Aug 28, 2018

Locally crafted products, new gourmet offerings attract retailers to August 2018 Seattle Gift Show

Special spotlights on new vendors, local resources and the debut of Northwest Flavors, a new sector featuring locally-made gourmet products, and artisan handicrafts were among the new initiatives that drew retailers from throughout the Pacific Northwest region to the August 17-20, 2018 Seattle Gift Show at the Washington State Convention Center.

“We know buyers in the Pacific Northwest are coming to the Seattle Gift Show to find those unique, new designs that can help differentiate their business. We’ve continued to fine-tune the show’s selection of locally crafted products across all categories to infuse new and different designs that are custom-tailored to the Pacific Northwest retailer’s needs,” explains Lisa Glosson, vice president of gift & souvenir, Clarion UX.

Headlining the new offerings, Good Work(s) Makes a Difference® was voted Best New Exhibitor by attending retailers.  The company delighted attendees with its fashion-forward, uplifting and inspirational bracelets and accessories. With a company mission of showing love and serving their neighbors, Good Work(s) Makes a Difference contributes 25% of its net proceeds to help support after-school programs for 28,000 underprivileged students in the United States; build elementary schools in Kenya and Tanzania; and outreach food programs by sponsoring 200,000 salad bowls for The Dream Center in Los Angeles, CA.

“This was our first time to exhibit at the Seattle Gift Show, and we chose to exhibit here to build a territory in the Pacific Northwest to serve retailers in this region closer to their stores. We’re pleased with the summer Seattle Gift Show – we opened 20 new accounts with stores we typically don’t see at other markets,” said Mimi Teshome, sales representative, Good Works Makes a Difference.

Among the other highlights for the summer Seattle Gift Show was the debut of Northwest Flavors, a new section featuring locally made gourmet products, which complemented the show’s other artisian offerings found in popular sections.  Among them, Makers’ Market, Artisan Alley and the Urban Craft Uprising pavilion, which featured artisans and designers showcasing hand-styled crafts in all media and across all categories, including tabletop, ceramics, textiles, home décor, jewelry, apparel and more. In addition to the locally crafted products, retailers also enjoyed shopping new discoveries and popular products found in other sectors, including Gift, Personal Style, and Treasures to Go. 

Retailers were delighted with the brand new resources and expanding regional resources they found at the show.

“I’ve been in business for more than 30 years, and I enjoy coming to the Seattle Gift Show because it’s close to my store, and it’s where I do most of my shopping. To me, it’s the best show for sourcing local products, gifts and art that are made here in the Pacific Northwest,” said Rodger Fredrickson, Millstream, Bainbridge Island, WA.

“The Seattle Gift Show is wonderful for finding local suppliers,” adds Terri Nakamina, Alki Surf Shop, Seattle, WA.  “The quality of vendors is impressive and it’s easy to work. I enjoy being able to touch and feel the products, inspect the quality, size and color. Some of the products we’ve discovered here at the show have now become staples in our store.”

The next edition of the Seattle Gift Show will be held February 2-5, 2018 at the Washington State Convention Center.

For exhibitor information, contact Seattle Gift Show Director Joseph Lee at jlee@urban-expo.com  or  678.831.4576 or sales manager Worrell Thomas at 678.370.0351 or wthomas@urban-expo.com. For buyer information visit www.seattlegiftshow.com or call 800.318.2238.