The New England Made Giftware and Specialty Food Show wrapped its spring edition in Portland, Maine, with a positive vibe according to Stefa Normantas, show producer, New England Made Shows.
“It was really upbeat, which it usually is,” Normantas said of the 41st annual show. “Everybody that’s on the floor has this vibe of New England creativity and quality.”
This year’s March 15–17 show hosted 60 new exhibitors among the aisles of vendors. “Some of them are new emerging businesses and others are stable businesses that have been around forever, that just are finally making it to New England,” explained Normantas.
The show draws buyers from approximately 20 states, ranging from major retailers like L.L. Bean and Whole Foods to independent gift shops, museum stores and local country stores.
“Anything that you would imagine coming up the coastline of New England — that is who attends the show,” Normantas said. “What they’re looking for is something unique, something that differentiates their shop. And this is where they find it.”
Normantas said the show is known for spotlighting emerging talent and for being especially supportive of small businesses transitioning into wholesale. Partnerships with small business development centers and other local business organizations help provide educational resources and a welcoming environment for first-time exhibitors.
“At its core, the New England Made Show is about helping businesses grow,” said Normantas, Show Producer of New England Made Shows. “From connecting with new buyers to gaining exposure and industry feedback, this event is designed to support New England makers at every stage. Whether you're just starting out or an established brand, the show offers a platform to grow, connect, and thrive. We’re proud to see our exhibitors not only showcase incredible products but also take meaningful steps forward in building their businesses.”
As for standout trends this spring, Normantas pointed to sustainability as a continuing priority. “Whether it’s in their packaging, whether it’s in their product, whether it’s in their content,” she said, “sustainability continues to be really coming to the forefront.”
Other hot categories included stationery, which saw a noticeable expansion in product offerings, along with candles and hot sauce.
“Candles and hot sauce seem to be on fire this year,” Normantas noted.
Normantas noted that macroeconomic concerns — especially around tariffs and rising raw material costs — were on attendees’ minds this year. Jewelers, in particular, expressed challenges with surging metal prices.
“There was a lot of concern, there was a lot of talk,” she said. “The jewelers were really struggling with the price of metals hitting that all-time high. I think the day of the show, gold hit its highest ever.”
While many exhibitors manufacture in New England, she noted that raw materials are still often sourced elsewhere. “Even though everything’s manufactured in New England, you still have raw materials that you depend on others for,” she said.
Despite the uncertainty, some buyers placed larger orders, possibly in anticipation of tariff impacts.
Each year, the show recognizes exhibitors with a variety of awards. Among them is the Best New Product award, which is voted on by buyers at a special preview table at the front of the show. Products created in the last year are eligible, with separate categories for specialty foods and giftware.
The Best Booth award is co-presented with the Small Business Development Center, which conducts a “secret shop” walk-through of the show to select winners based on booth design and presentation.
2025 winners were as follows:
Best New Product Showcase Winners
Giftware Category:
1st Place: Laura Zindel Design – “Large Bowl: Sitting Hare” (Brattleboro, VT)
2nd Place: Hüga Heat – “Hüga Heated Cushion” (Portland, ME)
Honorable Mention: Maine Shellware – “Antique Silver Hibiscus Flower Pendant” (Bangor,
ME)
Specialty Food Category:
1st Place: Buoy Pops – “Variety Pack of 6” (Harpswell, ME)
2nd Place: The Scone Goddess – “Maine Maple Premium Scone Mix” (Northport, ME)
Honorable Mention: Wood Stove Kitchen – “Glitter Mimosa Mixer” (Bow, NH)
Best Booth Award Winners
New Exhibitor:
First Place: Chad’s Hot Sauce (Mount Desert Island, ME) – A moody, mini-restaurant ambiance with interactive touches and rich storytelling.
Honorable Mention: Mimihali (Westbrook, ME) – A bright, cheerful space filled with dynamic 3D displays and an interactive layout.
Veteran Exhibitor:
First Place: Yam Collective (York, ME) – A serene, minimalist oasis with refined fixtures and meticulous design.
Honorable Mention: MacKenzie’s (Atkinson, NH) – A cohesively branded, visually immersive booth experience.
John Entwistle Award for Booth Excellence:
Waterline Studio (Manchester, MA) – A welcoming, cottage-like space that celebrates creativity and product joy with simplicity and warmth.
Looking ahead, the fall edition of New England Made will be held Sept. 9–10 in Boxborough, Massachusetts. Normantas noted that the spring show typically sees higher traffic, as East Coast retailers are preparing for the tourist season and looking to stock their shops with fresh finds.
“What is special about the show,” Normantas said, “is that this is a show where you can really talk to the manufacturer. They’re eager to make it successful for the retailer … and it’s an inspiring show because it really builds those true partnerships between a manufacturer and a retailer so that they both succeed.”
