Carrying on a legacy in the souvenir industry

Iremember attending my first souvenir trade show several years ago as a member of the trade press. In the publication bins, next to the publication Karen Carr and I had recently launched, Seaside Retailer magazine, was a magazine called Souvenirs, Gifts and Novelties. I immediately picked up a copy and was blown away by how many retailers were interviewed among the pages. I also was impressed by the many relevant wholesalers in the souvenir and gift industry that were represented with advertisements in the pages, not to mention the number of years it had been in business, being founded in 1962.

“Wow, this magazine really has its pulse on the souvenir industry,” I thought. Fast-forward to 2023 and not only is SGN magazine still going strong, Breakwall Publishing, the company Karen Carr and I founded in 2019, is now publishing the magazine!

We couldn’t be more thrilled to carry on the legacy set forth by the magazine’s long-time president and executive editor, Scott Borowsky, and we’re so honored to retain SGN’s tenured sales manager, Larry White, and its experienced managing editor, Caroline Risi, and ad production coordinator, Debby Clarke. Bringing their experience together with Karen’s and my combined 45 years’ experience in producing award-winning business-to-business magazines for a variety of industries, plus a dedicated staff from Seaside Retailer, and we’ve got ourselves a winning team that is eager to serve the needs of the souvenir industry.

We know that we have big shoes to fill with taking over the publishing of SGN magazine, and we hope you enjoy the first issue produced by Breakwall Publishing. While we’ve continued to put emphasis on retailers who represent the souvenir and gift industry, we’ve also updated the look and added new informative sections, including Retailer Roadmap, Product Spotlight and Shop Talk that we hope you enjoy.

None of this would be possible without an amazing staff and the support of retailers and wholesalers like you. We look forward to a bright future together! SGN

PUBLISHER & CREATIVE DIRECTOR

KAREN CARR karen@breakwallpublishing.com

330-591-2575

EXECUTIVE EDITOR & CONFERENCE DIRECTOR

KRISTIN ELY kristin@breakwallpublishing.com

858-684-7744

MANAGING EDITOR

CAROLINE RISI caroline@breakwallpublishing.com

610-645-6948

SALES DIRECTOR LARRY WHITE larry@breakwallpublishing.com

610-324-2100

SALES MANAGER

KATIE TURNER katie@breakwallpublishing.com 219-206-1140

SALES MANAGER

JAMIE WINEBRENNER jamie@breakwallpublishing.com 330-269-5875

AD PRODUCTION COORDINATOR DEBBY CLARKE debby@breakwallpublishing.com

856-816-6346

BILLING GABBY PAGURA accounting@breakwallpublishing.com

330-368-2047

CONTRIBUTORS

Karen Appold Genie Davis Kristen Hampshire Sara Karnish Carimé Lane

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

JEANNE LARSEN

WEBSITE DEVELOPMENT

CHRISTINE WELMAN

BUSINESS ADVISOR BOB THOMPSON

Published six times a year by: Breakwall Publishing LLC 3593 Medina Rd. #117 Medina, OH 44256 330-591-2575

Subscriptions and address changes: Souvenirs, Gifts & Novelties magazine P.O. Box 3000 Denville, NJ 07834 subscriptions@breakwallpublishing.com

Entire contents copyright 2023 Breakwall Publishing LLC. All rights reserved. Materials in this publication may not be reproduced without written permission from the publisher.

Souvenirs Gifts & Novelties magazine sold to Seaside Retailer magazine’s parent company

Breakwall Publishing, the Medina, Ohio-based publisher of Seaside Retailer magazine, has announced it has purchased the assets of Souvenirs, Gifts and Novelties (SGN) magazine from Kane Communications Inc., based in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania.

SGN was founded in 1962 and from 1977 to 2022 was led by Scott Borowsky, who served as SGN’s president and executive editor.

“In searching for a new owner, we wanted to make sure the foundation and values that we have prided ourselves on over the last four decades would be carried on,” said Barowsky. “Breakwall Publishing has proven its ability to provide relevant and valuable information to its retailer audience, and I am confident that they will help us carry on our legacy for decades to follow.”

Breakwall Publishing was founded in 2019 by Karen Carr and Kristin Ely, two award-winning business-to-business publishing veterans with over 45 years combined industry experience.

