Thinking Big at Small Shows
When it comes to trade shows bigger may not always be better, since at a big show there is often more to do and see than a buyer can take in in the time they have. If 25,000 buyers attend a show with 5,000 vendors, the buyers may have the same opportunity as 1000 buyers attending a show with 200 vendors. It's a matter of scale.
Twice a year in this newsletter we put the spotlight on trade shows, and this month we'll take a look at a few small regional shows that may get shouted down by the larger (and louder) national shows.
Debuting in July is the Southern Wholesale Gift Show at the Cajun Dome in Lafayette, Louisiana, July 22-23. You can register to attend or become an exhibitor at southernwholesalegiftshow.com. The show focuses on all things Southern.
Located at three locations in the Mid-Atlantic and Midwest, Heritage Markets operates Cash-and-carry wholesale shows in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania (just past on May 22) at Eisenhower Inn, secondly in Wilmington, Ohio (August 11. and Oct. 11) at Roberts Centre, and in Springfield, Illinois (Sept. 14) at the Illinois State Fairgrounds. Typically these shows have a small exhibitor list, but they are "cash-and-carry" so, if you're close by, it's an opportunity to stock up on inventory bargains. The focus is unique, one-of-a-kind handcrafted products and imports.
If you're out west, Phoenix, Arizona is the site of the OASIS Gift Show (Sept. 8-9) at the Phoenix Convention Center South Hall. OASIS is an organization founded in 1976 by a group of sales representatives. The show has grown to encompass 250,000 square feet of exhibit space and attracts up to 3,000 buyers to its two shows annually.
If your store is near the water, the Grand Strand Gift & Resort Merchandise Gift Show (Dec. 3-6) may be just what you're looking for. Held annually at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, the show specializes in all things beach and nautical.
Quick Industry News
TRADE SHOW NEWS
GOLDEN HILL ANNOUNCES SUMMER SHOW SPECIAL/NEW PRODUCT INTRO
Golden Hill Studio is proud to present its newest Throw Pillow Collection, featuring nine new designs with a lovely collage of antique botanicals and script. To see this and Golden Hill's entire wholesale line go to Golden Hill's CAMEO EZ© website. The website's look has been recently refreshed.
Take advantage of our Summer Show Special Free Shipping. Add this coupon at closeout: 2017Summer.
Featured Vendors
indicates a CAMEO EZ© web site.
Aloha Farms
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Aloha Farms brings the tastes and scents of Hawaii to you. The site features Kona Coffee and Kona Green Coffee, Hawaiian honey, Hawaiian Treats like dried fruit, candy and macadamia nuts, plus Coffee scented candles and soap.
AMMA JO Collections
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AMMA JO Collections include CrossBody Bags, Wallets, Shoulder Bags, Clutches and Duffles with unique designs. The designs will add a vibrant pop of color to your customers' collection! The AMMA JO brand is all about dreams come true and bringing color to life! After a 15 year corporate career, Amma Jo launched her dream with just one handbag and $100! If you are ever in Pennsylvania, come and visit her showroom downtown Harrisburg, PA. Amma Jo works to educate and empower other women and build a collection of brands that we nurture and we look forward to introducing those collections to you over the years!
Bandilac
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Bandilac features custom, hand-crafted, laser engraved gifts and accessories, made in USA. In addition to its own designs, the company welcomes Custom and Private Label projects. With your logo, artwork or other image, Bandilac will create a personalized, custom product. With great price points, low setup charges and fast turnaround, Bandilac's Custom program provides great branding and promotional opportunities for your business.
Candles and Quotes
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Candles and Quotes' 100% All Natural All Soy Candles are made by "The Soy Sisters". They pour each and every candle by hand and use only Essential Oils to fragrance their candles, which are candles are 100% Eco-Friendly. Each candle comes with a beautiful quote, that is either meaningful, funny or down right crazy. If you don't see what you like ask "The Soy Sisters" and they will make it for you. They personalize all of our candles so your own uniqueness and quirky personality can be put on a candle. So watch what you say because it may wind up on a candle!
cinda b®
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cinda b® was created by Altlant designer Cinda Boomershine. Cinda's love for color and a passion for design, inspired her to launch her own back and accessory line. cinda b® tastefully blends solid colors with modern prints. Poly/nylon fabrics make cindab bags uniquely lightweight yet durable, water and stain resistant, and machine washable.
Coast Lamp Manufacturing
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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.
Dreams After All
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Artist Renee Rubach creates beautiful greeting cards and gift enclosure cards for all occassions. Early on, she became interested in creating greeting cards, both the designs and message. She absolutely loves creating products that people can enjoy and use.
Elegant Baby
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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. Pro ducts 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.
GetSassys
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GetSassys has fun, colorful, cool, hip gifts that are sure to bring a smile to everyones face! From flour sack towels to baby and toddler t-shirts, koozies, wooden memo holders and linens, Get Sassys designs make shopping fun!
Gina B. Designs
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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.
Green Rhino
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Miko is recognized as on of the world's leading manufacturers of sentimental gifts. Whether it is for Mom, Sister, A Loved One, Your Aunt, Your Guardian Angel or whomever, there tasteful gifts send beautiful messages to beautiful people. Economically priced with great retail appeal they are just the thing for special occassions or just to say I'm thinking of you.
