California Gift Show Highlights

A feeling of optimism and excitement filled the air at this July’s California Gift Show. Under the leadership of MMPI, the California Gift Show demonstrated its commitment to excellence by adding more resources, quality buyers, and creating key points of differentiation from other markets.

 

A bright and fun sense of arrival was created at both venues with sunny, new branding. The energetic atmosphere was carried throughout the show floors and both Showrooms and Temporaries were lively as buyers purchased new products for their stores. Exhibitors reported seeing an increase the quality of buyers, due in part to our strengthened badge and credential requirements. The recent changes we have implemented have reinforced the fact that the California Gift Show is one seamless show in two must-see venues. 

Facts.

  • 250 brand NEW exhibitors joined the show, with Beckman’s West growing by 80 brand new artisans

  • We strategically realigned the Temporaries, moving all gift resources to the Los Angeles Convention Center and Beckman’s West to L.A. Mart’s 2nd floor. This created larger categories at both venues and a larger floor than in January

 

  • 12 new showrooms were have joined the L.A. Mart in 2010


  • Kentia Hall was successfully re-branded as “The Global Marketplace,” with a new look, vibrant environment, socially-conscious product that cannot be found elsewhere and one of the largest Fair Trade pavilions in North America

 

  • Keynote speaker Gordon Segal drew a large audience, with buyers flying from around the globe to hear him speak. 28 Crate & Barrel buyers joined him, shopping the show and placing orders

 

  • International Trade Representatives attended a discussion about exhibiting in LA. These crucial relationships have the potential to bring large international trade groups to the California Gift Show

 

  • On-trend product displays and merchandising workshops promoted cross-venue buying and gave retailers creative merchandising ideas to drive store traffic

 

  • 93% of buyers placed orders at the show, 88% will place orders after the show

 

  • 80% of buyers’ most important goal is to find new product and 80% attend market 2+ days

 

  • Buyers are shopping closer to home, which is good news for Los Angeles with such an enormous population

Marketing That Delivers. 

  • Our mail pieces reach more than 80,000 buyers 4 times a year and targeted direct mail 6 times a year to specific markets and an additional 30,000 new prospects, including a piece in Spanish

 

  • Weekly email campaigns reach more than 50,000 quality buyers and 1 million impressions promoting each show

 

  • Advertising produces over 1.5 million impressions in key publications and on trade websites

 

  • Our website attained 50,000 unique visitors from web banners and email campaigns to industry publication subscribers

 

  • Valuable incentives such as 95 round trip flights and 100 hotel nights were provided to key buyers. We also provide parking and taxi reimbursement, complimentary lunch and giveaways through our Buyer Relations program