Sep 15, 2011

Summer Denver Gift Show Records an Increase in Retail Store Attendance

The recent semi-annual Denver Merchandise Mart Gift, Home, Jewelry & Resort Show, held August 25-30, posted a slight upswing in retail store attendance compared to a year ago. “Although the increase was small (3%), the swing was in the right direction, and we are pleased with that,” said Carol Hash, Gift Show Director. For the third year, the Show was held in conjunction with the Mart’s Denver Apparel & Accessory Market offering the attending store buyers a much applauded cross-over buying experience. And new this August, an added bonus was the Floral Association of the Rockies Expo. The one-day Expo on Saturday of the Show featured 25 wholesale floral and supply exhibitors. Events included a trend presentation by one of the floral industry’s leading design experts, a live, on stage “Iron Fist” Floral Design Challenge, bridal bouquet design contest and an awards reception.

Other highlights of the recent Show were timely educational sessions presented by Patricia Norins, Editor of Gift Shop Magazine, speaking on Retail Trends and Guerilla Marketing and Lynn Switanowski, founder of Creative Business Consulting Group, speaking on Social Media and the Google Cloud. Ellen Zibell, owner of the Perennial Gardener, Fort Collins, Colorado, was the first recipient of the semi-annual “Summit Award” for outstanding, continued support of Denver Gift, Home and Jewelry Association members and the many exhibitors of the Denver Gift Shows. In addition, $3,000 and $1,500 in cash drawing giveaways from the Denver Merchandise Mart and the Denver Gift, Home & Jewelry Association, respectively, was given out during the Show to 66 lucky buyers. Buyers also were rewarded for their attendance with complimentary bottled water, refreshments in the buyers lounge, cookies, popcorn, margaritas and two evenings of entertainment(including a fashion show) with complimentary buffets and drinks.

The “red carpet” rolls out again for buyers in 2012. Dates next year for the Denver Gift Show are February 23—28 (2/25—28 for temporary exhibits) and August 23—28 (8/25—27 for temporary exhibitors). The Denver Apparel and Accessory Market will join the Gift Show on August 24—27.

The Denver Gift, Home, Jewelry and Resort Show features over 400 exhibitors representing more than 4000 lines and is the number one destination in the country for lodge, rustic, western and Native American products. The Denver Gift Show is also a major market for the souvenir and resort industry and offers an unsurpassed variety of products, featuring regional product lines not available at other major markets as well as gourmet, decorative accessories, collectibles, stationery, home furnishings, jewelry, resort apparel, toys and many traditional upscale gifts and handcrafts.