Angela Adams designs on soy candles

Artwork by the designer Angela Adams adorns soy candles by Crash. The designs are fired on the glass tumblers, becoming permanent, so that the glass can be reused after the candle has been consumed. The candles are made in the Chicago area, hand-poured using 100% natural soy wax, cotton wicks, and complex fragrances. The company calls itself the only candle company featuring artwork by prominent, contemporary designers on the candle itself. Crash natural soy candles also features art collections by Lotta Jansdotter, Zuz Design, and Binth.

Calypso Studios offers a variety of pink-ribbon-themed items in October in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Attendance Up at Las Vegas Gift/Resort Show

SEPTEMBER 2011 LAS VEGAS SOUVENIR & RESORT GIFT SHOW RECORDS 21.4% ATTENDANCE INCREASE; ATTRACTS INDUSTRY'S PREMIER RETAILERS 

The National Souvenir Show's Expanded Selection, Extended Date Pattern,$15.99 Hotel Rates Attract Increasing Numbers Of Buyers From Around Country

By the Las Vegas Souvenir and Resort Gift Show
The September 20-23, 2011 edition of the Las Vegas Souvenir and Resort Gift Show recorded a 21.4 % increase in attendance over the 2010 edition. Drawn by the show's extensive, targeted product selection, show-sponsored hotel rates starting as low as $15.99, and a growing reputation as the "must-attend" national industry event, souvenir and resort buyers from casinos, theme parks, museums, zoos, aquariums and premier tourist destinations flocked to the sixth annual edition at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

"This marks the show's third straight year of significant attendance increases and I attribute this growth to the wonderful feedback we continue to receive from our exhibitors and buyers," explains Doug Miller, president, Urban Expositions. "When we launched this show six years ago, our goal was to create a national event that truly catered to the specialized business needs of the souvenir and resort industry. From requests to extend the show dates, to input on ways to fine-tine and enhance the show floor selection, we have worked hard to act upon industry suggestions to ensure that we are offering the very best possible business and networking event."

More than 20% larger than the 2010 edition, the 2011 Las Vegas Souvenir & Resort Gift Show was extended from three to four days to give buyers the extra time needed to explore new resources after completing long appointments and detailed product development meetings with vendors. Bringing together more than 1000 booths, the show highlighted the newest designs and introductions from top-name brands and innovative newcomers in destination, resort and tourist merchandise, souvenirs, t-shirts, beach items, coastal and nautical, lake, mountain and lodge, ski-themed products, logo products, shell items, giftware, jewelry/fashion accessories, toys/games and more.The additional time and expanded selection received rave reviews from attending retailers.

"We love working this show and the extra day has been a tremendous benefit," explained Terri Scheunemann, Como Zoo & Conservatory, St . Paul, MN. "The show's timing is also perfect in that it gives us time for product development for the next season."

"This is the only show that can get us to leave our stores during our busy season," added Dave Coates, Skagway Mining, Ketchikan, AK. "This is simply the show you must attend."

"This has become the show I do the majority of my buying from, " agreed Lisa Racutt, M&K Enterprises, Las Vegas. "This year was the best ever."

"I loved exploring the expanded selection. This show brings together the top notch people at the top of the game," noted Lorraine Massey, Multnomah Falls Lodge, Troutdale, OR.

Exhibitors reports of brisk order-writing and new business added to the buzz on the show floor.

"This show, by far, has the best qualified buyers in the industry," explained Pablo Merlo Flores, Pampeana. "It's one of the least expensive shows to attend with the highest quality of buyer orders ..always."

"We've had great traffic at this show," added John Potts, Duck Company. "It's been an excellent show and we've seen a good mix of buyers from everywhere."

"The show improves by leaps and bounds every year," said Bruce Miller, Karol Western. "No souvenir buyer should miss it!"

Further strengthening the growing buyer base, Urban Expositions worked with leading industry associations like the National Association of Retail Buyers (NARB), the Zoo & Aquarium Buyers Group (ZAG) and others to host seminars, hospitality and networking events for their members during the show.

The next edition will be held September 11-14, 2012 in Hall C of the Las Vegas Convention Center. The Urban Expositions management team is already working on programs and promotions to ensure the show's continued growth. Urban will continue to invest a significant part of the show's marketing budget to buy down hotel rates at quality properties to once again offer rates starting in the $15.99 range. In addition to maintaining the four-day date pattern, Urban will also work to continue enhancing the show's product depth in a number of categories identified by the show's retail advisory board, including more gourmet food products, books/publishers and other souvenir/resort niche items. Exhibitor/Attendee Information

For exhibitor information, contact Lisa Glosson, Urban Expositions, 1690 Roberts Blvd, NW, Suite 111, Kennesaw, GA 30144. Phone: 678.370.0334, e-mail: lglosson[at]urban-expo.com.

For buyer information or to register, attendees can contact Briana Mackey at bmackey[at]urban-expo.com or Jhana Jordan at jjordan[at]@urban-expo.com or call 800.318.2238 or visit www.lvsouvenirshow.com.

