GIFT AND HOME RETAILER NEWS

A Service of GiftsWholesale.Com and OmegaNet Inc.

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May 2013

GiftsWholesale.Com and OmegaNet Inc. and are not responsible for changes in show information or typographical errors. GiftsWholesale.Com and OmegaNet Inc. are not directly associated with any trade show.

May 2013
5-6 Dallas
7-9 Atlanta
15-16 Long Beach, CA
19-22 New York
31-June 3 Kansas City

June 2013
2-4 Minneapolis
3-7 New York
3-9 Atlanta
6-7 Los Angeles
19-25 Dallas

July 2013
10-17 Atlanta
14-17 Boston
16-23 Los Angeles
19-24 Chicago
21-23 Columbus
21-24 Philadelphia
25-27 Phoenix
29-Aug. 2 Las Vegas

August 2013
2-5 Kansas City
2-6 Minneapolis
3-5 Orlando
4-6 Edison, NJ
8-12 Atlanta
10-15 New York
11-12 Kissimmee, FL
11-14 Toronto
17-21 New York
17-20 Seattle
18-21 Edmonton
22-27 Denver
24-27 Ft. Lauderdale
25-28 Montreal

For a full list of Trade Shows, go to GiftsWholesale.Com

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OmegaNet Portals:
GiftsWholesale.Com
DecorWholesale.Com
AccessoriesWholesale.Com
ToysWholesale.Com
ApparelWholesale.Biz
CAMEOEZMarketplace.Com
TheShoppePlace.Com (Retail)

OmegaNet Launches USMadeWholesale.Com

OmegaNet Launches USMadeWholesale.Com A new website portal, USMadeWholesale.Com, debuted this month from OmegaNet, publisher of this newsletter and the developers of GiftsWholesale.Com and the other portals listed at left. Each portal provides links to vendor advertisers who have products in the portal's area of specialty.

USMadeWholesale.Com, as the domain name implies, lists vendors whose products are Made in USA or at least are assembled in the United States.

Because manufacturing has often been cheaper overseas, much of it has moved offshore, and so the country's economy has been affected and many people will prefer to buy Made in USA products if they have a choice.

To see the list of US-Made vendors, go to http://www.usmadewholesale.com/vendor-alphabetical-list/.

A new feature in each of the portals is the Category Search. For instance, go to http://www.giftswholesale.com/category-search/ and click on any of the 48 standard categories to see which of that portals advertising vendors have products in that category. The results listing links directly to the vendor's wholesale website.

For a complete listing of all websites using OmegaNet's CAMEO EZ© system, go to http://www.cameoez.com/Scripts/PublicSite/?template=Directory and login with your CAMEO EZ username and password.


Featured Vendors

indicates a CAMEO EZ© web site.

Badash Crystal: Our broad selection of mouth blown tabletop and decorative accessories from around the world will surely meet your needs. Every piece is individually and safely boxed. We offer superb quality and value for all your gift giving, bridal and/or personal pleasure.


Band Angels is a line of adhesive bandages in boys' and girls' colors (blue and pink) decorated with Scripture verses printed on them.



CAMEOEZMarketplace.com: CAMEO EZ© member stores can now log into a site one time and place orders from several manufacturers. Check back often to see more lines. One Login - Multiple Shopping Carts - Easy Checkout.


Camille Beckman is known worldwide for the quality of their fine creams and lotions. For the past 18 years, this 'Made in America' product has been rated #1 in the personal care industry and continues to offer formulas based on rich and wholesome ingredients, blending small batches and using hand-crafted, old-fashioned methods that create a difference you can feel! Being that personal care products are an indispensable item for many gift shops, Camille Beckman is a natural choice because of their 27 years of service to the locally owned gift industry.


Coast Lamp Manufacturing was established and incorporated in the state of Florida in 1955. Now, a North Carolina Corporation since 1975, located in the beautiful mountains of Western North Carolina. We are a family owned and operated company. Our product is UL/ULC listed and approved and made in the USA. Customer satisfaction and a long lasting relationship are our goals. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to serve you.


Divinity Boutique is a gift company that is focused on trendy and fun gifts that feature inspirational verse and themes.


Elegant Baby Elegant Baby® understands that babies deserve style just as fresh as they are! Our marvelous collection of baby products is full of bold colors and spectacular designs. From traditional to contemporary, today's baby gift is sure to become tomorrow's treasure. Products ranging from My First Rubber Ducky to My First Baby Bible, My First Baby Blankie, My First Baby Jeans to the iconic silver spoon, Elegant Baby is where style meets tradition.


