Bookselling

2001: A Gift Show Odyssey
Cynthia Clark -- 11/27/00
PW's annual directory of national gift shows to help booksellers find unusual sidelines


The National Stationery Show
at NYC's Javits Center
expects 1,400 exhibitors.
Gift and other closely related trade shows are superb sources of fresh sidelines ideas via new companies as well as new products. Many shows repeat seasonally, and most major metropolitan areas sponsor sizeable expositions. Here, with help from Tradeshow Week, is PW's selected show calendar for the year 2001 (dates are subject to change, call to confirm).
Shows that are held multiple times per year are listed according to the first occurrence. Some shows that look to be comparable semiannual events are listed separately if they take place at different locations and are organized by different companies.

Philadelphia Gift Show, Jan. 7-10, Fort Washington Expo Center, Fort Washington, Pa. 500 exhibitors. (770) 952-6444.

Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market, Jan. 13-17, July 14-18, Americas Mart, Atlanta. 2,260 exhibitors. (404) 220-2219.

Dallas International Gift & Home Accessories Show, Jan. 13-16, Dallas Market Center, Dallas. (914) 421-3290.

Portland Gift & Accessories Show, Jan. 13-16, June 23-26, Oregon Convention Center, Portland. 400 exhibitors. (415) 346-6666.

Pittsburgh Gift Show, Jan. 14-17; Aug. 6-9, Pittsburgh Expo Mart, Monr ville, Pa. 200 exhibitors. (716) 254-2580.

Gift, Decorative Accessories & Furniture Festival, Jan. 16-23, July 17-24, L.A. Mart, Los Angeles. 400 exhibitors. (213) 673-5800.

Washington Gift Show (with Beckman's Handcrafted Gift Show), Jan. 16--19, July 22-25, Capital Expo Center, Chantilly, Va. 220 exhibitors. (914) 421-3200.

Caribbean Gift & Variety Merchandise Show, Jan. 19-21, Roberto Clemente Coliseum, San Juan, Puerto Rico. 250 exhibitors. (787) 781-3050.

San Francisco Design & Furnishing Show/California Winter & Summer Markets, Jan. 19-22, July 20-23, Concourse Exhibition Center, San Francisco. 250 exhibitors. (415) 490-5800.

California Gift Show (with Beckman's Handcrafted Gift Show Los Angeles), Jan. 20-23, July 21-24, Los Angeles Convention Center, Los Angeles. 2,000 exhibitors. (800) 395-3901.

JA International Jewelry Show, Jan. 20-23, July 29-Aug. 1, Jacob Javits Convention Center, New York City. 700 exhibitors. (212) 615-2937.

New Orleans Gift & Jewelry Show, Jan. 20- 23, July 28-31, Ernest Morial Convention Center, New Orleans. 600 exhibitors. (630) 241-9865.

New York International Gift Fair, Jan. 20-25, Jacob Javits Convention Center, New York City. 2,800 exhibitors. (914) 421-3200.

Offinger's Handcrafted Marketplace, Jan. 20-21, Veterans Memorial Building, Columbus, Ohio. 100 exhibitors. (740) 452-4541.

Canadian Gift & Tableware Association Show, Jan. 28-Feb. 1, Aug. 12-16, International Centre & Toronto Congress Centre, Toronto. 930 exhibitors. (416) 679-0170.

Canadian Toy & Hobby Fair, Jan. 28-30, Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Toronto. 120 exhibitors. (905) 893-1689.

Western New York Gift Show, Feb. 6-9, July 15-18, Dome Center, Rochester, N.Y. 150 exhibitors. (716) 254-2580.

Alberta Gift Show, Feb. 11-14, Aug. 12-15, Northlands Park & Edmonton Coliseum, Edmonton. 900 exhibitors. (604) 412-2271.

American International Toy Fair, Feb. 11- 15, Jacob Javits Convention Center, New York City. 1,600 exhibitors. (212) 675-1141.

Buyers Market of American Craft, Feb. 16-19, July 12-14, Pennsylvania Convention Center, Philadelphia. 1,450 exhibitors. (410) 889-2933.

Toronto Gift Show, Feb. 18-21, July 22- 25, National Trade Centre, Toronto. 800 exhibitors. (416) 385-1880.

ACC Craft Market Baltimore, Feb. 20- 22, Baltimore Convention Center, Baltimore. 1,100 exhibitors. (914) 833-6100.

Denver Merchandise Mart Gift, Jewelry & Resort Show, Feb. 24-27, Aug. 25-28, Denver Merchandise Mart, Denver. 625 exhibitors. (800) 289-6278.

Boston Gift Show, March 4-7, Bayside Exposition Center, Boston. 620 exhibitors. (914) 421-3216.

Midwest Jewelry Expo, March 11-12, Marriott Hotel, Madison, Wis. 180 exhibitors. (608) 257-3541.

Vancouver Gift Show, March 11-13, Sept. 9-11, British Columbia Place Stadium, Vancouver. 550 exhibitors. (604) 433-5121.

Ohio State Gift Show, March 18-19, Veterans Memorial Building, Columbus, Ohio. 150 exhibitors. (740) 452-4541.

CAMEX 2001/Campus Market Expo, April 6-10, Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, New Orleans. 650 exhibitors. (440) 775-7777.

National Stationery Show, May 20-23, Jacob Javits Convention Center, New York City. 1,400 exhibitors. (914) 421-3200.

BookExpo America, June 1-3, McCormick Place, Chicago. 2,300 exhibitors. (203) 840-5463.

Offinger's Handcrafted Marketplace, July 14-15, Gwinnett Civic & Cultural Center, Duluth, Ga. (740) 452-4541.

Association of Crafts & Creative Industries Show, July 20-23, Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, Rosemont, Ill. 800 exhibitors. (740) 452-4541.

Florida International Gift Show, July 28-31, Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, Fla. 500 exhibitors. (770) 952-6444.

National Merchandise Show, Sept. 7-10, Jacob Javits Convention Center, New York City. 1,200 exhibitors. (212) 714-1300.

East Coast Gift Expo, Nov. 17-20, Ocean City Convention Center, Ocean City, Md. (678) 285-3976.