Semi-Annual Portland Gift & Accessories Show®, January 5 Through Tuesday, January 8, 2002

Furniture World Magazine

The 141st semi-annual Portland Gift & Accessories Show®, which takes place Saturday, January 5 through Tuesday, January 8, 2002, is the first gift market of the spring buying season. The Portland show will feature many emerging manufacturers and artisans that can only be found at this growing market, and 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 features 650 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 56,514 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 5,200 buyers are expected to attend the show. "Western Exhibitors continues to enhance our sales efforts to entice key exhibiting companies to procure booth space at the January 5-8, 2002 Portland Gift & Accessories Show®. To this end, we are returning our ‘Buyer Invitational Program’ where vendors can send Show Management a list of retailers they would most like to see at the winter market. We will then take care of all the travel and accommodations for them. Due to our efforts, the Portland retail community will find some of the most innovative and unique products as well as special incentives offered by exhibitors," said Kelly McLoughlin, Show Manager of the Portland Gift & Accessories Show®, Western Exhibitors, LLC. Portland Gift & Accessories Statistics Number of Booths: 650 Net Square Footage: 56,514 Anticipated Buyer Attendance: 5,200 Programs The Portland Gift & Accessories Show® will feature a completely revamped educational programming specifically designed to educate retailers in making their stores more profitable. The following will outline some of the topics: financial savvy and inventory control, making more money in the retail business, gaining more retail savvy, customer service and visual merchandise. Seminar/workshop attendees will be able to 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 7, 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 4—"Make Your Store More Profitable Day"—will kick off the winter seminar program with a NEW all day, pre-show workshop that will encompass a financial focus, Open-To-Buy (inventory control), budgeting and evaluating the attendees store fiscally—this program will be led by retail expert Andrew Andoniadis. On Saturday, January 5, "Make More Money In Your Retail Store Day" will feature retail expert, consultant and author Rick Segel discussing practical and easy ways to increase profitability. Becoming a smarter business owner is a retailer’s goal and "Retail Savvy Day," Sunday, January 6, with retail expert and consultant Andrew Andoniadis will give attendees 10 ways to avoid common pitfalls and learn up-to-the-minute retail information. Popular speaker and motivator Sue Kirby will lead both seminars on "Re-energize Your Store And Profit Day," Monday, January 7, 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.) Exhibitor/Attendee Information For exhibitor information regarding the Portland Gift & Accessories Show®, contact Kelly McLoughlin at 415.447.3234. Fax: 415.346.4965. E-mail: Kelly@weshows.com or David Gilfoyle at 415.447.3232. Fax: 415.346.4965. E-mail: David@weshows.com. Additional information can be found by visiting Western Exhibitors’ interactive web site at www.portlandgift.com. For buyer information, contact Western Exhibitors, LLC, 2181 Greenwich Street, San Francisco, CA 94123. Phone: 800.346.1212 (outside Bay Area); 415.346.0168 (within San Francisco Bay Area). Fax: 415.346.4965. E-mail: showinfo@weshows.com. Additional information can be found by visiting Western Exhibitors’ interactive web site at www.portlandgift.com.