Europa Home decorincluding glass, candleholders and candles for garden, lodge, awards, gourmet food, sale items and more.


Gina B. Designs is an award-winning greeting card, gift and stationery products company featuring exceptional art and design. With an array of styles, variety of products and outstanding customer service, Gina B. Designs has "something for everyone."  All products are proudly made in the U.S.A.


Halle Joy is a different type of company, committed not only to designing beautiful products, but to bringing joy to people throughout the world. A portion of the proceeds from every piece we sell goes to support worthy causes around the world.


Hook Line Greetings offers the world's first patent-pending "Gift-in-Greet" Fishing Lure Cards. The company's unique and clever greeting cards contain an authentic hand-tied fishing lure as the "gift" that can be taken out for immediate fun and enjoyment. Just "release" the fishing lure from the card, tie on a line and go fish!


Highland Graphics: a leader in functional gift with decorative items for gift giving and kitchen. From our topselling Absorbastone coasters, to our decorative bamboo cutting boards, everything we manufacture is made in the USA. Our high quality plus competitive pricing lets our customers make higher margins. We feature licensed art, official collegiate products and have a full range of custom capabilities with low minimums.


InDesign, Home of The Sophie Collection, one of America's leading fashion accessory wholesalers! All products designed by Anna Larsson Daley using only the finest textiles and materials available. We provide retailers with unique, high quality fashion accessories including the # 1 selling jewel embellished scarf at retail.


JTP Wholesale: Monogrammed toilet paper and coasters - The perfect gift for the person who has everything.


Leslie Handpainted Glass: Leslie Hand Painted Glass is Proudly Painting in Portland Oregon USA Specializing in Custom & Regionally Specific Designs - Personalized Wedding & Bridal Parties - Corporate Gifts & Events.


Nicole Brayden Gifts: a bright and trendy collection of stationary and home decorproducts. Lots of fun colors and designs offered. Introducing new and exciting "Purse Pad" stationary assortments as well as the trendy Cheeky Chic collection.


O3 USA: Founded on principles of creativity, functionality and a funky spirit, O3 USA strives strive to offer products that are unique, stylish, and, most importantly, cool. From kids' backpacks and luggage with integrated coolers, to fun accessories for the family, we hope you find what you are looking for with us here at O3!

snoozies!® are not socks and they're not slippers - sort of a crossover between the two and that's why we call them "foot coverings"! snoozies!® are made with a brushed fleece exterior in colorful & fun printed patterns and then lined with a soft Sherpa fleece inside.


Shade Tree Greetings' "Actual Pictures" are recognized as one of the best-selling greeting card lines in the industry. Nostalgic photographs and clever, funny verses make these cards a success. Go to our website to browse over 300 styles. GREAT introductory programs and free fixtures.


Stupell Industries: one of America's premier suppliers of handcrafted decorative accessories for upscale homes and offices. In business for over 30 years, our line includes a wide variety of baby products, kitchen and bathroom plaques, wall hangings, faux windows, picture frames, and other unique decorative objects. We are constantly enlarging and updating our product offering to keep abreast of the latest trends and styles in the fast-paced home decorative market.


Sunbelt Marketing Group, Inc. Licensed functional and decorative giftware for the home and tailored for the men's market, i.e. (clocks, signs, coat/key racks, salt and pepper shakers, bottle openers, shelves, picture frames, games key chains and more). Licenses include Coca-Cola, General Motors, Pepsi-Cola, Farmall Tractors, Shelby and the Shelby Ford Mustang and Dodge. Product mediums include wood, polyresin, and glass and mixed mediums.


Tripar International Inc.: Tripar International is your source for both displays and decorative accessories. Our extensive product line includes a wide assortment of easels, risers, ornament stands, plate racks, mirrors, jewelry displays, and unique display pieces. We are also an excellent source for wine accessories, wall decor, inspirational signs, and cookbook stands. We offer quality with style, low minimums and fast shipping.


Wellspring makes functional products with fresh designs for companies that sell gifts. Great fun and cute personal accessories designed for the purse, stationery designed for organization and Flip Notes- the best-selling slim notepad consistently ranked by retailers as a top 10 in sell through. Perfect 4th quarter pick up gifts at under $10 retail- a sweet spot with today's consumer. Now with collegiate logos! www.WellspringGift.com.



