FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Press Contact: Amy Dufour 678.285.0597 | [email protected] BOSTON GIFT SHOW RETURNS MARCH 28‐31, 2015 WITH AN UNRIVALED SELECTION OF ‘WICKED GOOD’ GIFTS & UNIQUE HOME ACCENTS Saturday Opening, New Makers' Market Debut, Buyer Amenities Headline Boston Gift Show ATLANTA, GA (October 17, 2014) –As New England’s largest, most important gift show, the Boston Gift Show is the leading source of “wicked good” gifts, unique home accents and new product resources for retailers across the region. Returning to a Saturday opening at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center, the March 28‐31, 2015 edition will feature a number of new product resources, including a new, rebranded Makers’ Market handcrafted showcase along with a wide range of complimentary buyer services including the popular retail marketing bootcamp seminar series. New England retailers will have the opportunity to explore hundreds of lines conveniently organized into five product sectors on the show floor, including: Gifts Etc., Souvenir Source, Makers’ Market (formerly Handcrafted), Made In New England and Treasures to Go (immediate delivery). Among the highlights for the March 2015 Boston Gift Show: NEW! INTRODUCING MAKERS’ MARKET Bringing together artisans and designers showcasing hand‐styled crafts in all media and across all categories, the expanded and rebranded Makers' Market product section will connect retailers looking for unique designs and artisans who make them. Retailers will find even more domestic and international designs, including tabletop, ceramics, textiles, home decor, jewelry and more. Other highlights include a free educational seminar for retailers outlining sales strategies for handcrafted merchandise, the new "Best Maker" design competition and a special spotlight on American‐made designs. SEE NEW RESOURCES AT THE BOSTON GIFT SHOW The Boston Gift Show is attracting a number of new, first‐time exhibitors to the show this spring, including Altam Styleworks, artelusa (USA) cork company, Beth Stephens, ExotiX, Good Earth Soap, Jelly Belly Candy Company, Joan Jaeger Sales, Love me Knot, S.H. Cornwall, Safari Ltd., and Simp‐Q Photo Studio to name a few. This is an early sampling of new exhibitors and attendees are encouraged to check the website for an updated listing. GIVEAWAYS, SPECIALS & NEW PRODUCT DISPLAYS Retailers will have a chance to enter daily 50/50 giveaways for chances to win $50 in cash or $50 merchandise credits to use on orders with participating exhibitors. In addition, many exhibitors will offer various savings on their lines and other discounts during the show. Attendees can also visit the New Exhibitor product preview area to discover brand new lines on the show floor. TREASURES TO GO Treasures to Go will feature a vast selection of jewelry, fashion accessories and other treasures available for immediate delivery to the trade. (more) Boston Gift Show 2015 Pre‐Show Report/page 2 ONSITE BUYER SERVICES The Boston Gift Show offers a full roster of buyer services and amenities including: Goody Bag Giveaways ‐ The first 100 stores to arrive at the show on Saturday, March 28 and Sunday, March 29 will receive a special tote bag filled with product from many of the show’s exhibitors. Parking Rebate – Boston Gift Show buyers will be reimbursed up to $5 for their parking fee. Buyers will need to present their show badge and parking receipt at the special rebate desk located inside the exhibit hall. Enjoy Complimentary Refreshments and Continental Breakfast in the Buyer’s Lounge ‐ Boston Gift Show buyers can enjoy free continental breakfast, complimentary refreshments and pick up complimentary trade publications each day in the buyer’s lounge located on the show floor. URBAN RETAIL MARKETING BOOTCAMP HOSTED BY SNAP RETAIL: Attendees can choose from a number of free educational offerings, covering the latest social media and marketing techniques that are part of the popular Urban Retail Marketing Bootcamp series hosted by Snap Retail. Programs include: Saturday, March 28 Urban Retail Marketing Bootcamp: Social Selling: How to Use Facebook, Pinterest and Other Networks to Sell Online |Presented by: SnapRetail | 2:00 pm –3:00 pm Sunday, March 29 Urban Retail Marketing Bootcamp: Is Your Website Working for You? |Presented by: SnapRetail | 2:00 pm –3:00 pm Monday, March 30 Urban Retail Marketing Bootcamp: Growing Sales with Instagram and Visual Marketing|Presented by: SnapRetail | 1:00 pm –2:00 pm What’s New with SnapRetail? Customer Forum | Sponsored by: SnapRetail | 3:00 – 4:00 pm EXHIBITOR/ATTENDEE INFORMATION For exhibitor information, contact show director Erica Davidson at 678.370.0347 or edavidson@urban‐expo.com or sales manager Russ Turner at 678.370.0350 or rturner@urban‐expo.com. For attendee information, contact John Motondo at 312.470.1167 or jmotondo@urban‐expo.com BOSTON GIFT SHOW FAST FACTS WHEN: Saturday, March 28 – Tuesday, March 31, 2015 WHERE: Boston Convention & Exhibition Center ‐ Hall C, 415 Summer Street, Boston, MA 02210 HOURS: 9:30 am – 5:30 pm, Saturday – Monday; 9:30 am – 2:00 pm, Tuesday MORE INFO: www.bostongiftshow.com | 678.285.3976 (EXPO) or 800.318.2238 DISCOUNTED HOTEL RATES Visit the travel section on the show’s website – www.bostongiftshow.com or call Connections Housing at 855.246.8722. ABOUT URBAN EXPOSITIONS Urban Expositions is the largest gift, airport retail and souvenir trade show organizer in the U.S., hosting a total of 34 shows each year. In January of 1996, Urban Expositions launched the semi‐annual Philadelphia Gift Show, which has become one of the largest and most successful regional gift events in the nation. Since then, the company has continued to grow through acquisitions and new show development. Based in Kennesaw, GA, Urban Expositions offers a complete roster of trade show management services, including exhibit sales and marketing, operations, exhibitor/ attendee promotions and services, media relations, seminar and event coordination, database development and management. For more information, visit www.urban‐expo.com or call 800.318.2238. # # #