Portland Gift & Accessories Show Oregon Convention Center June 23-26, 2001

Furniture World Magazine

Accessories: Home, Country, Garden, Fashion Accessories, FoodFocus, Gift & Collectibles, Housewares and Gourmet, The Jewelry Vaultsm, Stationery & Trend Merchandise, Multicultural Merchandise, Northwest Craft Gallery, Personal Accessories, Souvenir/Resort/Novelty, Tabletop, The Vintage Collection. Pre-Show Report San Francisco: The 140th semi-annual Portland Gift & Accessories Show®, which features many emerging manufacturers and artisans that can only be found at this growing market, will take place Saturday, June 23 through Tuesday, June 26, 2001. Retailers will find a myriad of product possibilities "unfold" at the Portland market as many exhibiting companies use this event to launch their company and line into the wholesale gift industry. This summer’s market features over 650 booths and 3,000 lines as well as an expanded seminar program and several buyer amenities. The Market The Portland market will include approximately 350 exhibiting companies, encompassing 56,514 net square feet of exhibit space. The Portland Gift & Accessories Show® will feature a variety of giftware, decorative accessories, personal and fashion accessories, home décor, one-of-a-kind, handmade merchandise, antiques and collectibles, tableware and fine jewelry. Nearly 5,200 buyers are expected to attend the show. "Western Exhibitors has implemented many exciting plans and promotions for the June 23-26, 2001 Portland Gift & Accessories Show®. In addition to numerous buyer incentives (including a "buyer’s invitational" program and retail-effective give-aways), we also have launched a special sales effort to entice key exhibiting companies. It is our goal to assist in the business success of our retail and wholesale clientele—by helping with pre-marketing efforts for exhibitors and making sure that the retail community finds appropriate merchandise for their stores," said Kelly McLoughlin, Show Manager of the Portland Gift & Accessories Show®, Western Exhibitors, LLC. Portland Gift & Accessories Statistics: Number of Booths: 650 - Net Square Footage: 56,514 - Anticipated Buyer Attendance: 5,200 Programs: The Portland Gift & Accessories Show® will feature an updated seminar program specifically designed to educate retailers in making their stores more profitable. The following will outline some of the topics: store layout and design with a retail tour, inventory control, making more money in business, in-store events and promotions and visual merchandising. Back by popular demand, the summer market will feature an all-day workshop with a retail tour on Friday, June 22, 2001. Seminar/workshop attendees will be able to gain valuable, up-to-the-minute information and insight from nationally recognized industry experts. Additionally, a buyer and exhibitor reception is planned on Monday, June 25, in the lobby of the Oregon Convention Center. This will give buyers and exhibitors an opportunity to relax and enjoy hors d’oeuvres and cocktails for only $1. Seminars: "Make Your Store More Profitable Day"—will kick off the summer seminar program with an all day, pre-show workshop that will encompass store layout and a retail tour—a guided field trip of Portland’s most successful stores—this program and tour will be led by retail expert Andrew Andoniadis. On Saturday, June 23, "Take Control Of Your Inventory Day" will feature retail expert and consultant Merry Callahan discussing practical and easy inventory management ideas. Making more money in business is a retailer’s goal and "Make More Money In Your Business Day," Sunday, June 24, 2001, with retail expert Andrew Andoniadis will give attendees eight low maintenance ways to increase profitability. Popular speaker and motivator Sue Kirby will lead both seminars on "The Thrill And Frill Of Retailing Day," Monday, June 25, 2001, with two brand new topics. All seminars on Monday are $1 and include either a continental breakfast or buffet lunch. (For a complete list of seminars and programs, please refer to the attached At-A-Glance.) Seminar Reservations: Reservations for seminars and events taking place at the Portland Gift & Accessories Show® can be made by phone, fax or mail. Many events sell out in advance and most offer a 25 percent price reduction for pre-registration. Checks, Visa, Mastercard are accepted and cash is acceptable on-site. Mail requests to: Portland Gift & Accessories Show Special Events, Western Exhibitors, LLC, 2181 Greenwich Street, San Francisco, CA 94123. For additional information, visit the Portland Gift & Accessories Show® interactive web site at www.portlandgift.com or call Customer Service at 415.346.6666 or fax inquiries to 415.346.4965. The pre-registration deadline is Wednesday, June 20, 2001. Buyer Amenities: Dollar Day—Monday, June 25, 2001 is a bargain for buyers. Everything from seminars to parking and a fantastic reception will be $1. "Only In Portland" Show Specials—Many exhibiting companies will be offering specials that can only be found on-site at the Portland Gift & Accessories Show®. Retailers wanting to take advantage of these cost-effective incentives will receive a preliminary listing with their badges and a complete listing on-site. Win a laptop computer and digital camera—In an effort to assist storeowners with putting their business on-line and helping to streamline accounting and other procedures, one lucky retailer will win a new laptop computer and digital camera. Game cards will be available on-site at the Portland Gift & Accessories Show®. Daily $250 cash drawings—Buyers will have the opportunity to win $250 toward show orders placed at the Portland Gift & Accessories Show®. Winners will be announced daily. Low Cost Hotel Rates—The Portland Gift & Accessories Show® boasts the lowest hotel rates on the West Coast. Travel and hotel contacts are listed below. Parking Rebates—Retailers can receive up to $5 for their parking by presenting the coupon located in the badge mailer at the show office. Parking will not be available on-site; however, there are several lots within walking distance of the Oregon Convention Center and free shuttle service will be provided. Log onto www.portlandgift.com or www.oregoncc.org for complete, updated parking information. Product Categories: Oregon Convention Center: Gift & Collectibles, stationery and trend merchandise, multi-cultural merchandise, personal care products, personal/fashion accessories, housewares and gourmet products, home décor and accessories, The Jewelry Vault—featuring fine and fashion jewelry, semi-precious stones, precious stones, gold, silver, beads, multi-cultural accessories, watches and FoodFocus—pre-packaged, gourmet food items, The Northwest Craft Gallery, The Vintage Collection—antiques and found objects. Travel Information: Travel arrangements can be made through Group Travel Associates, the official travel agent for Portland Gift & Accessories Show®. To make reservations, call 800.821.0339 (outside California) or 805.496.1251 (Continental U.S.). Reservations also can be made on line at www.gtameetings.com. FAX 805.496.1291. Exhibitor/Attendee Information: For exhibitor information regarding the Portland Gift & Accessories Show®, contact Western Exhibitors, LLC, 2181 Greenwich Street, San Francisco, CA 94123. Phone: 415.346.6666. Fax: 415.346.4965. E-mail: showinfo@weshows.com. Additional information can be found by visiting Western Exhibitors’ interactive web site at www.portlandgift.com. For buyer information, contact Western Exhibitors, LLC, 2181 Greenwich Street, San Francisco, CA 94123. Phone: 800.346.1212 (outside Bay Area); 415.346.0168 (within San Francisco Bay Area). Fax: 415.346.4965. E-mail: showinfo@weshows.com. Additional information can be found by visiting Western Exhibitors’ interactive web site at www.portlandgift.com. Portland Show Dates and Hours Saturday, June 23 9:00 am-6:00 pm Sunday, June 24 9:00 am-6:00 pm Monday. June 25 9:00 am-6:00 pm Tuesday, June 26 9:00 am-1:00 pm The Portland Gift & Accessories Show® is produced by Western Exhibitors, LLC, San Francisco, California. The Portland Gift & Accessories Show“, The Jewelry Vaultsm and The Vintage Collection“ are registered trademarks of Western Exhibitors, LLC, San Francisco, California USA. stacey@weshows.com