Apr 27, 2008

The Seattle Gift Show Pre-Show Report

Defying the typical market experience, The Seattle Gift Show returns August 16-19, 2008, to offer more than 10,000 buyers the latest products from acclaimed artisans of the Pacific Northwest, new business strategies to increase your profit margin and a wine tasting featuring legendary vineyards of the region. Joining forces with the Pacific Market Center, the cooperative effort will feature more than 800 exhibitors and 10,000 product lines throughout seven days, in one of the world’s most spectacular cities.

THE MARKET
Eleven distinct and easy-to-shop divisions will create a comprehensive shopping experience at The Seattle Gift Show, including Cash & Carry, Food Focus, Gift & Collectibles, Handmade, Home & Garden, Jewelry Vault, Northwest Directions, Personal Style, Stationery & Trend, Village Arts and Vintage Collection. With its broad spectrum of product categories and partnership with the Pacific Market Center, the Seattle Gift Show remains the largest gift, home and lifestyle event in the Northwest.

“The Seattle Gift Show, with its wide array of product offerings, quality educational programming and networking opportunities, is truly a can’t miss opportunity. The diversity of product lines and a unique buyer base – including significant participation by Alaskan and Canadian retailers – separates this Show from the rest.” – Jenay Root, Show Manager

MARKET HIGHLIGHTS
Seattle Market Week
The Seattle Gift Show has partnered with the Pacific Market Center to further expand product offerings for buyers. A marketplace of sophistication, inspiration and style, the Pacific Market Center is a permanent showroom of top suppliers from throughout the United States and across the world, showcasing trend-driven product lines in 65 categories. Seattle Market Week kicks off on Wednesday, August 13, with the opening of the Pacific Market Center, followed by the opening of temporary exhibits at The Seattle Gift Show from Saturday, August 16 through Tuesday, August 19. The Pacific Market Center will remain open throughout Show days. Additional information is available online, at www.pacificmarketcenter.com.

PROGRAMS
Seminars
A series of compelling seminars will add a professional development component to the market experience, as industry experts and best-selling authors educate retailers on such topics as visual merchandising, staffing and creating a productive work environment, developing a competitive website, functional store design and in-store promotions. For the first time, seminars will be offered on a complimentary basis to all Show attendees. To maximize buyers’ time at the market, seminars will now be held on the Show floor on a staging area in South Hall. Additional information is available online, at www.seattlegift.com.

Demonstration Theater
A series of 60-minute demonstrations – presented by exhibitors and facilitated by motivational speaker and author Sue Kirby – will educate retailers about increasing profit through the introduction of new product lines found on the Show floor. Demonstrations are free of charge and will take place on the Seminar Stage. A complete schedule of demonstrations is available online, at www.seattlegift.com.

SPECIAL EVENTS
The Seattle Gift Show will further enhance the market experience with special events that will extend networking into the evening hours. Events are free of charge. Additional information is available online, at www.seattlegift.com.

Buyer & Exhibitor Reception
Saturday, August 16, 6:00 – 8:00 pm
Washington State Convention & Trade Center, 4th Floor Terrace
Get into the summer spirit while networking with industry peers and enjoying complimentary food and live entertainment.

Wine Tasting
Benefiting Gift For Life
Sunday, August 17, 6:30 – 8:30 pm
Crowne Plaza (walking distance from Washington State Convention & Trade Center)
Join friends and colleagues for a relaxing evening of hors d’oeuvres and wine, featuring some of the region’s most renowned vineyards. While there is no charge for this event, all proceeds from wine sales will benefit Gift For Life, the gift industry’s charitable organization benefiting AIDS research.

BUYER AMENITIES
Shuttle Bus Service
Complimentary shuttle bus service will be provided during Show hours between the Washington State Convention & Trade Center, the Pacific Market Center and designated hotels, from Saturday, August 16, through Tuesday, August 19. The complete shuttle schedule will be available at all venues, as well as online, at www.seattlegift.com.

MARKETS REPRESENTED
Gift and collectibles, stationery, personal and fashion accessories, fine and fashion jewelry, specialty food items, decorative accessories and home accents, handcrafted and artisan merchandise, pet accessories, spa accessories, souvenir and resort items, children’s merchandise, garden accessories and imports.

PROFILE OF ATTENDEES
Specialty and department stores, gift shops, jewelry stores, interior designers, importers and distributors of home products, mail order catalogs, museums and galleries, stationery stores, craft retailers, garden centers and book stores.

WEBSITE
SeattleGift.com

EXHIBITOR INFORMATION
Jenay Root, show manager
GLM, a dmg world media business
Telephone: (213) 430-2311
E-mail: jenay_root@glmshows.com

ATTENDEE INFORMATION
GLM Customer Relations
(800) 272-SHOW (7469) or (603) 665-7524

TRAVEL INFORMATION
Group Travel Associates
(800) 821-0339 or (805) 496-1251
www.gtameetings.com

DATES AND HOURS:
Saturday, August 16 9:00am – 6:00pm
Sunday, August 17 9:00am – 6:00pm
Monday, August 18 9:00am – 6:00pm
Tuesday, August 19 9:00am – 4:00pm.