Las Vegas Souvenir & Resort Gift Show

Gift Show, Pendleton® To Co-Host Silent Auction Benefiting American Indian College Fund

Networking Fund-Raiser Kicks Off New Native American Pavilion at the September 13-16, 2017 Edition

Headlining the full roster of promotions and cultural demonstrations surrounding the 2017 Las Vegas Souvenir & Resort Gift Show’s Native American Pavilion debut at the Las Vegas Convention Center, a special Silent Auction Networking Event will be held from 4:30 p.m. – 6 p.m. on Thursday, September 14 to raise funds for the American Indian College Fund. Sponsored by Pendleton®, the special gathering gives attendees the chance to mix, mingle and explore the show floor’s newest feature, while enjoying refreshments and bidding on fabulous auction items donated from Pavilion artisans as well as other show exhibitors and souvenir industry members.

“We are honored to partner with American lifestyle brand Pendleton® to host an event that raises funds and industry awareness for such a vitally important and meaningful cause as the American Indian College Fund,” said Lisa Glosson, vice president, gift and souvenir for Urban Expositions, the owners and producers of the Las Vegas Souvenir & Resort Gift Show. “Our new pavilion will celebrate and showcase Native American culture-its artistry, crafts and tradition-to help our buyers bring even more value and meaning to their stores. This special event and its mission certainly help us get closer to this goal.”

“Today only 13.8 percent of American Indians over age 25 have a college education compared to compared 29.7 percent of the overall population. We at the American Indian College Fund are pleased that the Las Vegas Souvenir & Resort Gift Show and Pendleton® recognize the importance of higher education as a tool to equip Native people with the skills and knowledge to reach their full potential,” said Cheryl Crazy Bull, president and CEO of the American Indian College Fund. “The silent auction will not only help Native people with their educational goals, it will also raise awareness about the disparity in higher education attainment and help make positive change.”

Silent Auction bidding begins at 9 a.m. on the opening morning of the show, Wednesday, September 13, and will close at 5:30 p.m. Thursday during the networking event. All funds raised by the winning bids will be presented to the American Indian College Fund to benefit Native higher education. Among the companies donating auction items include:

Pendleton®

Delaware North

Xanterra

Four Winds Trading
DG House

First American Traders

Rio Grande Wholesale

The new Native American Pavilion will bring together the works of Native American artisans and other tribal sources/suppliers across a range of merchandise categories, including jewelry, apparel, artwork, food products, music and health/beauty. Among the Native American vendors already confirmed for the 2017 Pavilion include Rio Grande, Kachina, Taos Drums, Supersmith, Shima of Najavo, Medicine of the People, First American Traders, Shiprock, Trickster, Shotridge, RL Cox Co. and Myth Makers. In addition to the Silent Auction Networking Event, the pavilion will also host daily cultural demonstrations such as music and jewelry-making, story-telling and a number of other events and programs.

The Native American Pavilion is just one of the newest features joining the 12th annual edition of the Las Vegas Souvenir & Resort Gift Show. Other highlights include new Gourmet and Boardwalk sectors, more Made in America resources and a special keynote address from Frank Ruggles, artist, author and former official photographer for the National Park Service.

As the largest of its kind in the nation, the 2017 edition will bring together more than 1,300 booths at the Las Vegas Convention Center, including every major souvenir/resort industry manufacturer as well as up-and-coming innovators in a wide range of categories – from destination, resort and tourist merchandise to custom/logo resources, American-made designs, gourmet gifts, resort apparel, jewelry, fashion accessories, lake/lodge, coastal, ski-themed products and much more. The selection draws souvenir/resort retailers and top industry associations/buying groups from across the country and internationally. For buyer/exhibitor information, visit www.lvsouvenirshow.com or call 800-318-2238.

About the American Indian College Fund: Founded in 1989, the American Indian College Fund has been the nation’s largest charity supporting Native higher education for more than 25 years. The College Fund believes “Education is the answer” and has provided more than 100,000 scholarships since its inception and an average of 6,000 scholarships per year to American Indian students. The College Fund also supports a variety of academic and support programs at the nation’s 34 accredited tribal colleges and universities, which are located on or near Indian reservations, ensuring students have the tools to graduate and succeed in their careers. The College Fund consistently receives top ratings from independent charity evaluators. For more information about the American Indian College Fund, please visit www.collegefund.org.