Awesome Leadership Lessons from Reality TV

Cheaper to make than scripted shows and with the prospect of high drama and the appeal of watching "real people" in a variety of situations, reality shows generate a wide and surprisingly loyal following. Business reinvention is my favorite sub-set of the reality universe.

The standard format features a business in financial trouble caused by a combination of problems often involving leadership, supervision, operations or customer service. The expert goes about identifying the issues, coaching for change and getting the owner and employees on the right track.

The variety of owner personalities and their reactions to even the suggestion of change is fascinating and often where the drama comes in. For the viewer who is also a business owner, these shows can be both a cautionary tale of "what not to do" and a practical guide to professional business solutions. Some of the best for leadership lessons are:

Tabitha Takes Over (formerly Tabitha's Salon Takeover, Bravo TV). A successful salon owner and stylist, Tabitha began by assisting salons but has now expanded into assisting a variety of other small businesses. She is known for her commitment to professionalism in turning the businesses around — in one week.

Undercover Boss (CBS) A high ranking executive or owner goes out undercover as an entry level employee to experience entry level work at their own company. It's usually an eye-opening occasion for the executive as they see both the positives and the negatives from a new perspective.

Restaurant Impossible (The Food Network) Successful chef and restaurateur Robert Irvine accepts the "mission" of visiting failing restaurants. With his "no nonsense" style, a crew of helpers, $10,000 and only 2 days, he gets them on the road to recovery.

Leadership lessons come from everywhere. Sometimes seeing your exact situation played out by others can lead to that "aha moment" that generates positive change.

Gail Markert is the President of Markert Group Consulting. A former key account buyer, Gail assists manufacturers and retailers with merchandising, marketing, branding, and product development. You can view her website at MarkertGroupConsulting.com or reach her at Gail@MarkertGroupConsulting.com.

© Gail Markert, Markert Group Consulting, 2013


Quick Industry News

New Wholesale Websites

This CAMEO EZ© website is new for May. Check it out!

Sunday Greetings is a greeting card company that started when Brenda Kellman made a homemade birthday card for her husband Alan. Brenda's photography is on the cover of the company's greeting cards for every occasion.

GOURMET HOUSEWARES SHOW® INTEGRATED INTO NY NOW® NY NOW HOME
Collection To Feature Housewares Resources Twice Yearly

WHITE PLAINS, NY, March 29, 2013... Beginning with the Summer 2013 market, the Gourmet Housewares Show® will be integrated into NY NOW®, the Market for Home & Lifestyle (formerly NYIGF®). As part of this, some 300 suppliers of gourmet housewares products specialty tabletop will be showcased together within a "Tabletop + Gourmet Housewares" neighborhood within the new NY NOW HOME collection, August 18-21, 2013, at New York City's Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.

"The new name hasn't changed the quantity or quality of innovative new products and leading resources in gourmet products and upscale housewares," said Christian Falkenberg, NY NOW director and GLM senior vice president. "Plus. as part of NY NOW HOME, both buyers and suppliers now have access to the New York market two times a year, in both winter and summer."

Suppliers participating in the Tabletop + Gourmet Housewares neighborhood will showcase a full range of design-driven and functional cookware, bakeware, kitchen gadgets, kitchen textiles, bar and wine accessories, specialty food, cookbooks, storage/containers, picnic/barbecue accessories, and more. Participants include both new exhibitors and former Gourmet Housewares Show participants, including: Core Bamboo, DKB formally Zyliss, Enrico Products, Guzzini, HIC, Joseph Joseph, Nespresso, Oggi, Quench Products, Vac u Vin, Zak Designs and Zoku. Notable tabletop suppliers within this neighborhood will include Deagourmet, Juliska, Just Slate, Kim Seybert, Kinto, Mariposa, Mary Jurek, Michael Aram, Reed & Barton, Simon Pearce, Vagabond and Vietri.

CAMEO EZ© is the B2B e-commerce system developed by OmegaNet Inc., publisher of this newsletter, for use by retailers in ordering inventory for their stores. A partial list of CAMEO EZ sites can be found at the company's portals such as www.giftswholesale.com, www.accessorieswholesale.com, www.apparelwholesale.biz, www.decorwholesale.com and www.toyswholesale.com. A complete list of sites is available in the "Directory" on www.CAMEOEZ.com.