What are You Missing?

Tuesday August 26, 2008 •  

ewsplash-showfloor.jpgOne of the best pieces of advice I give new gift basket retailers is start where you are. This applies not just to getting your first customers. It also applies to keeping up with trends, replenishing inventory, getting marketing ideas and maintaining your enthusiasm.The more you can use vendors, suppliers and manufacturers near you, the more you save time, money and energy. Ultimately, this means more profits for you. 

One of the best places to find all of these things is at tradeshows. While the major tradeshows seem to take place in January and July, there are hundreds of other gift, beverage and gourmet tradeshows throughout the year where you can benefit, some of them near or in your area. 

If you don’t know about these shows, of course, you can’t participate. So, each day this week I will spotlight a tradeshow on my blog. Not only will you get links to registration, but also a sampling of a few of the exhibitors who will be attending that show.  

Yesterday I spotlighted the Las Vegas Souvenir and Gift Show. Check out which show I spotlight today and the rest of the week. 

Not all suppliers will exhibit at tradeshows, however. I’ve discovered some great sources of baskets, enhancements, shipping supplies within a few miles of my studio. You can too. To learn how, listen to Shirley Frazier and me share simple techniques for finding products in and around your town, on a special audio CD , “How to Find Products In and Around Your State.” 

You can also see what you’ve been missing in your area by searching the tradeshows grouped by state on my website here. 

Filed Under Gift basket business, gift shows, tradeshows