Buyer Attendance Up Nine Percent At The August 17-21, 2002 Seattle Gift Show®

Furniture World News

The 144th semi-annual Seattle Gift Show, the Northwest’s largest gift and accessories market, experienced a nine percent increase of buyer attendance over the summer 2001 market. Buying was brisk as retailers prepare for the fourth quarter holiday seasons. Nearly 14,000 attendees shopped 1,440 booths in order to fill their inventory needs. The Seattle market, housed entirely in the expanded Washington State Convention & Trade Center, enabled attendees to see the unique products that will become “must-haves” during the gift giving season. “We are encouraged by the strong attendance at Seattle’s summer market as well as the wonderful comments we heard from buyers about the breadth of product found here,” stated Mike Dean, President and Show Manager, Western Exhibitors, LLC. “The Seattle Gift Show is fast becoming a leading destination for Northwest, Alaskan and Canadian retailers to find unique products,” continued Dean. “The 12 divisions managed by Western Exhibitors and George Little Management enable buyers to select from a wide variety of merchandise for their stores. Every category is well represented in Seattle, which gives buyers ample opportunities to see fresh ideas, products, textures and colors,” added Wendy Breuner, Executive Vice President and Show Manager, Western Exhibitors, LLC. “We noted that many of the attendees opted to extend their time spent at the market in order to make better decisions for their stores,” said Breuner.