Dec 13, 2011

Saturday Opening, Expanded Selection, Bountiful Buyer Service Headline March 2012 Boston 2012 Gift Show

As New England’s largest, most important gift show, the Boston Gift Show returns March 24-27, 2012 with a Saturday opening, expanded selection and full roster of programs and services for buyers. Shifting from its recent Sunday opening pattern to a Saturday start at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center, the 2012 edition offers New England retailers an opportunity to explore the best mix of products and services in a convenient, relaxed and cost effective environment.

Among the highlights for the March 2012 Boston Gift Show:

Expanded Selection – The well-established Boston Gift Show already offers a wide and diverse product selection conveniently categorized into the Gifts, Etc., Souvenir Source, Handcrafted, and Made in New England sections. Among the initiatives for March 2012, Urban Expositions is working to expand the show’s overall selection, with special emphasis on the Souvenir and Made in New England sections.

Goody Bag Giveaway – The first 100 buyers to arrive at the show on Saturday, March 24 and Sunday, March 25 will receive a special tote bag filled with product from many of the show’s exhibitors.

Free Freight Monday – Many exhibitors will be offering free freight on orders placed on Monday, March 26 only. A complete list of exhibitors will be available at the show registration desk.

Parking Rebate – Boston Gift Show buyers will be reimbursed up to $5 for their parking fee. Buyers will need to present their show badge and parking receipt at the special rebate desk located inside the exhibit hall.

Free Buyer Services and Amenities – Boston Gift Show buyers are invited to enjoy free continental breakfast and complimentary refreshments each day in the buyers’ lounge. In addition, they will also benefit from an expanded buyer educational program featuring a number of free seminars throughout the show. Programs will include:

SATURDAY, MARCH 24, 2012
Guerilla Marketing: Free and Low-Cost Marketing Ideas to Drive More Traffic & Sales 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Presented by: Patricia Norins, Publisher, Gift Shop Magazine and Green Retailer Inexpensive and unbelievably effective grass roots marketing strategies to grow traffic and sales. In this fast-paced session, Norins will share 50+ marketing ideas to help you build stronger relationships with your customers, increase store traffic and sell more products.

SUNDAY, MARCH 25, 2012
Making More Money: Managing For Exceptional Cash Flow
11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Presented by: Ted Hurlbut, retail consultant and principal, Hurlbut & Associates In the world we now live in, financial success requires a commitment to proven retail business fundamentals, a commitment to operational discipline, and a heightened attention to detail. This means that every retail owner and senior manager needs to become more skilled in managing their businesses for consistent positive cash flow. Join retail consultant Ted Hurlbut of Hurlbut & Associates as he outlines how core retail business fundamentals can be integrated and managed to promote consistent positive cash flow.

Driving Growth: Rebuilding Sales in a Low Growth Environment
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Presented by: Ted Hurlbut, retail consultant and principal, Hurlbut & Associates Having survived the recession, many retailers are finding that the strategies they’ve used in the past to drive sales increases no longer work like they once did. This low-growth environment requires an approach that draws on the unique and distinctive characteristics of each retailer. Join retail consultant Ted Hurlbut of Hurlbut & Associates to learn how to leverage proven retail strategies to get more customers into your store, and get them to spend more each time they visit.

SHOW HOURS
Saturday, March 24: 9:30 am – 5:30 pm
Sunday, March 25: 9:30 am – 5:30 pm
Monday, March 26: 9:30 am – 5:30 pm
Tuesday, March 27: 9:30 am – 2:00 pm

HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS
For discount hotel accommodations, buyers and exhibitors should call Connections at
1.800.262.9974 or visit www.giftshowhotels.com.

BUYER INFORMATION
For attendee information about the Boston Gift Show contact Cece Lee, Buyer Relations Representative, Urban Expositions, 1690 Roberts Blvd., NW, Suite 111, Kennesaw, GA 30144. Phone: 678.370.0332 Fax: 678.285.7469; E-mail: clee@urban-expo.com

EXHIBITOR INFORMATION
For exhibitor information about the Boston Gift Show, contact Erica Davidson, show director, Urban Expositions, 1690 Roberts Blvd. NW, Suite 111, Kennesaw, GA 30144. Phone: 678.370.0347; Fax: 678.285.7469; E-mail: edavidson@urban-expo.com or Russ Turner at 678.370.0350 or rturner@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