California Gift Show® Pre-Show Report
The California Gift Show®, at the Los Angeles Convention Center, will present an exciting new layout and a unique shopping experience at the July 2006 market. Highlights will include refined and repositioned divisions; the launch of two new focus areas - Spirituality & Well-Being and Party & Novelty; anticipated growth in the Fashion Accessories and World Style divisions and lifestyle installations, when the Show runs Friday, July 28 through Monday, July 31, 2006.
THE MARKET
The semi-annual California Gift Show® is managed by George Little Management, LLC, on behalf of dmg world media. The Show will feature more than 5,000 product lines, and attract some 24,000 retailers. The Show will present 1,400 exhibitors within 11 divisions and one focus area: At Home; Boutique; EX•TRACTS®; Fashion Accessories; Gifts, Etc.; Handmade®; Jewelry (Cash & Carry) The Beader's Gallery; LA Contemporary; Resort, Souvenir & Licensing; Stationery & More, and World Style. Once again, the Show will feature SOURCES® LA.
Show Statistics
Anticipated Buyer Attendance: 24,000
Anticipated Exhibitor Participation: 1,400
"The California Gift Show® continues to meet the needs of today's manufacturers and retailers year to year. With the continuing refinement of its divisions, stronger synergy with L.A. Mart and SOURCES® LA, this year's Show sets a new standard for offering a comprehensive market experience for retailers, importers and manufacturers."
Aubin Wilson, show director
MARKET HIGHLIGHTS
Streamlined Buyer-Friendly Layout; Enhanced Offerings
In response to buying patterns, the California Gift Show® will refine and relocate several of its divisions this summer, to create an easier shopping experience for retailers.
In the West Hall, divisions will focus on lifestyle, design-oriented products. In line with this, EX•TRACTS® will relocate from the South Hall to the West Hall, to join At Home, Boutique, Fashion Accessories, Handmade and LA Contemporary.
In the South Hall, Gifts, Etc. will expand by launching two new focus areas: Party & Novelty and Spiritual & Well-Being. Returning Gifts, Etc. focus areas will include Holiday, Floral & Baskets; Kids Stuff; Specialty Foods & Confections; and Tools for the Trade. Gifts, Etc. will be complemented by Resort, Souvenir & Licensing and Stationery & More, as well as SOURCES® LA - which is relocating from Petree and Concourse Halls.
Jewelry (Cash & Carry) and the Beaders' Gallery will be presented in the Concourse, as well as Kentia Hall - alongside World Style. Lifestyle Installations Display
To keep customers interested and to showcase the latest products, retailers must keep their merchandise displays fresh, exciting and new. The Show is pleased to present a new lifestyle display that will showcase fashion forward products from a select group of Show exhibitors. Located in the West Hall lobby, retailers will be inspired by the visual merchandise display to recreate this in their own retail store. Additional information will be available online at www.californiagiftshow.com, beginning June 1, 2006.
SOURCES® LA
The second semi-annual edition of SOURCES® LA will be held concurrently with the California Gift Show, and will feature nearly 200 exhibitors from 35 countries. SOURCES® LA connects North American-based wholesalers, importers, buying agents, volume retailers and product-designers with non-U.S. based manufacturers and exporters.
This summer, SOURCES® LA will relocate from the Concouse and Petree Halls, to the South Hall of the Convention Center. This new location will accommodate the Show's anticipated growth, and will position the event within closer proximity to relevant California Gift Show® exhibitors in Kentia and South Halls.
An informational display, an educational program and a sneak preview of SOURCES® LA for California Gift Show® exhibitors will offer key educational and networking opportunities. Additional information is available online at www.sourcesla.com.
PROGRAMS
The California Gift Show® continues to provide its attendees with a truly successful market experience, including a comprehensive mix of seminars that will address industry trends, website design, cutting-edge technology, retail relevance, displays and effective gift baskets.
All seminars will be located in Room 406 of the Los Angeles Convention Center. Additional information and registration is available online at www.californiagiftshow.com, or by contacting GLM's Customer Service Department at (914) 421-3206, or (800) 272-SHOW.
New Buyer Orientation Tour
Friday, July 28, 8:30 - 9:30am
This personalized tour is a must for first-time buyers. Participants will learn how to navigate the Los Angeles Convention Center, learn tips on shopping the California Gift Show® effectively -including how to get from West Hall to South Hall in time for an educational program, and even where to grab a bite to eat in between. The tour departs from Room 406. Tickets for the tour are free, but advance registration is highly recommended.
Making Your Website Work
Friday, July 28, 12:30 - 1:30 pm
Participants will learn how to implement successful online retail websites from I Business Forum's Michael Johnston. Making important business decisions, planning a website, evaluating web development firms and implementing cost saving sites are key focus areas. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 on-site.
Jubilee! Gift Basket Training Camp: One Day of Power Workouts!
Saturday, July 29, 9:00am - 5:30pm
Back by popular demand, Jubilee! Gift Basket Training Camp will provide participants with insight into business growth opportunities, client and customer prospecting, buying strategies, new make-in-a-minute gift ideas that are sure to please your most discerning customer. Tickets are $129.00 per person through June 16, and $159.00 after June 16, 2006. To register, visit www.giftbasketjubilee.com.
SPECIAL EVENTS
Evening at the Hollywood Bowl
Attendees and exhibitors are invited to participate in an "Evening Event at the Hollywood Bowl", sponsored by the LA Mart. Additional information and registration will be available on lamart.com, beginning in June 2006.
BUYER AMENITIES
Parking Rebates
Upon presentation of a same-day receipt, buyers will receive a $5.00 rebate for parking on Friday, July 28, 2006. A list of parking facilities convenient to market locations is available online at www.californiagiftshow.com.
Shuttle Service
Each day of the Show, free shuttle service will be available between selected local hotels, the Los Angeles Convention Center and the L.A. Mart.
Markets Represented
Some 1,400 exhibitors are expected to participate showcasing: general giftware; tabletop and housewares; decorative and personal accessories; international handicrafts and gifts; traditional and contemporary crafts; gourmet and specialty foods; contemporary design products; garden accessories & outdoor furnishings; juvenile products; floral products; aromatherapy and personal care products; resort & souvenir products; collectibles; plush; and stationery.
Profile of Attendees
Approximately 24,000 attendees from specialty and department stores, gift shops, home furnishing and decorative accessory stores, boutiques, jewelry stores, importers and distributors of home products, mail order catalogs, museums and galleries, stationery stores, craft retailers, e-businesses, garden centers, interior designers, resorts and theme parks, hotels and spas are expected to attend.
Exhibitor Information
Liz Nystrom, show manager, California Gift Show®
213-430-2354, liz_nystrom@glmshows.com
Colvin English, show manager, SOURCES® LA
213-430-2316, colvin_english@glmshows.com
Attendee Information
GLM Customer Service Department
800-272-SHOW (7469) or 914-421-3206
Travel Information
Group Travel
888-524-7285
www.gtameetings.com.
California Gift Show® Dates and Hours
Saturday, July 28, 9:00am - 6:00pm
Sunday, July 29, 9:00am - 6:00pm
Monday, July 30, 9:00am - 6:00pm
Tuesday, July 31, 9:00am - 4:00pm
Issued: White Plains, NY, May 2, 2006.
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