Jan 15, 2018

January 2018 Philadelphia Gift Show attracts region’s retailers

As the first gift trade show of the year, the January 5-8, 2018 edition of the Philadelphia Gift Show welcomed retailers from throughout the Mid-Atlantic and Tri-State areas who came to see the show’s newest features, including Artisan Alley, an expanded Makers Market showcase, 100+  first-time exhibitors and the newest introductions for Spring and beyond.  In addition, the Philadelphia Gift Show once again collocated with the Philadelphia National Candy Gift & Gourmet Show, giving retailers even more to explore.

Adding to the show excitement, retailers had the chance to vote for a number of awards, including Best New Product, which was awarded to VIM & VIGR® (pictured left) designer compression socks with health benefits from Missoula, MT.

In addition, Asheville-based artist Kelsey Schissel of Plays in Mud Pottery (pictured right) received the Best Made in Americaproduct award at the winter edition.  Schissel is the creator of the delightful “Adventuring Owls” and unique and distinctive handmade pottery designs, which include vases, mugs, tea sets, yarn bowls and other vessels.

“The Philadelphia Gift Show continues to be the market for northeastern retailers to shop a well-defined selection of top lines, best-selling brands and meet with their regional reps,” says Sonya Lowe, show director, Philadelphia Gift Show. “Having all of these resources under one roof is a tremendous benefit for our buyers.  It gives them a cost-effective, convenient opportunity to spend time building relationships with vendors, scouting new products and completing their buying needs just in time for spring.”The winter 2018 edition once again co-located with the Retail Confectioners Association of Philadelphia’s (RCAP) 137th Philadelphia National Candy Gift & Gourmet Show giving retailers throughout the northeast region the opportunity to take advance of cross-over buying opportunities afforded by the show’s selection of candy, chocolate, gourmet specialties and other ideal impulse items.

In addition to the show’s co-location, the Philadelphia Gift Show also debuted its new Artisan Alley section, connecting emerging, never-before-seen artisans with retailers seeking regional specialties and one-of-a-kind handmade designs. The new Artisan Alley section expanded the Philadelphia Gift Show’s popular Makers’ Market handmade offerings with the addition of 20-plus talented artists featured in a carefully curated showcase.

 “I was particularly impressed with the new artists and the handmade and the one-of-a-kind items I found in Makers’ Market and Artisan Alley,” said Suzanne Sopko, Skytop Lodge, Skytop, PA.  “The Philadelphia Gift Show is always a good show for me.”

The January edition also welcomed 100 first-time exhibitors, who joined hundreds of leading manufacturers, regional sales representatives and top lines in every product category ranging from giftware, souvenir and artisan designs to floral resources, home accents, seasonal items and more.

“I’ve been coming to the Philadelphia Gift Show for many years, and I love all of the new products I found in January, said Lois Warden, Carroll Hospital Gift Shop, Westminster, MD. “ I spent a good bit of my time shopping for new items, and I placed orders with several new vendors at the show.”

“I found several vendors that were suitable for our Zoo & Aquarium Group (ZAG) buyers and sponsors at the show,” added Steve Fairchild, Sedgwick County Zoo, Wichita, Kansas. “This semi-annual show’s winter and summer show dates are perfectly timed to help our zoo and aquarium merchandise buyers with their spring season and for filling inventory gaps and finding new vendors for fall.”

The Philadelphia Gift Show also continued many of its convenient onsite buyer services, including free pop-up programs, seminars and demonstrations held in the Discovery Zone on Saturday and Sunday; daily retailer prize giveaways from exhibitors, $100 merchandise credit giveaways, daily popcorn socials, and the “stay for the last day” promotion inviting buyers to shop the last day of the show and enjoy free lunch and show specials offered by exhibitors on Monday, January 8.

The Philadelphia Gift Show will return July 22-25, 2018 to the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center. For exhibitor information, contact Sonya Lowe, Urban Expositions, 1690 Roberts Blvd NW, Suite 111, Kennesaw, GA 30144. Phone: 678-370-0350, email: slowe@urban-expo.com . For buyer information or to register, attendees can call 800.318.2238 or visit www.philadelphiagiftshow.com