Before the Philadelphia Gift Show wrapped up on Feb. 6, two exhibitors were crowned with distinctions of best new product and best booth.
Located in Ellsworth, Michigan, Wood Chart was recognized as best new product, says Morgan Harper, senior marketing manager for Clarion Events, the show’s organizer.
The company is known for creating 3D laser cut wood charts that capture the topography of cliffs, beaches, mountains, shorelines and waterways in detail, according to the company’s website.
Harper says the show’s award recipients are “selected by show management and rely heavily on buyer/attendee feedback and interest.”
“Woodcraft stood out to our team and buyers alike because of the well-thought-out booth and product innovations they brought to the Philadelphia Gift Show,” Harper notes.
Meanwhile, WANTED1878 beard care products took home top honors for the best booth.
Mary O’Melia, owner of the company, said she thought Clarion’s Senior Sales Manager, Jeannie Dorchak, was teasing her when she told her she won.
“Honestly, I thought she was kidding because it was my birthday,” O’Melia says with a laugh.
She adds she completely revamped her booth after the Gatlinburg shows and went from a plain, black tablecloth to a new look that included a wooden entryway table, an old-fashioned apothecary shop in the front, her grandmother’s lace doilies and a freshly designed medicine mercantile stand. She says she believes the look of the booth now encompasses the heart of her brand.
She adds that anyone looking to “wow” guests at shows with their booth should seek to give their company an identity.
“Look around and see what’s already there and go outside the box,” she recommends. “Make sure it all mashes together, make sure it’s a good mix, but make sure that you’re not taking something somebody else already did and just changing it a little bit. You want to stand out.”
O’Melia believes she did just that, as retailers who couldn’t even use her products were stopping to look at them.
“You should have heard all of the positive comments,” she notes. “I’m very grateful.”
The Hartly, Delaware based company makes all-natural beard care, soaps, lip balms and essential oils.
