As the West Coast’s first market of the year, the Seattle Gift Show returns to the Washington State Convention Center with a new Thursday – Sunday date pattern.  From January 17-20, 2013, retailers can find everything they need to start the year off right.  From a wide range of product in countless category options, to innovative designs and the industry’s biggest names all under one roof, the Seattle Gift Show takes the lead this winter.

“The Seattle Gift Show offers retailers a cost-effective, convenient and enjoyable way to kick off the 2013 retail season,” explains Doug Miller, president, Urban Expositions.  ”Not only will they find great new resources from a selection that’s custom-tailored to the Pacific Northwest consumer, but retailers can also take advantage of significant  travel savings and a host of other great buyer services.  And, with its wonderful mix of restaurants, shopping and nightlife, Seattle is a great business travel destination too.”

Highlights for the Show include:

ECO-FRIENDLY | MADE IN AMERICA

As demand for Green and Made In America products grows in the Pacific Northwest, Urban Expositions continues to focus efforts on expanding the selection in these categories at the Seattle Gift Show. Exhibitors with products that fall under the Green, Sustainable, Organic and Recycled category, as well as those exhibitors whose products are made here in America, will be listed on the show website and in the official show directory to help retailers quickly and easily identify these companies.

EXPANDED SELECTION

Retailers can explore more resources than ever before from hundreds of companies representing more than 3,000-plus top name lines and innovative newcomers in a range of categories.  In addition to Eco-Friendly resources and Made in American products, buyers can explore the latest in categories like Food Focus, Gifts & Collectibles, Handcrafted, Home & Garden, Northwest Directions, Personal Style, Treasures To Go (Cash & Carry), Vintage Collection and Village Arts.

ON-SITE BUYER SERVICES

In addition to the tremendous product selection buyers will find in the booths, a number of striking product displays and educational programs will be featured throughout the show, including:

• Product Preview Area – Many exhibitors will showcase their newest, trend-setting products in the special Product Preview Area, allowing buyers to preview the “must have” items for 2013. Take note of the special green and Made In America displayed products as well.

• Terrific Thursday –  To spotlight the Thursday show opening, many exhibitors will be offering special deals and discounts available on Thursday, January 17 only.

•  Free Business-Building Educational Seminars – Buyers will find a full-scale seminar series at the January show.  Running from Thursday, January 17- Saturday, January 19^th, all programs are free to registered buyers.  Programs will include a presentation on marketing/selling Made in America products by Chris Lake, National Merchandise Manager for Aramark Parks & Destinations; a number of social media marketing and strategy sessions by Crystal Vilkitis, Crystal Media; retail marketing tips and techniques hosted by Lynn Switanowski-Barrett; owner Creative Business Consulting Group, LLC;  buying strategies and  inventory management led by Mita Patniak, co-founder, Vianza; and more. 

• Parking Rebates – Retailers who pre- register are eligible for a parking rebate of up to $6.  When they pre-register, they will receive a special rebate coupon along with their badges and pre-show information in the mail in advance of the show to help cut costs and make shopping the show even more affordable.

For attendee information or to pre-register, contact Buyer Relations Representative, Briana Mackey at 678.831.4573 or email bmackey@urban-expo.com.

For exhibitor information, contact Show Director, Lisa Glosson, at  678.370.0334 or 800.318.2238 x 334.  Email: lglosson@urban-expo.com. Visit the Seattle Gift Show website for more information.

Urban Expositions is the largest gift and souvenir trade show organizer in the U.S., hosting a total of 24 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