The Philadelphia Gift Show Announces New Discovery Zone Seminar and Event Schedule
New, Pop Up Educational Format to Debut on the Show Floor at Philadelphia Gift Show July 23-26, 2017
The Philadelphia Gift Show recently announced an extensive educational line-up for its brand-new Discovery Zone feature at the July 23-26, 2017 edition. Designed to help retailers boost their productivity and sales, the Discovery Zone is a lively and engaging area on the Philadelphia Gift Show floor that will feature quick learning sessions, panel discussions and demonstrations touching on a variety of topics and trends, from merchandising and display ideas, social media marketing and mobile retail to buying and selling fair trade and handmade in America products. While in the Discovery Zone, retailers can also enjoy afternoon popcorn socials, tour a mobile fashion boutique and enter to win daily prize drawings.
For its Discovery Zone debut, the Philadelphia Gift Show is partnering with leading speakers and associations, including: Crystal Vilkaitis, CEO, Crystal Media; Julie Steiner, first vice president, the Museum Store Association (MSA); American Mobile Retail Association (AMRA); Craft Retailers & Artists for Tomorrow (CRAFT); participating exhibitors and others. Programs and events include:
Full-Length Programs
As the go-to source for social media marketing in the retail industry, Crystal Vilkaitis, CEO, Crystal Media, will present two 60-minute social media marketing seminars on Monday, July 24. Her programs will include 5 Ways You’re Sabotaging Yourself on Social Media, from 9:45 a.m. to 10:45 a.m., and The Social Selling Mindset from 1:45 p.m. to 2:45 p.m.
On Monday, July 24, from 11 a.m. to noon, Julie Steiner, first vice president of the Museum Store Association (MSA) and director of retail operation for The Barnes Foundation, will host the Made in America Curated Buying Tour, a curated shopping experience to demonstrate how to choose the perfect American-made products. All participants will receive complimentary lunch.
Daily Demos and Pop-Up Presentations
Diane Sulg, executive director, Craft Retailers & Artists for Tomorrow (CRAFT)
Sunday – Tuesday, 1 p.m. to 1:15 p.m. Sulg will show you how your sales can shine with inventory straight from the Makers’ Market exhibitors.
10 Easy Ways to Increase Your Jewelry Sales will take place Sunday – Tuesday, 1:30 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. with Diana Kauffman, owner, Diana Kauffman Design. Jewelry packs a lot of profit punch per square foot for retailers. Learn easy, effective ways to boost your jewelry sales during this session from store owner and jewelry designer Diana Kauffman.
Fashion A Go-Go! Sponsored by the American Mobile Retail Association
Brittany Reilly, Bohemian Groove and Courtney Jackson, CJKollective Boutique
Sunday and Tuesday, 1:45 p.m. to 2 p.m. | Monday, 1:15 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. These successful mobile fashion boutique owners are here to answer questions and share all of the necessary tools, tips and tricks to help you start your own store on wheels. Plus, you’ll get a special tour of CJKollective mobile boutique located on the show floor.
Rebecca Piermarini, marketing manager and design partner for dZi Handmade
Sunday, 2 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. | Monday, 4 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. Get an inside look behind dZi Handmade’s unique hand-felted products, and factors that affect buying and selling Fair Trade products. Samples of products shown in production in Nepal will be on hand to touch and feel.
Happy, Thoughtful Fair Trade Toys, the Rainbow Bear, will take place Sunday and Tuesday, 2:30 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. | Monday, 4:15 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Come learn the story of our happy, unique and amazing toys and meet The Rainbow Bear.
Mobile Makeover: The Journey of the Bohemian Groove Luxe Airstream Boutique, Brittany Reilly, owner, Bohemian Groove, will take place on Sunday and Tuesday, 2:45 p.m. to 3 p.m. and Monday, 3:45 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Inspired by a love for fashion, traveling, and above all creativity, Bohemian Groove evolved as a canvas for just that. Owner Brittany Reilly, will share her makeover story and how her Bohemian Groove Luxe Airstream boutique evolved into a brand for women who are fun, fresh, carefree and not afraid to wear what they want.
Selling Bells to Ring in 4th Quarter Sales will be presented by New England Bells
Sunday – Tuesday, 3 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. The company’s handmade bells will add an extra jingle to your register. See why bells are perfect for pet, hikers, hunters and to welcome guests.
Merchandising Cohasset Molten Glass to Sell presented by Cohasset Gift & Garden will take place 3:15 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., Sunday to Tuesday.
Learn a dozen, quick and easy merchandising tips to share with your customers on how they can incorporate items they already own to display their molten glass items.
How to Take the Perfect Instagram Photo will be presented by Diana Kauffman, owner, Diana Kauffman Designs, 3:30 p.m. to 3:45 p.m., Sunday – Tuesday.
From experienced instagrammers to novices, everyone can benefit from this session that will have you taking the perfect photo. Diana Kauffman will provide a hands-on demonstration of how to style shoot and what tools to use to make your Instagram feed beautiful!
Step Up Your Social Media with Social Edge will be presented by Crystal Vilkaitis, CEO, CrystalMedia, from 10:45 a.m. to 11 a.m., 12:45 p.m. to 1 p.m. and 2:45 p.m. to 3 p.m., Monday.
Are you ready to step-up your social media and start seeing results like increased local exposure, foot traffic, and sales? Social Edge is a training website for retailers who want to know how to use social media to increase store traffic and sales.
Socials and Networking
Afternoon Popcorn Socials: Retailers are invited to stop by the Discovery Zone for an afternoon pick me up and to enjoy a complimentary bag of freshly popped popcorn.
Buyer Buzz Session on Sunday, July 23 and Tuesday, July 25 at 4 p.m.
Join the show management team for a brief session to share your ideas and suggestions for how we can enhance your Philadelphia Gift Show experience. Refreshments served.
Daily Giveaways
Head to the Discovery Zone to enter our giveaways for a chance to win exhibitor sponsored prizes, restaurant gift certificates, attraction tickets, and much more from the Valley Forge Convention and Visitors Bureau.
The Philadelphia Gift Show Discovery Zone programs are open to registered retailers at no cost. Seating is limited and available on a first-come, first-serve basis. For complete details on all seminars, visit the show website at www.philadlephiagiftshow.com.
Stay for the Last Day – Wednesday, July 26
For additional savings, retailers should shop on Wednesday, July 26, 2017, to enjoy discounts only offered the last day of the show, which include a complimentary buffet lunch, a $20 hotel rebate and additional savings on select lines and products from participating exhibitors.
