show has become the national event for the souvenir and resort gift industry,” explains Doug Miller, President, Urban Expositions. “We attribute a large part of this growth and success to our buyer relations efforts. Cece Lee, who has been with the show from day one, has played a vital role in the show’s steady attendance increases and Jhana Jordan, who joined our team last year, has helped us identify and attract top VIPs from the Western US. Briana’s extensive industry experience and keen understanding of our target buyer audience make her the perfect addition to the team and the ideal candidate to help take the show to the next level.”
Mackey has nearly 20 years of event, marketing and business experience both in the US and internationally. Part of the original executive team that oversaw the grand opening and initial operation of the World Market Center/ Las Vegas, Mackey would go on to work with dmg world media as the Commercial Director for Australian business and consumer events. A Certified Exhibition and Events Manager, Mackey launched her trade show career as a buyer relations representative, and then director of marketing, for the L.A. Mart in Los Angeles. After honing her skills in marketing and events, Mackey launched her own company, Trade Show Temps, specializing in staffing and planning for conventions throughout the western United States. From there, she joined the team of the Columbus Marketplace, helping develop and promote events with partners such as Ohio State University.
“Joining the team at Urban and getting back to my origins as a buyer relations representative is a huge thrill for me,” Mackey said. “I truly enjoy meeting with retailers and hope to contribute to the growth of the National Souvenir Show by marketing directly to the show’s customers.”
Now entering its fifth year, the 2010 edition of the Las Vegas Souvenir & Resort Gift Show will be the largest to date, with a 50% increase in the booth space. The show will feature a comprehensive selection of souvenir and resort products, including 450-plus companies showcasing destination, resort and tourist merchandise, souvenirs, t-shirts, beach items, coastal and nautical, lake, mountain and lodge, ski-themed products, destination, logo products, shell items, giftware, jewelry/fashion accessories, toys/games and more.
The Las Vegas Souvenir & Resort Gift Show attracts leading retailers from across the nation and throughout the Western region, including souvenir shops, zoos, aquariums, casinos, resort and hotel gift shops, coastal resort gift shops, lake, mountain and lodge gift shops, ski shops, card and specialty stores, mail order catalogs, beach shops, surf shops, museum and institutional gift shops, fashion accessory stores, theme parks and destination areas.
For more information, visit www.lvsouvenirshow.com.
ABOUT URBAN EXPOSITIONS
Urban Expositions is a leading producer of gift, souvenir and resort merchandise trade shows. With a successful track record bringing buyers and sellers together in cost-effective and convenient settings, the company’s growing show roster includes the Philadelphia Gift Show, San Francisco International Gift Fair, Seattle Gift Show, Grand Strand Gift & Resort Merchandise Show, Boston Gift Show, Ft Lauderdale Gift Show, Galveston Gift & Resort Merchandise Show, Emerald Coast Gift & Resort Show, Las Vegas Souvenir & Resort Gift Show, Market Place Show, Birdwatch America, Ocean City Resort Gift Expo, Orlando Gift Show, and invitation-only Gathering event. For more information, visit www.urban-expo.com.
