Celebrating its 20th edition, the Philadelphia Gift Show at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center – held January 17 to 20 – recorded a 13% increase in attendance over last winter’s show. New product and service initiatives 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,” says Doug Miller, President of 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.”
In addition to long-established exhibitors, the show also emphasized new, first-time exhibitors with a number of advance and on-site promotions. The event also welcomed Makers’ Market, the rebranded and expanded handcrafted section.
“At the Philadelphia show, there is a true handcrafted community,” notes Diana Kauffman of Diana Kauffman Designs. “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.”
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.
The next edition of the Philadelphia Gift Show will be held July 19-22 at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center.
