Posts filed under 'Basket Enhancements'
There’s always a gift show to attend! Throughout the United States, gift shows are scheduled almost every month of the year. Some shows attract regional manufacturers and buyers; others pull in international buyers and suppliers. So why should a gourmet food basket designer attend a gift show?
First, most of the major gift shows include a gourmet marketplace: an area devoted to showcasing gourmet food products that you can use in your baskets. You’ll have an opportunity to see new products and talk with suppliers of those products you already include in your designs.
If you’re not already including gift items in your gourmet designs, you’ll see 1000’s of innovative products from premier manufacturers. Think about how you might add these products to your designs:
- Candles
- Photo frames
- Cookbooks
- Tableware such as napkins, coasters, & placemats
- Small cookware items including decorative and practical utensils
- Plush
- Stationary
- Mugs & Small Ceramics
Most shows include educational events that offer “best practices” for any type of business. You could learn about internet marketing: building web sites, social media marketing blogging. You can get new ideas for merchandising, branding, and more. You’ll have opportunities to talk with others and share ideas.
This summer and fall, you can attend a gift in cities across the country. Some of the largest shows include:
You can also find regional shows on-line web sites:
May 22nd, 2011
I was just browsing through some of my old blog posts, and came across an article that I wrote about GBA: the Gift Basket Association. Since Debbie Quintana founded GBA in 2009, the organization has grown to over 500 members and includes many new resources that will benefit you and your gift basket business.
Visit the Gift Basket Association web site and learn the 12 reasons to join the organization. Join discussion forums, shop the Gift Basket Supply Marketplace and enjoy discounts from supplier members. Get unique ideas from Trends and Tips Magazine and if you’re so inclined: become a contributor! Learn how you can creatively use internet marketing to promote your business.
Join the Gift Basket Association and become part of a collaborative effort to “uplift the global gift basket industry in the spirit of support and collaboration”.
May 14th, 2011
I just received an email with a link to a wonderful article about gourmet gift baskets. Please read Top 10 Reasons Why The Gift Basket Remains Undefeated in The World of Edible Gift. If you own a gift basket business, share it with your employees. It’s a great reminder about why we’re in the business…..we make other people happy!
May 1st, 2011
Do you include baby baskets in your line of gift basket designs? Are you looking for new products that will “wow” your customers? Look no further: the 9th annual ABC Kids Expo is being held September 23-26 in Louisville, KY. At this premier juvenile products show, you’ll see baby gifts, gear, and toys, as well as apparel, room decor, diapering accessories, plus lots of products for mom!
Dress up your line of baby designs with the hottest new products in the marketplace. For more information about the show and registration instructions, go to the ABC Kids Expo.
April 25th, 2011
If you’re looking for some items to add to your basket designs, considering browsing the marketplace at the National Stationary Show, May 15 – 18, at the Javits Convention Center in New York City.
“The products showcased in the National Stationery Show include greeting cards, invitations, imprintables, giftwrap/ribbons, stationery, specialty party supplies and paper tableware, bridal accessories, customized/personalized products, in-store printing equipment, decorative home office products, luxury leather goods, writing instruments, paper-crafting supplies, frames, journals, calendars, specialty giftware, scrapbooking and back-to-school.” As you check out this global marketplace, featuring over 900 vendors, expect to find a wide variety of new products that to fire your imagination for your summer, fall and holiday gift basket creations.
For a preview of what to expect at the show, check out the online April issue of Gift, Gourmet & Decor Plus. For show and registration details, go to Paper Power.
April 15th, 2011
In the March issue of Gift, Gourmet & Decor, there is an article about the “popular” color for 2011: Honeysuckle, along with a suggestion that this be used for a splash of bold color in design. Read about the Pantone 2011 color of the year and where you’ll see it show up in in the marketplace. Watch out for packaging and accessories in this bright, fresh color that you can add to your basket designs.
If you’re curious about who chooses what colors will be featured each year in the marketplace, check out the Pantone web site and learn about this company that inspires the fashion, home furnishings, automobile and accessory industries.
April 11th, 2011
Teacher Appreciation Week is May 2 – 8. In 2007, the NEA (National Teacher’s Association) launched a project to give teachers a ” big thanks” on National Teachers Day. Thousands of people responded by sending thank you cards which were used to create a huge mural that hangs in the Cannon House Office Building in Washington, D.C.
If you’re planning a special gift basket promotion for Teacher Appreciation Week, how about giving your customers an opportunity to send in a “virtual card” to express their thanks to teachers all across the U.S. for a job well done! Go to the NEA web site for more information on how you and your customers and create virtual cards and join the “Teacher Thank-You Project”.
April 3rd, 2011
Little did you know! During the month of April, you can create unusual gift basket designs for 10 holidays and special occasions. Put on your creative thinking hat, think outside of the box and produce some imaginative designs that will entice your customers and create new opportunities to increase your sales. Can you come up with a unique design for any of these holidays? Please share your ideas….send in your photos and I’ll post your design with your business information!
- April 1: April Fools Day
- April 2: International Children’s Book Day
- April 6: National Day of Hope
- April 10: National Siblings Day
- April 16: Husband Appreciation Day
- April 17: Family History Day
- April 19: Passover
- April 23: Movie Theater Day
- April 24: Easter
- April 27: Administrative Professionals Day: Check out the photo above. A calculator, a picture frame, a decorative pen and pencil holder plus some chocolates, snacks and candies, all wrapped in beautiful papers. What a terrific gift for any professional!
For more information about special holidays and events, see the “Idea Calendar” in the March issue of Gift, Gourmet & Decor magazine.
March 28th, 2011
The Ultimate Gift Show and the National Gift Basket Professional Convention have merged to present a bigger and better buying experience for gift basket businesses. The event takes places August 4, 5, 6 in Columbus, Ohio.
Three days of seminars will include design and business tips, information about social media marketing, and book signings by well known industry authors. Vendors from across the country will be displaying their wares.
Don’t miss this opportunity to attend this convention filled with 13 hours of seminars, demonstration classes hands-on workshops, 10 hours to browse the trade show plus unlimited opportunities for networking.
Check out the Ultimate Gift Show and the National Gift Basket Convention today.
February 27th, 2011
In the January/February issue of Specialty Food Magazine, you’ll find an article entitled “2011 Trends: What to Expect in Confections”. According to the author, “the emphasis will likely be on sweet and citrusy flavors, savory-sweet combinations and products with a healthy twist”.
I know that you’re still recuperating from the Christmas rush, and you’re still winding down from Valentine’s day, but this is a perfect time to start researching ideas and trends for Fall & Christmas, 2011. Additionally, take the time to talk with your staff to find out what products were most popular from the 2010 season. Put all this information together and you can start talking to your suppliers about the products you might consider for the upcoming season.
Check out these resources for more ideas and trends:
Specialty Food Magazine
Gourmet News
Gift, Gourmet & Decor Magazine
Fancy Food Magazine
February 19th, 2011
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