Sep 30, 2013

September 2013 Las Vegas Souvenir & Resort Gift Show Attracts Industry’s Premier Retailers, Records 10% Attendance Increase

The September 17-20, 2013 Las Vegas Souvenir and Resort Gift Show recorded a 10% increase in attendance over the 2012 edition. Drawn by the show’s extensive, targeted product selection, show-sponsored hotel rates starting as low as $9.99, and a growing reputation as the nation’s largest souvenir and resort gift show, buyers from casinos, theme parks, museums, zoos, aquariums and premier tourist destinations flocked to the eighth annual edition at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

“The Las Vegas Souvenir & Resort Gift Show continues to solidify its position as the event for the industry. The word is out that this is the place to find the top lines and up-and-coming resources under one roof,” said Doug Miller, president, Urban Expositions. “We plan to build on this momentum as we look ahead to 2014 – continuing to fine-tune the show’s selection, services, networking opportunities and offering the lowest possible hotel rates to further enhance Las Vegas’ appeal as a great trade show travel destination. “

Bringing together more than 1100 booths, the show highlighted the newest designs and introductions from top-name brands and innovative newcomers in destination, resort and tourist merchandise, souvenirs, t-shirts, beach items, coastal and nautical, lake, mountain and lodge, ski-themed products, logo products, shell items, giftware, jewelry/fashion accessories, toys/games and more.

The vast and versatile selection received rave reviews from attending retailers from the Las Vegas area and around the nation.

“This was a fantastic show that provided me with access to information and products for my shop that other shows do not offer. I’m already looking forward to next year,” said Christa Simpson, manager of retail sales, Discover Children’s Museum, Las Vegas , NV.

“This is everything you need in a souvenir show,” added John Fasino, Western National Parks Association, Tucson, AZ.

“This was a great show for us. We worked with our regular vendors, met a lot of wonderful new ones and placed nice orders for 2014. With our new Africa exhibit opening in May 2014 were excited to find so many great items for this newest gift shop,” said Lisa Jones, Columbus Zoo, Columbus, OH.

Exhibitor reports of brisk order-writing and new business added to the buzz on the show floor.

“Our sales results were night and day from 2012 to 2013,” said Mike Mallon, Silver Streak. In addition to a 100 percent increase in sales, we wrote ten times more business on the third day of the show over last year!”

“This show just gets better and better every year,” added Marc St. Pierre, Cool Jewels.

“From a vendor standpoint, everyone you need to see is here. It’s just a great show,” noted Bruce Miller, Karol Western.

Further strengthening the growing buyer base, Urban Expositions continued to work with leading industry associations like the National Association of Retail Buyers (NARB), the Zoo & Aquarium Buyers Group (ZAG), Living Legends and others to host seminars, hospitality and networking events for their members and associates during the show.

The next edition will be held Wednesday,September 17- Saturday, September 20, 2014 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The Urban Expositions management team is already working on programs and promotions to ensure the show’s continued growth. Urban will continue to invest a significant part of the show’s marketing budget to buy down hotel rates at quality properties to once again offer rates starting in the $9.99 range.

Exhibitor/Attendee Information

For exhibitor information, contact Lisa Glosson, Urban Expositions, 1690 Roberts Blvd, NW, Suite 111, Kennesaw, GA 30144. Phone: 678.370.0334, e-mail: lglosson@urban-expo.com. For buyer information or to register, attendees can contact Briana Mackey at bmackey@urban-expo.com or Jhana Jordan at jjordan@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 29 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