Key buyers sourcing one-of-a-kind products and trends create vibrant market at California Gift Show

Quality Attendees In Search of Exceptional New Products Shop Winter Show

WHITE PLAINS, NY, February 6, 2007…As a distinctive venue for one-of-a-kind, unique product from around the world, the winter edition of the California Gift Show® again delivered a wealth of exceptional global resources, setting trends in multiple gift categories, January 19- 22, 2007, at the Los Angeles Convention Center.  From fashion accessories to personal care, home décor to stationery, the new offerings of 1,400 companies from 35 countries were well-received by the Show’s 24,000 attendees. The “aList” product and trends display and an all-new World Style Auction were among market highlights. 

“Bringing together a diverse mix of domestic and international products, the California Gift Show’s innovative product launches reflect the global lifestyle and ethnic fusion that has made Los Angeles a leading international design center,” said Aubin Wilson, show director. “This global marketplace creates a comprehensive West Coast buyers’ venue that attracts high-calibre attendees from throughout the region and the country,” she added.

An all-new World Style Auction and wine and cheese reception kicked off the winter edition of the Show.  Highlighting the diverse, one-of-a-kind resources found in the World Style division, the event featured a live auctioneer and offered 15 specially selected craft pieces donated by top World Style exhibitors.  Proceeds from the event, totaling more than three thousand dollars, will benefit Aid to Artisans’ (ATA) Small Grants Program, which helps provide assistance to artisans throughout the globe, positively impacting the cultural vitality and well-being of their communities.

“Aid to Artisans was honored to be the partner and beneficiary of GLM’s California Gift Show World Style Auction,” said Karen Gibbs, senior director, market alliances and strategies, ATA. “The Auction was a lively and dynamic event that brought attention to the importance that artisans play in the Show’s World Style division. With the support from the Auction, particularly the World Style exhibitors that donated items and the attendees that purchased them, ATA will be able to provide new grants to small artisan groups working to reach the U.S. market,” she added.

The unique, juried World Style division features contemporary and traditional furnishings, antiques, artifacts, crafts, jewelry and apparel, alternative trade and Native American and Southwestern gifts. World Style exhibitors that donated product to the Auction included: A Lost Art (Beverly Hills, CA), Asian Art Imports (Van Nuys, CA), Badia Designs (North Hollywood, CA), Cheppu Himal (Carmel Valley, CA), Echery Pottery Company (Patzacaro, Michioacan, Mexico) F.T. Renner Company (Carmel Valley, CA), Jewels (Santa Fe, NM), La Vida Verde, Inc. (Freeland, WA), Ramona Enterprises Inc. (San Francisco, CA), Rhythm Fusion Inc. (Santa Cruz, CA),  Sam Hilu’s Collection (New York, NY), Santa Fe Crafts, Inc. (Altadena, CA), Shiraleah (Chicago, IL), Swahili Imports, Inc. (Eugene, OR) and Tesoros Trading Company (Austin, TX). Winning bids were placed by top retailers including the San Diego Zoo, The Folk Tree, Edwards Jewelers and Tesoros.

The California Gift Show’s “aList” – an opportunity for retailers to immerse themselves in the latest new products and trends – was again featured. At the Show, the “aList” display featured four key themes: travel, multi-cultural, wearables and licensing, featuring the latest products and lifestyle directions including merchandise with an ethnic sensibility and culturally diverse perspective from throughout the Show’s 12 divisions. Attendees can register to receive the “aList” newsletter by visiting www.californiagiftshow.com. 

From veteran retailers to new buyers, response to the Show was overwhelmingly positive:
 
“We are a 53-store chain of vitamin, health, sports and fitness stores in Arizona. We are excited to find many related products at the California Gift Show to tie in with our wellness products. These impulse and specialty gifts have added a new dimension to our store, broadening our customer base. We will definitely be back for the July show!”
Terry Lindheimer, Buyer
Hi Health Corp., Scottsdale, AZ
 
“The California Gift Show is a wonderful resource to find a great variety of products across many categories. We know we can count on quality, innovation and product integrity in one of the many juried sections of the show. We have shopped this show for over 15 years and have not missed one yet.”
Ron Wallace & John Olivastro, Owners
3 Monkeys, Portland, OR
 
“We have been attending the California Gift Show for more than 25 years and we keep coming back for more. The show continues to offer us fresh new products and new resources, and it’s all here in Southern California. Shelby and Fiolmena Quintana, Owners
Fely’s Gift Shop, Helendale, CA

“We have been coming to the California Gift Show for at least 15 years. This is the most important show for our business and we are constantly finding new resources and doing business with new companies. The show is dynamic and vibrant and reflects the current trends and many new design resources emerging from the gift industry.”
Mort and Anita Green, Owners
Smart Shopper, West Hills, CA

The semi-annual California Gift Show is managed by George Little Management, LLC (GLM®), on behalf of dmg world media. The 146th edition will take place Friday, July 20 - Monday, July 23, 2007, at the Los Angeles Convention Center. The Show will feature more than 5,000 product lines and attract 25,000 attendees. Some 1,400 exhibitors will participate throughout 12 divisions: At Home; Boutique; EX•TRACTS®; Fashion Accessories; Gifts, Etc.; Handmade®; Jewelry (Cash & Carry); LA Contemporary; Resort; Souvenir & Licensing; Sources®; Stationery & More and World Style.