|
FROM HOT FASHION TO COOL SUSTAINABILITY,
THE CALIFORNIA GIFT SHOW DEFINES TRENDS
- New Resource Areas Will Spotlight Sustainable, Vintage, Food and New;
Ed Begley, Jr. To Lead New Green Trend Panel –
WHITE
PLAINS, NY, April 21, 2008…As a leading West Coast trendsetter – from the pop
culture of Southern California to the universal health of the planet – the
summer edition of the California Gift Show® will launch exciting new resource
areas including a Sustainable
Furniture Council Pavilion, The Vintage Collection division,
a ‘Launch’ section for companies new to the market and a ‘Food Focus’
neighborhood. A Green/Sustainable Trend Panel led by actor and environmental
activist Ed Begley, Jr., and a new product-centered stageshow – “Postcards
from L.A.” – will bump up the market’s cutting-edge ambiance. The Show will
take place July 18-21, 2008, at the Los Angeles Convention Center.
“A full spectrum of opportunities – literally ‘everything under the sun’ –
will be available at the California Gift Show this summer,” said Angelia
Singleton, show manager. “An exciting array of new products, new features and
new sections will be launched, meeting the needs of Show participants on both
sides of the aisle. As the resources of more than 300 first-time exhibitors
are unveiled, retailers will witness trends in the making at the upcoming
market.”
MARKET HIGHLIGHTS
Sustainable
Furniture Council Pavilion
In line with its commitment to eco-friendly initiatives, the California Gift
Show and the Sustainable Furniture Council will partner to present a
Sustainable Furniture Council Pavilion within the At Home division of
the Show, presenting manufacturing members of the Council. The Sustainable
Furniture Council is a non-profit coalition created to promote sustainable
practices among manufacturers, retailers and consumers.
Vintage Collection
The Show’s new Vintage Collection division will feature an impressive
gathering of period, antique and one-of-a-kind items appropriate for display
as well as resale, offering buyers a unique selection of retro resources from
some 20 companies, available for immediate delivery.
‘Launch’ and Boutique Division
‘Launch’ – an area for companies that are new to the market, will round
out the Show’s newly redefined Boutique division, bringing together
innovative, design-driven products from across the gift spectrum. Designed to
showcase innovative artisans in their first appearance at a wholesale market,
‘Launch’ will be a source of fresh concepts and creative designs.
The revitalized Boutique division will feature
a stylized gallery of juried companies, creating a new lifestyle section at
the Show. This upscale division will be an exciting destination where buyers
will find trend-forward, innovative, design-driven products across all
categories. Boutique will spotlight fun and funky fashion accessories,
including jewelry, watches, handbags and belts, as well as home decorative
accessories, tabletop and housewares, stationery and personal care products.
‘Food Focus’
Presenting specialty and gourmet food products, a new ‘Food Focus’
neighborhood also will launch within the Gifts Etc. division,
showcasing the offerings of some 30 participating exhibitors.
PROGRAMS AND EVENTS
Green/Sustainable
Trend Panel
Leading the Show’s program line-up will be a cutting-edge Green/Sustainable
Trend Panel led by actor and environmentalist Ed Begley, Jr. Begley, who
serves on the boards of numerous environmental organizations and has earned
awards from many others, currently lives near Los Angeles in a
self-sufficient home powered by solar energy. He will be joined by a panel of
four leading proponents of green retailing and manufacturing practices,
including Susan Inglis, executive director, Sustainable Furniture Council.
Flaunt – “Postcards from California”
Reigniting ‘The Platform’ venue at the summer Show will be an all-new
edition of Flaunt – “Postcards from California” – an action-packed,
fashion-driven stage event bringing product to life and inspiring retailers
throughout the Show. “Postcards from California” will consist of four
vignettes “framed’ to create a living postcard from sunny California,”
including: ‘Class,’ oozing with high-class elegance, spotlighting more
formal, posh furnishings and accessories; ‘Free Spirit,’ an earthy vignette
showcasing natural, handmade and eco-friendly product; ‘Urban,’ with a truly
funky vibe and L.A. street-style theme, featuring hip, contemporary and edgy
fashion; and ‘Chic,’ a glamorous, high-fashion moment showing off the sparkle
of L.A.’s nightlife style.
Seminars
Additional informational sessions will address website development, gift
baskets and visual merchandising. All programs will be presented at ‘The
Platform’ and offered on a complimentary basis to show participants.
RESOURCES
ECO - Earth Conscious Options™
ECO
- Earth Conscious Options™ will continue as a category for identifying
eco-friendly and fair trade product, as well as the offerings of companies
that donate a portion of their proceeds to humanitarian or sustainable
causes. ECO exhibitors will be acknowledged in the Show’s directories and
onsite booth signage.
‘Handmade in the U.S.A.’
Handcrafted pieces from accomplished makers and artisans will be found
throughout the Show, from ceramics to textiles, décor to jewelry and apparel.
‘Handmade in the U.S.A.’ exhibitors also will be acknowledged in the Show’s
directories and onsite booth signage.
International
The summer Show will have representation from some 30 countries and
nearly 300 first-time participants. Handcrafted and fair-trade items will
again be a trademark of the market and in particular the Show’s signature World
Style division. Participating countries will include Austria, Botswana,
Brazil, Burkina Faso, Canada, China, Germany, Ghana, India, Indonesia,
Israel, Italy, Mexico, Nepal, Philippines, South Africa, Taiwan, Thailand the
United Kingdom and Vietnam.
‘New Product Showcase’
An expanded ‘New Product Showcase’ – launched successfully at the winter
market – will feature a comprehensive display of innovative products being
introduced at the Show.
Buyer Amenities
An Internet Lounge and a Buyer Lounge also will be located on the
showfloor for the convenience of buyers.
The semi-annual California Gift Show is managed by GLM®, a dmg world media
business. The 147th edition will take place Friday, July 18 - Monday, July
21, 2008, at the Los Angeles Convention Center, attracting 22,000 attendees.
Some 1,100 exhibitors will participate throughout nine divisions: At Home;
Boutique; EX•TRACTS®; Fashion Accessories; Gifts, Etc.; Jewelry (Cash &
Carry); Resort, Souvenir & Licensing; Stationery & More, The Vintage
Collection and World Style.
For exhibitor information, contact Angelia Singleton, show manager, at (213)
430-2356, or at angelia_singleton@glmshows.com.
For attendee information, please contact GLM Customer Relations at (800)
272-SHOW (7469) or (603) 665-7524. Additional information and registration
are available online at www.californiagiftshow.com.
Joyce Bollegar
Divisional Manager
West Coast Gift Shows
T: (213) 430-2315
jbollegar@glmshows.com
www.westcoastgiftshows.com
Summer 2008 Show Schedule
California Gift
Show
7/18 - 21
www.californiagiftshow.com
San Francisco Gift
Show 7/26 - 29
www.sfigf.com
Seattle Gift
Show
8/16 - 19
www.seattlegift.com
|