SGN has a strong readership of retail officials at tourist locations such as zoos, aquariums, caves and caverns, museums and amusement parks. The readership additionally consists of owners, buyers and managers at shops located in resorts, hospitals, gift stores, boutiques and other destination-driven retail businesses. Seaside Retailer reaches a robust audience of owners, buyers and managers of coastally located and inspired gift shops, boutiques, resorts and souvenir stores.

Karen Carr, Breakwall Publishing president and Seaside Retailer publisher, said, “We’ve had our pulse on the gift and souvenir industry for the past several years through Seaside Retailer’s coverage of beach, coastal and nautical retailers. We look forward to providing the same award-winning editorial content and design that readers have come to expect from our publications.”

SGN will publish five issues in 2023: March/April; May/June; July/ August; September/October and November/December. Beginning in 2024, SGN will be published on a bimonthly basis.

Kristin Ely, Breakwall Publishing vice president and Seaside Retailer editorial director, said, “We are excited to expand our portfolio with the acquisition of SGN magazine. Connecting retailers with wholesalers who can help them expand their offerings and be successful in their businesses has always been our goal, and now we will be able to do the same for a wider community of gift and souvenir retailers.”

Caroline Risi will continue her role as managing editor of SGN, providing readers with quality coverage of the gift and souvenir retail industry. Debby Clarke will also continue her role as ad production coordinator. Larry White who has served as SGN’s advertising director for the last 31 years is also staying on board.

“I value the relationships I have built with advertisers over the years, and I am eager to continue to foster existing relationships and build new ones with Breakwall Publishing,” said White.

For more information about the acquisition, contact Karen Carr, publisher, at 330-591-2575 or email her at karen@breakwallpublishing.com.

Subscriptions to SGN magazine are available for free by signing up online at www.sgnmag.com/subscribe.

Coastal Connections Conference draws retailers to Orlando

The inaugural Coastal Connections Conference brought together over 100 participants, including seaside retailers from more than 13 states and dozens of vendors who exhibited in an exclusive buying event called The Boardwalk.

Consultants, store designers, veteran store owners and other experts gave presentations on different aspects of store ownership and management — everything from buying strategies to product trends and display ideas to open discussions with the audience.

Before, during and after sessions, conference-goers enjoyed networking opportunities with other retailers and wholesalers.

Additional opportunities to learn about wholesalers, included a welcome bag filled to the brim with gifts from various beach, coastal and nautical wholesalers and a special session called “The Boardwalk Chat” where vendors exhibiting at The Boardwalk sat down with Seaside Retailer Publisher Karen Carr for a one-on-one discussion in front of attendees.

“We enjoyed all of it!” said attendee, Pam Smith, retail director, Turtle Central, Bald Head Island, North Carolina. “So priceless to be able to share similar experiences and learn how to overcome specific challenges when dealing with a coastal business!”

The Coastal Connections Conference returns to the Margaritaville Resort Orlando, Oct. 22 to 24. Information will soon be available at www.coastalconnections conference.com.

