San Francisco International Gift Fair Kicks Off Winter 2011 Gift Show Season With New Resources, New Business Opportunities & New January Dates
Atlanta, GA – Now the largest gift show in California, the San Francisco International Gift Fair (SFIGF) is also the first show of 2011. Kicking off the 2011 gift show season, the SFIGF returns January 8-11, 2011 to Moscone Center with an expanded selection featuring top name manufacturers, innovative newcomers and cutting edge designs. Complementing the growing selection, full roster of buyer amenities will bring retailers a comprehensive and cost-effective buying experience.
“As it continues to grow, the San Francisco International Gift Fair is a great place to start your buying year. As the first show of the New Year, the early January dates provide a great opportunity for retailers to come to one of America’s most exciting and eclectic cities to get an early jump on sourcing the newest products and design trends and for getting product on the shelves,” says Doug Miller, President, Urban Expositions. “Once again, we’re making it even easier on retailers’ travel budgets by buying down rates on our already discounted hotel properties, offering parking reimbursements and a host of other time and money-saving features.”
Among the highlights for the January 2011 San Francisco International Gift Fair:
HOTEL RATES STARTING AS LOW AS $79
Urban Expositions will be buying down the rates on the show’s already discounted hotel rates to be able to offer buyers rates starting as low as $79 at hotels conveniently located near Moscone Center. Rooms at these rates are limited and buyers are encouraged to book early to take advantage of the rates. For details, visit www.sfigf.com or call the SFIGF travel agency, Connections, at 1.800.262.9947 or www.giftshowhotels.com.
TRENDS SHOWCASE
California’s biggest gift show is the style-setting marketplace where the hottest design trends and movements start and evolve. Retailers can explore more resources than ever before from 600 companies representing more than 3,000 plus top name manufacturers and innovative newcomers. To maximize buying schedules, all exhibitors will be featured in seven easy-to-work categories on the show floor, including: Design, General Gift, Handcrafted, Home & Garden, Museum, Treasures to Go (cash and carry) and Vintage Collection.
GREEN BY DESIGN
SFIGF continues to take the lead as the largest green gift show on the West Coast. For the January show, more than 25 companies have been identified with products or items that made from green, sustainable, biodegradable, organic, recycled/reclaimed materials as well as fair trade gifts and handicrafts.
WORLD STYLE
The San Francisco International Gift Fair is a true world market. In January, retailers will see an expanded selection of ethnic styles, artisan designs, home accents, jewelry and fair trade products from around the world. Interspersed among the show’s order-writing and immediate delivery areas, these global resources are a true magnet for retailers seeking original designs with an international flavor.
AFRICA HANDCRAFTED PAVILION AT SFIGF
Designed to help African businesses market and sell their products globally, the new Origin Africa Handcrafted Pavilion at the San Francisco International Gift Fair will highlight a group of East African artisans and a variety of handicrafts ranging from ethnic styles and home accents to jewelry and fair trade products. Organized by the East Africa Trade and Competitiveness Program (COMPETE), a USAID funded project, the handcrafted pavilion is part of a major U.S effort to promote trade in Africa through exports to international markets.
WINE COUNTRY
With San Francisco’s close proximity to California’s World Famous Wine Country, the SFIGF features a number of companies showcasing a variety of wine accessories and gifts as well as at-home wine tasting party products that cater directly to wine enthusiasts.
THE LAUNCHING PAD
The Launching Pad is the new product preview area that offers buyers a one-stop resource for discovering some of the wonderful lines on the show floor. This display area is also packed with quick merchandising ideas that buyers can implement in their stores.
Exhibitor Information
For exhibitor information about the San Francisco International Gift Fair, contact Shelley Fulghum, show director, Urban Expositions, 1690 Roberts Blvd. NW, Suite 111, Kennesaw, GA 30144. Phone: 678.370.0337 or 1.800.318.2238 ext. 337; Fax: 678.285.7469; E-mail: sfulghum@urban-expo.com.
ABOUT URBAN EXPOSITIONS
Urban Expositions is a leading producer of trade events for the gift, souvenir and resort merchandise industries. For more information, visit www.urban-expo.com
