May 16, 2013

Nation’s Largest Souvenir & Resort Gift Show Expands for 2013 Edition

Bringing together more than 1100 booths filled with the newest lines from the industry’s top companies, the Las Vegas Souvenir & Resort Gift Show is returning to the Las Vegas Convention Center in North Hall 2-4 from September 17-20, 2013. As the nation’s largest souvenir show, the 2013 edition will provide retailers with a wide selection of categories to shop, ranging from destination, resort and tourist merchandise, to apparel, giftware, jewelry/fashion and more.

“If you’re in the souvenir and resort business, you just can’t miss this show,” said Doug Miller, president, Urban Expositions. “From the industry’s premier lines to some truly innovative start-ups, we’re bringing it all together – under one roof. Whether you’re looking for custom and name drop designs, impulse items, eco-friendly and USA-made resources or your next best-seller, it’s all here. Add in hotel rates starting as low as $9.99 in one of the country’s best convention cities, and it’s easy to see why this show has quickly become an industry favorite.”

As its reputation for its selection and services continues to grow, the Las Vegas Souvenir & Resort Gift Show attracts retailers around the country, including souvenir shops, national parks, beach shops, surf shops, cruise lines, hotels, resorts & casinos, gift, card and specialty stores, airport gift shops, amusement parks, destination areas, home furnishings and decorative accessory stores, mail order catalogs, department and chain stores, floral gift stores and book stores.

“This was a surprisingly strong show. I found a number of brand new vendors to work with and that’s what a show is all about,” says Cliff Harrison, St. Louis Art Museum, St. Louis, MO. “I’m usually happy to find one new resource at a show, but I found three at this event. I was very impressed.”

“This is the only show that can get us to leave our stores during our busy season. This is simply the show you must attend,” says Dave Coates, Skagway Mining, Ketchikan, AK.

Show highlights include

Expanded Selection – This year, retailers will be able to explore nearly 1200 booths showcasing thousands of lines of souvenir and resort product in a wide range of categories, including destination, resort and tourist merchandise, souvenirs, green products, T-shirts, beach items, Made in America, coastal and nautical, lake, mountain and lodge, ski-themed products, destination, logo products, shell items, giftware, jewelry/fashion accessories, toys/games and more.

$9.99 Hotel Rates for Retail Buyers: To help retailers keep those travel costs down, Urban Expositions has bought down already discounted rates to offer hotel rooms for retail buyers starting as low as $9.99 at the Riviera Hotel and Casino. These rates are available only to retail buyers who pre-register and attend the show. Show management has also negotiated low rates at other Las Vegas properties as well for buyers and exhibitors. For rates and to make a reservation, visit www.lvsouvenirshow.com or call 1-855-246-URBAN.

Goody Bag Giveaways: The first 100 buyers to arrive at the show on Wednesday, September 18 and Thursday, September 19 will receive a special shopping bag filled with free gifts from many of the show’s exhibitors.

National Association of Retail Buyers (NARB) To Host Free Seminars: NARB will once again host an educational program during the show:

NARB SEMINAR SERIES: MAKING RETAIL MAGIC!
Wednesday, September 18, 2013 | 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Speaker: Karen Tryman, director of retail for DNC/Yellowstone General Stores, member of Board of Directors, NARB
Join Karen Tryman as she provides a variety of successful themes, programs and new approaches to keep your store fresh, visual presentation sizzling and capture new shoppers in creative and unexpected ways.

NARB-Hosted Retail Scavenger Hunt: NARB will host a retail scavenger hunt during the show inviting buyers to visit association member booths to a chance to win great prizes. Details of the hunt will be posted on the show website soon.

Living Legends Social: Join us after the show closes on Tuesday evening, September 17, as the Living Legends Association honors one of its own. The Living Legends Association seeks to honor those whose contributions have helped the souvenir industry take shape. Its membership is comprised of souvenir reps, wholesalers, manufacturers and designers. Working together, members strive to improve and better the industry while keeping it vital and having fun along the way. Look for more information coming soon.

Zoo & Aquarium Buyers Group (ZAG) Networking Events: ZAG will host a variety of ne tworking events for its members, including hosting a hospitality suite, breakfast networking sessions, mini-giveaways and a special reception on Wednesday evening, September 18, 2013. Look for more details coming soon.

Show Hours:
Tuesday, September 17 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday, September 18 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Thursday, September 19 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Friday, September 20 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Location:
Las Vegas Convention Center
3150 Paradise Road
Las Vegas, NV 89109

Exhibitor/Attendee Information
For exhibitor information, contact Lisa Glosson, Urban Expositions, 1690 Roberts Blvd, NW, Suite 111, Kennesaw, GA 30144. Phone -678.285.3976, fax – 678.285.7469, email: lglosson@urban-expo.com. For show information or to pre-register, attendees contact Briana Mackey at bmackey@urban-expo.com or call 800.318.2238 or visit www.lvsouvenirshow.com.

ABOUT URBAN EXPOSITIONS
Urban Expositions is the largest gift, airport and souvenir trade show organizer in the U.S., hosting a total of 28 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.