Jan 27, 2015

The Philadelphia Gift Show Celebrates 20th Edition With 13% Attendance Increase, New Initiatives, Award Presentations

Celebrating its 20th edition, the January 17-20, 2015 Philadelphia Gift Show at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center recorded a 13% increase in attendance over the 2014 winter show. New product and service initiatives, including the rebranded Makers’ Market, daily giveaways, a show floor social and an expanded selection attracted retailers throughout the Mid-Atlantic and Tri-State region, with marked increases in attendance from Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.

“Our goal has always been to provide Mid-Atlantic and Tri-State retailers with access to the region’s premier rep agencies, national manufacturers and fresh, new local resources – all in a convenient and cost-effective setting,” said Doug Miller, president, Urban Expositions, ”

Watching the show grow and evolve has been especially rewarding and we will continue to expand and enhance its product and service offerings to ensure we are meeting our buyer and exhibitor audience needs for years to come.”

On Sunday,January 18 from 4-6PM, buyers and exhibitors enjoyed cocktails and refreshments on the show floor to celebrate the show’s 20th edition. During the social, Urban Expositions’ President Doug Miller and Show Director Marilyn Anderson took a moment to recognize those exhibitors who have been with the show since its first year, including Philip David & Co, Ivystone and Lyons Basket.

In addition to long-established exhibitors, the show also put a special product spotlight on new, first-time exhibitors with a number of advance and on-site promotions. As part of the focus, an award was presented for the best New Product to Carmie’s Kitchens.

Retailers were delighted with the brand new resources and expanding regional resources they found at the show.

“We found new booths with great pricing, beautiful items and wonderful product. We always come and stay for the entire show,” said Joanne Rebold, 2 Friends Gifts, Drexel Hill, PA.

The show also welcomed Makers’ Market, the rebranded, expanded handcrafted section. Attending retailers had the chance to vote for the Best Maker and that award went to Diana Kauffman Designs.

“At the Philadelphia show there is a true handcrafted community,” Diana Kauffman, Diana Kauffman Designs, talking about the expanded product spotlight.”You save a lot in costs by doing this show both from an exhibitor and a buyer’s standpoint. It’s a more intimate show that makes for stronger relationships.”

In addition to product, the show also featured new events and special promotions, including an expanded seminar schedule, retailer giveaways, free buyer breakfast, stay for the last day specials, and daily 50/50 cash & merchandise credit giveaways where buyers had the chance to enter daily drawings for $50 in cash or merchandise credits to use with orders on the show floor. Nancy Hulsizer of EMU Country Farm Store of Etters, PA was the 50/50 Grand Prize winner, receiving a complimentary hotel stay at the Summer 2015 edition of the Philadelphia Gift Show.

The next edition of the Philadelphia Gift Show will be held July 19-22, 2015 at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center.

MORE INFO

For exhibitor information, contact Philadelphia Gift Show Show Director Marilyn Anderson at 678.370.0362, manderson@urban-expo.com; Show Director Jeannie Dorchak at 678.370.0340 and jdorchak@urban-expo.com. For buyer information Visit www.philadelphiagiftshow.com or contact Buyer Relations Director Jhana Jordan at jjordan@urban-expo.com or 678.370.0338.

ABOUT URBAN EXPOSITIONS

Urban Expositions, which is based in Kennesaw, GA, produces and manages a portfolio of 35 events covering six sectors. Urban Expositions was founded in 1995 with the Philadelphia Gift Show and built its business in the regional Gift & Souvenir industries. In 2008 Urban began to diversify outside of Gift & Souvenir and now produces events in sectors including Art, Aviation, Foodservice and Gaming. Urban also produces one publication, Airport Revenue News, focused on the airport concession industry. Outside of Kennesaw Urban also has offices in Shelton, CT and Boca Raton, FL, as well as many remote employees based in areas that are rich with customers. For more information, visit www.urban-expo.com.