New Divisional Managers Announced For The Seattle Gift Show®

Furniture World Magazine

Universal Shows, Inc. (formerly Western Exhibitors, Inc.) managers of The Seattle Gift Show®, announced product division managers for this recently expanded market. Beginning with the August 18-22, 2001 event, each manager will have the responsibility of developing the individual sections, maintaining direct contact with exhibiting companies, assigning booth locations, leading the jury process for those divisions that require a set of standards and guidelines and on-site management. The new Divisional Managers are as follows: Andrew Toplarski—GardenStyle, Village Arts and The Jewelry Vaultsm—exhibitors interested in participating in these divisions can contact Andrew at 415.447.3223 or andrew@weshows.com. Joan Stockton—At Home and The Vintage Collection—exhibitors interested in participating in these divisions can contact Joan at 415.447.3233 or joan@weshows.com. Kelly McLoughlin—Northwest Directions and Stationery & Trend Merchandise—exhibitors interested in participating in these divisions can contact Kelly at 415.447.3234 or kelly@weshows.com Mary Jane Craig—Northwest Craft Gallery and FoodFocus—exhibitors interested in participating in these divisions can contact Mary Jane at 415.447.3238 or maryjane@weshows.com. The Seattle Gift Show® also welcomes George Little Management, LLC to the management team. Lori Robinson, Show Manager for The Seattle Gift Show® and Show Manager for the San Francisco International Gift Fair® and Affordable Meetings, will oversee the management responsibility for Handmade® and Personal Style, and Amanda Kasper will work as the Divisional Manager for Handmade® and Personal Style—exhibitors interested in participating in these divisions can contact Amanda at 914.421.3367 or amanda_kasper@glmshows.com. "With the addition of six new juried divisions to The Seattle Gift Show®, it became important to give our exhibiting clientele a direct contact for their section—allowing them to work with decision makers. Our divisional managers will be well versed in the criteria for exhibiting in the various sections and will have the ability to answer specific questions pertaining to location, placement status, etc. We are confident in the ability of our team to develop and maintain the integrity set forth in this newly reinvented market," stated Mike Dean, President of Western Exhibitors, LLC. "The new Seattle Gift Show® team has a wealth of knowledge and experience in the gift show industry—many have been on our staff over 12 years. Their individual responsibilities will allow the opportunity to develop close working relationships with the exhibitors in their divisions as well as expand the scope of their current position," added Andrew Toplarski, Director of Show Production, Western Exhibitors, LLC. This market will be the largest trade event of its kind in the Northwest, encompassing 150,000 net square feet of exhibit space and featuring approximately 950 exhibiting companies and more than 4,800 lines. The newly expanded Show will debut August 18-22, 2001 at the Washington State Convention & Trade Center. The Seattle Gift Show® draws approximately 16,000 retailers from the Pacific Northwest, Canada, Alaska and surrounding regions. For buyer information, interested parties can contact 800.346.1212 (outside the San Francisco Bay Area) or 415.346.6666, or log onto the interactive Web Site at www.seattlegift.com. E-mail: stacey@weshows.com