Holiday Fried Pecans
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Holiday Fried Pecans' rise in popularity can be attributed to its first treat a salty, sweet 100% certified Louisiana fried pecan that is guaranteed to satisfy the most demanding of cravings. These great tasting pecans that have less fat & calories than raw pecans are a perfect addition to any store. Lightly sweet, Lightly salty and great on Salads, Sweet Potatoes, Ice Cream, Cheese Cake or as a snack. Holiday Fried Pecans...a curious and delicious flashed-fried Louisiana Pecan that's great for corporate gifts givers, retail locations, cooking, baking or solo-snacking!
Imagine Design
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Imagine Design brings you a unique variety of home decor and gift items made with the finest quality materials. Items are three-dimensional, embellished and eye-catching. But the best part? All of Imagine Design's products are made here in the U.S.A. by people with disabilities and other barriers to finding work.
Isa's Naturals
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Isa's Naturals is a forward thinking personal-care products company. Our products include therapeutic bath salts, body cleansers and moisturizers. At Isa's, we draw our inspiration from Ethnobotany - the relationship between people and plants.
JTP Wholesale
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JTP Wholesale is a wholesale website offering monogrammed bathroom tissue, coasters and a line of t-shirts for the young and old: Future Jock t-shirts and onesies and X-Jock adult t-shirts.
Optari:
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The word "Optari" comes from the Latin word "optare" (pronounced "optari"), which means "to desire." Our goal is to develop products that are fun, colorful, useful, and, most of all, that people desire. Featuring Spikeletz Glow Bandz, Spikeletz Penz, Spikeletz Journals and Mini Journals, Bracelets & Earrings.
Red Carpet Studios, Ltd.
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Red Carpet Studios, Ltd. features All Jazzed Up™ Fashion Accessories for Fall & Spring. A wide range of Giftware for the Home & Garden. Visit our website for New Products & Specials.
Richard E. Bishop
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Richard E. Bishop features Men's gifts like glass and mug sets, decanter sets, and "Tipsy Wine Glasses". Also the company features a variety of old-book-themed photo albums, binders and storage boxes.
Shadetree Greetings
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Shade Tree Greetings: is a publisher of greeting cards, magnets, notepads, and distributor of Helen Exley and Viva Editions gift books. Our products are recognized as some of the best-selling in the industry. Go to our website to browse over 500 different items. We have GREAT introductory programs and free fixtures.
Smile Drinkware
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Smile Drinkware provides custom tumblers to major brand manufacturers and also provides hundreds of unique exclusive tumbler designs to retailers and consumers. Provides high-end, top-quality insulated tumblers.
snoozies!®
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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.
SOi Essentials
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SOi Essentials is a Northern California based company that offers an array of richly scented candles to enhance your overall wellness. SOi Candles are hand-poured in the USA using 100% All Natural Food Grade Kosher Soy Oil, that burns cleaner and up to 40% longer than paraffin based, wax or soy blend candles. The company's candles are made with 100% cotton lead free wicks, are soot-free and do not emit harmful toxins (such as Benzene) into your home or the environment.
Star Home
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Star Home features tabletop and home decor for specialty retailer, catalog and online marketers, the hospitality trade and more. Star Home's designers look to all corners of the world to gather inspiration for this ever-growing market. This inspiration is then turned into real-life, high-quality products by artisan craftsmen.
Stephers Inc.
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Stephers Inc. greeting cards featuring 100% Dead Sea Bath salts, funny sea characters, and a little 'BE HAPPY' meditation to lift your spirits ~ LIFE CHANGING SEA SALTS right in your very own tub! SPA CARDS. "TRANSFORMING HUMANITY ONE BATH AT A TIME".
Sunday Greetings
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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.
Sunset Vista Designs
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Sunset Vista Designs offers you extra margin opportunities, and sells thru at retail. They offer innovative designs, in proven products, with space saving merchandising solutions, and attractive package deals that all add value to the quality products we offer. Many say this is the "best ever" line of innovative gift, garden, and home decor.
Unforgettaballs:
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"The finest collection of artwork printed on baseballs in the world" is our tagline. The products are baseballs with a variety of designs printed on them. Some are images of famous stadiums, and other baseball themes, but others are messages for special occasions or just "Cool Design Baseballs".
White Mountain Puzzles
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White Mountain is ahead of the pack when it comes to puzzles with educational content. Why not learn something while doing a puzzle? If you love to travel, why not put together an entertaining birds eye view of KEY WEST, MARTHA'S VINEYARD, BOSTON or NEW ENGLAND? Or work on a puzzle of states like MICHIGAN, ILLINOIS, OHIO, VIRGINIA, NORTH CAROLINA or GEORGIA? Or learn something about PRESIDENTIAL HISTORY or THE CIVIL WAR? These challenging projects take artists like DAVID HARRISON WRIGHT, DEB MARCONI, GARY TORISSI, and MAUREEN RUPPRECHT months to create.
Zees Inc.
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Zees Inc. has introduced innovative products designed to make eating and drinking more convenient and fun since 1993. Zees Inc. is known for beer glasses and tumblers, wine & champagne glasses, wine bottle stoppers, beer, water and soda can coolers, beverage dispensers, water bottles, cocktail glasses & mugs, lunch, beach and picnic bags, and more. All drinkware is BPA-free.
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, www.usmadewholesale.com, www.toyswholesale.com and www.usmadewholesale.com. A complete list of sites is available in the "Directory" on www.CAMEOEZ.com.
