Grand Strand Gift & Resort Merchandise Show featured strong attendance numbers and over 300 vendors at its recent event, which took place Dec. 3-6 at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The annual buying event focuses on showcasing the latest products and trends for coastal souvenir and resort retailers. Buyers come from across the country to attend the event.
“Our attendance was strong,” said Lisa Berry, group vice president of gift and souvenir at Clarion Events, which manages the Grand Strand Gift & Resort Merchandise Show, noting that the show sold out on exhibit space well-ahead of the event. “The show is a good mix between new and returning, loyal buyers.”
Berry said this year’s show featured several new vendors, including Squishable, Simply Southern, Charming Shark Tropical Accessories Inc., Billco, Moon Pie Direct and Jelly Belly Candy Co. She said the show also included some vendors with all American-made products, including Jackie Gallagher Designs, Mill Wood Art, Luxiny Products LLC, Fire & Pine, Rustic Tides and others.
Clarion Events presented two awards at this year’s Grand Strand Gift & Resort Merchandise Show: Best Made in America Product and Best New Product Award.
Luxiny Products LLC won the award for Best Made in America Product. Luxiny Products supplies natural bath, body and hair care products from its headquarters in Kimball, Michigan. According to Luxiny, its products are available in over 1,000 stores across the United States, it has partnered with sales rep organizations nationwide and has established permanent showrooms in Minnesota, Las Vegas and Dallas to showcase its product line and connect with retailers.
Kelly Zinzo, founder of Luxiny Products, founded Luxiny Products in 2019. She expressed her gratitude for the award, which highlights the company’s commitment to producing high-quality products that cater to the needs of its customers. “We are grateful for the opportunity to connect with customers nationwide and are excited about the future as we continue to expand our product offerings and reach new heights in the beauty and wellness market.”
Charming Shark Tropical Accessories received Grand Strand Gift & Resort Merchandise Show’s award for Best New Product. The company offers uniquely designed products, ranging from beaded and wrap bracelets to shark’s tooth necklaces, anklets and more.
Mikey Kapica of Charming Shark Tropical Accessories commented that the family-run business had great growth over the past three years. The company uses shows like the Grand Strand Gift & Resort Merchandise Show to spread the word about its brand and product. He added, “The show has offered us a whole new customer base, almost 100% of the orders have been new business.”
Berry said, “We are excited to be able to highlight new products and help the vendors in these categories gain new exposure for their business.”
The event also offered a show party at Myrtle Beach’s Grumpy Monk on Dec. 4 to provide buyers and vendors with both networking and fun.
“We had Dueling Pianos perform there. It was a lot of fun,” said Christina Bell, group show director at Clarion Events.
She said Clarion also gave out $2,500 in cash prizes during its party to any attendees who won drawings throughout the night. “We love that we can give back to the gift and souvenir community,” said Bell.
Bell noted that the show also offered buyers plenty of other giveaways, including goody bag giveaways the first two days of the event and multiple cash prize drawings. The show also made sure parking was paid for any and all attendees.
“It’s a neat way we can give back,” Bell said of offering cash prize drawings for buyers and paid parking. “Clarion Gift & Souvenir Events is big on hospitality. We want the buyers to have a seamless experience so that they can focus on making new connections out on the show floor.”
Berry concluded, “We were so excited to wrap up our 2023 show season in Myrtle Beach. As our last event of the year, you can feel the happy vibes. It’s a great time to celebrate, enjoy seeing familiar faces and make new connections.”
Grand Strand Gift & Resort Merchandise Show will return next year Dec. 8-11, 2024, at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center in Myrtle Beach.
