Urban Expositions has acquired the California Gift Show (CGS) from Merchandise Mart Properties Inc. (MMPI). This acquisition further solidifies Urban Expositions’ plans to unify the Southern California marketplace and the surrounding areas. As a result, Urban has cancelled plans to introduce a new LA Gift Show in Anaheim in order to focus on expanding the California Gift Show.
The official transition will take place following the semi-annual CGS show at the Los Angeles Convention Center, July 25-31. Following the show, Urban Expositions will take over the sales, marketing and all other operations going into the January 25-28, 2013, and future editions of the California Gift Show. Urban will work closely with MMPI during the July show to ensure that the ownership transition is smooth.
Part of Urban’s bigger plans for the California Gift Show include expanding its exhibitor base with a winter 2013 show featuring more than 2,000 domestic and international lines. The decision to purchase CGS was based on the fact that L.A. Mart was up for sale, and Urban Expositions saw the perfect opportunity to continue to expand the California market with the CGS.
“We are so excited about the Southern California market,” said Doug Miller, president, Urban Expositions. “We seized the opportunity to buy this show as we felt it could accelerate our efforts to rebuild the southern California gift market’s brand as a leading trend, product and style resource.
“Our original plans to launch a new event in Anaheim were grounded in our firm belief that the timing and market conditions were right to pour significant resources into bringing a fresh, vibrant show to the region’s substantial buyer base. We’ll be able to accomplish this goal much quicker and better serve the overall marketplace by using those same resources to build upon the foundation of the established California Gift Show and the synergistic opportunities that exist with neighboring permanent showroom buildings.”
Urban plans to feature nine product categories in 2013, which it believes are well-suited to the west coast retail audience. Core CGS section Kentia Hall, which includes Jewelry Cash and Carry, World Style and Vintage, will remain as is.
In addition to new products, order-writing will be expanded to include Design LA, Handcrafted, Gifts, Personal Style (including Spa), in addition to two new categories: Outdoor Living and Boardwalk. Outdoor Living will focus on the casual lifestyle unique to Southern California, and Boardwalk will feature souvenir, resort, beach and board sport resources.
Miller said that the existing Beckman’s Handcrafted Show, which took place alongside the California Gift Show each January and July will continue to take place in Chicago but will no longer run during the California Gift Show beginning in 2013. Once under Urban Expositions, the 2013 CGS will feature its own handcrafted show as part of the new rebuilding.
“Under the leadership of Urban Expositions, the California Gift Show will continue to lead the southern California gift market into its next iteration,” said Mark Falanga, president, MMPI. “We’re very pleased that Urban Expositions will continue to direct this positive industry momentum. Urban Expositions is well-equipped to bring the California Gift Show into the next generation, and that is why we transitioned it to them. The Urban Expositions team will be great stewards for this show and will infuse it with significant resources, energy, enthusiasm, and fresh ideas that will stabilize the Southern California Giftware marketplace.”
This is one of several recent purchases by Urban Expositons within the past year. Urban purchased the Portland Gift Show and West Coast Cash and Carry Shows from Western Exhibitors last December. In 2009, Urban also purchased the San Francisco International Gift Fair and Seattle Gift Show from dmg world media and launched the Las Vegas Souvenir and Resort Gift Show in 2007.
“We are heavily invested in the western U.S., committed to the long-term growth of each of our ventures here and well-poised to take a leadership role for the Southern California marketplace,” said Miller.
