Portland Gift & Accessories Show “ Oregon Convention Center January 11-14, 2003

Furniture World Magazine

The 143rd semi-annual Portland Gift & Accessories Show®, which takes place Saturday, January 11 through Tuesday, January 14, 2003, is the first gift market of the winter buying season. The Portland show will feature many emerging manufacturers and artisans that can only be found at this growing market with a major emphasis on souvenir and resort products as well as indoor/outdoor living merchandise. Retailers will find a myriad of product possibilities making their debut. Many exhibiting companies use this show to launch their product into the wholesale gift industry. This winter’s market will feature 600 booths and 3,000 lines as well as all new educational programming and several buyer amenities. The Market: The Portland market will include approximately 350 exhibiting companies, encompassing 57,000 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 5,600 buyers are expected to attend the show. “The Portland Gift & Accessories Show® has become known as the market in which artisans and manufacturers launch their product. This has given us an opportunity to promote the wonderful products found here as ‘premier’ finds to retailers. This season, we have put special emphasis on souvenir and resort merchandise as well as beautiful products for indoor and outdoor living. We will target buyers in the resort communities in the Oregon and Washington regions and nurseries and garden centers,” said David Gilfoyle, Show Manager of the Portland Gift & Accessories Show®, Western Exhibitors, LLC. Programs: The Portland Gift & Accessories Show® will feature a completely revamped educational program specifically designed to educate retailers in making their stores more profitable. The following will outline some of the topics: becoming a retail pro—an all day workshop, the essentials of successful retailer, increasing sales and promoting and merchandising the store on a limited budget. Seminar/workshop attendees will gain valuable, up-to-the-minute information and insight from nationally recognized industry experts. Additionally, a buyer and exhibitor reception is planned on Monday, January 13, 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: Friday, January 10—“Become A Retail Pro Day”—will kick off the winter seminar program with an all day, pre-show workshop to provide workable ideas for creating a profitable bottom line—retail expert Andrew Andoniadis will lead this program. On Saturday, January 11, “The Essentials For Successful Retailing Day” will feature retail expert, consultant and author Rick Segel discussing the nine essential elements that are prevalent in the most successful businesses and ways retailers can use them right now for increased profitability. “Increase Your Sales Day,” Sunday, January 12, retail expert and consultant Andrew Andoniadis will give valuable insight on how stores can increase their sales with signage. Popular speaker and motivator Sue Kirby will lead both seminars on “Promotions For Pennies Day,” Monday, January 13, 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, on-line at www.portlandgift.com or mail. Many events sell out in advance and most offer a 25 percent price discount 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, January 9, 2003.