Gift Tradeshows Work Together to Launch Seattle Market Week

Staff -- Tradeshow Week, 6/12/2006

In an effort to boost attendance for both gift shows and the city, Western Exhibitors' August Seattle Gift Show is joining forces with the Seattle Gift Center's August Gift & Home Accessories Show to launch a Seattle Market Week.

The Seattle Gift Show, scheduled Aug. 19–22 at the Washington State Convention & Trade Center, has long offered shuttle service to the permanent displays at the gift center. Now, the August Gift & Home Accessories Show, scheduled Aug. 16–22 at the gift center, and the Seattle Gift Show will combine to increase promotion and put on a number of joint events during the week.

"We all know attendance can fluctuate from year to year," said Stacey Heiss, marketing director for Western Exhibitors. "We're looking for a little new blood."

Both Heiss and her counterpart at the Seattle Gift Center said the goal is to attract a national audience to Seattle by turning what for many gift retailers in the Northwest is now a quick trip to a tradeshow into a longer visit to Seattle by more people for both business and pleasure.