Record Attendance at New York Market

7 W HOME FASHIONS MARKET WEEK DRAWS RECORD ATTENDANCE

A Well-Received Show Featuring New and Unique Product Offerings 

By 7 W New York  
Hot on the heels of a recent series of successful markets, 7 W New York hosted a rewarding and productive Home Fashions Market, September 19-23. The building’s entire roster of top-notch home fashion suites were ready for attendees, with a wide range of products from elegant classic to cutting-edge chic.

According to Chris Collins, VP & President, 7 W New York, "Our Home Fashions Market Week was an extraordinary success! Once again, we endured very difficult financial news right in the middle of the market. However, it seemed to have no effect on the good mood and positive approach that buyers and sellers displayed throughout the week. All reported a great market while showrooms across the board where thrilled with the results of the week’s meetings and the enthusiasm of the buyers."

The building houses some of the most dynamic names in home fashion such as Berkshire Blanket, Bellino Fine Linens, Peking Handicraft and Abhiasmi Inc. – Jovi Home, just to name a few. With an increase in associate buyers accompanying main buyers and the finest and most exclusive merchandise, it is no wonder 7 W reported a 20% uptick in attendance over last year- a clear sign 7 W is an invaluable resource.

Betsy Blancett, a buyer from Soft Surroundings in St. Louis, commented, “This market has been extremely productive. We’ve seen a lot of fashion-forward products and are very excited to be here.

Patricia Feiwell, a New York- based designer, “I love this building’s bright and open layout because you can see everything. In addition, 7 W is a fantastic source for textiles. I’ve visited every floor!”

The week’s new suites, including Kaleen Rugs, Berkshire Blanket, Nishat Chunian Ltd. and Texstyle Bolan USA experienced a positive reception, while Sam Salem and Son and aaa Bath Fashions, in newly expanded suites, were able to wow show-goers with more fresh and appealing merchandise than ever before.

Temporary suites Charisma, Inovatex, NuSteel by Tatara and CMN International enjoyed recognition; and the second annual Home Textiles Today’s Global Interiors Home Collection Show was met with considerable enthusiasm and interest.

Kirk Shipley, VP, Sales and Marketing, Texstyle Bolan USA, remarked, “It’s only the first day and already there are many people coming through. The building is fresh, we like our new space and customers are positive about it. We have some very unusual new merchandise…so far, so good!”

Joe Barkely, Executive VP, Kaleen Rugs, stated, "The national account is here so we need to be here. We see a lot of promise with this showroom and, although we've only been here a short time, we've already seen a lot of success."

Richard Eidler, VP, Sales and Product Development, Sam Salem and Son, commented, “We are thrilled to be at 7 W. it’s a great location and we love our new space.”

For complete and continually updated information about 7 W New York, keep visiting www.7wnewyork.com. You can also find 7 W on Facebook and follow them on Twitter.

7 W NEW YORK® is a wholesale mart building, catering to the buyers of Home Décor, Table Top, Giftware, Textiles, Decorative Accessories, Fine Arts and related industries. Located at 7 W 34th Street, its daily hours of operation are Monday through Friday, from 9 am to 5 pm with extended hours during special market weeks. 7 W New York is a trademark of Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc. (MMPI).

MMPI is the world’s leading owner and operator of showroom buildings and trade show facilities, bringing buyers and sellers together in more than 300 market events, trade and consumer shows and conferences each year. MMPI manages The Merchandise Mart and 350 West Mart Center in Chicago; Market Square, the Suites at Market Square, Hamilton Market, Plaza Suites, Furniture Plaza and the National Furniture Mart in High Point, N.C.; the Architects & Designers Building and 7 W New York in New York; the Boston Design Center in Boston; the L.A. Mart in Los Angeles; and the Washington Design Center and Federal Center Southwest in Washington D.C.

VORNADO REALTY TRUST, owners of MMPI, based in New York City, is a fully integrated equity real estate investment trust. Vornado’s common shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange and are traded under the symbol VNO.

High Point Market to Showcase Six Causes That Matter

By The High Point Market

The home furnishings industry is known for its generosity and support of those in need. To reflect that giving spirit, the High Point Market is sponsoring Six Causes That Matter, a complement to the Market’s tagline, The Next Six Days That Matter.

Each day of Market, which runs Oct. 22-27, a charity will be spotlighted at the home furnishings trade show, offering an opportunity for exhibitors and attendees to make a donation to that day’s charity. Promotion of the charities will include signage, lapel pins, social media, press alerts, and more. Exhibitors who participate will receive showroom signs to highlight their participation in that day’s cause during Market.

The Six Causes That Matter this October will include:
Oct. 22 – City of Hope, in honor of Lynn Davis
Oct. 23 – Susan G. Komen
Oct. 24 – Habitat for Humanity
Oct. 25 – American Red Cross
Oct. 26 – National Furniture Bank
Oct. 27 – Open Door Ministries

Companies interested in participating can go to www.highpointmarket.org/causes to register. More information is also available there about each of the charities. These Six Causes were chosen because of their strong ties to the home furnishings industry, but the High Point Market Authority plans to continue the Six Causes campaign throughout the year and will offer other charities the opportunity to be involved.