APRIL 23-25

Minneapolis Mart Home & Gift Show Minneapolis www.mplsmart.com

APRIL

APRIL 2-4

TMC- The Merchandise Center

Chicago & Schiller Park, Illinois www.tmcexpo.com

APRIL 3-5

Gaylord Gift Show

Gaylord, Michigan www.petoskeygiftshow.com

APRIL 19-20

Mid-Atlantic Merchandise Mart Philadelphia www.midatlanticmart.com

APRIL 22-26

High Point Market Week

High Point & Thomasville, North Carolina www.highpointmarket.org

APRIL 25-27

Trendz

Palm Beach, Florida www.trendzshow.com

MAY 10-12

IFJAG

Orlando, Florida www.ifjag.com

MAY 12-14

West Coast Gem & Mineral Show

Santa Ana, California www.mineralshowslld.com

MAY 12-14

Dallas Spring Gem, Jewelry & Bead Show

Grapevine, Texas www.aksshow.com

MAY 17-19

Las Vegas Market-Spring Sample Sale Las Vegas www.lasvegasmarket.com

MAY 17-21

MSA Forward Retail Conference & Expo

Denver, Colorado www.museumstoreassociation.org

MAY 19-22

MuseumExpo Denver www.annualmeeting.aam-us.org

APRIL 26-27

Magic Nashville Nashville www.magicfashionevents.com

MAY

MAY 2-3

Keystone Cash & Carry Lancaster, Pennsylvania www.lancasterwholesalemall.com

MAY 3-4

MAY 22-25

Sweets & Snacks Expo Chicago www.sweetsandsnacks.com

White Label World Expo

Las Vegas www.whitelabelexpo.com

MAY 3-5

ABC Kids Expo

Las Vegas www.theabcshow.com

MAY 8-9

Midwest Market Days Chicago River Grove, Illinois www.midwestmarketdays.com

MAY 19-21

GTS Greensboro Expo

Greensboro, North Carolina www.gtshows.com

MAY 29-JUNE 1

JOGS Gem & Jewelry Show

Las Vegas www.jogsshow.com

JUNE

JUNE 1-2

The Mississippi Market Wholesale Show

Jackson, Mississippi www.mismag.com/msmarket

JUNE 4-6

Miami International Mart Show Miami Gardens, Florida www.martofmiami.com

JUNE 6-9

June Atlanta Apparel Atlanta www.americasmart.com

JUNE 21-27

Dallas Total Home & Gift Market Dallas www.dallasmarketcenter.com

MAY 8-10

Atlanta Spring Cash & Carry Atlanta www.americasmart.com

JUNE 11-14

CMC LA Market Week

Los Angeles www.californiamarketcenter.com

Atlanta Market sees double-digit growth

Strong order writing, expanded discovery opportunities, standing-room-only events and significant participation from industry organizations brought energy to the bustling Winter 2023 Atlanta Market staged Jan. 10-16, 2023 at AmericasMart Atlanta.

“Atlanta Market is thriving!” said Bob Maricich, International Market Centers (IMC) CEO. “It felt like the Atlanta Market that buyers and sellers know and love. The surprise and delight of new product, connecting with new and old industry friends, engaging with programming — and even waiting for a packed elevator — were welcomed signs of a confident industry looking forward.”

Atlanta Market attendance posted double-digit growth over the Winter 2022 staging, attracting buyers from all 50 states and 56 countries. International traffic significantly increased, nearly doubling year-over-year with a notable 350% increase in Canadian attendees. Domestically, attendance from the Northeast grew by over 40% and the Southwest by 70+%.

Driving Atlanta Market’s attendance growth was the return of major buying groups, associations and key accounts for the first time since Winter 2020.

The Summer 2023 Atlanta Market is July 11-17 at AmericasMart Atlanta. The debut of Casual Market Atlanta runs July 10-13.

Relaunched Rocky Mountain Apparel, Gift & Resort Show gaining momentum

The Rocky Mountain Apparel, Gift & Resort Show is finding success under its new ownership. RedlineXpo relaunched the show in 2021 as a bi-annual show.

Square footage of booths leased for the company’s fourth edition of the show grew by 16% from the February 2022 event, while attendance grew 20% between the same two shows, according to Evan Shoda a partner with RedlineXpo.

Shoda said exhibitors and attendees alike at the February show were impressed with the growth of the show and expressed their optimism in the continued upward trajectory. “Vendors were appreciative of our new marketing initiatives as well as our focus on bringing in key accounts from around the country.”

“The venue was convenient and the attendance was exceptional,” said exhibitor Thad Fabish of Wild West Shirt Co. “We are looking forward to coming back in August.”

Hollie McBride of exhibiting company Sea To Me said, “The Rocky Mountain Show exceeded our expectations. We will be back next year.”

Murffy Stevens of Monterey Imports, a souvenir company that has exhibited at the Denver show for 65 years said, “For the first time in a long time I’m optimistic about this show’s long-term future. I appreciate the fresh energy and attention that this management team has brought to the show.”

He added, “It’s wonderful to see first time buyers and new retailers in addition to all the dedicated buyers and exhibitors that keep this show going. Denver is always an important show, and a strong market, but there is a new sense of vitality that’s so important and actually makes it fun to walk through the door again.

The bi-annual show returns to Denver, Colorado’s National Western Complex Aug. 14-16.

Growth is expected from last year’s August show with increased product offering expansions in every category.

“We have a strong category of established companies with trusted and familiar lines as well as a large number of new manufacturers bringing new products and lines to market,” according to Shoda.

Las Vegas Market experiences major attendance growth

Throngs of optimistic retailers, designers and specifiers gathered for Las Vegas Market’s first market of 2023 to place orders for new products, explore new technologies and embark on new opportunities.

A 25% year-over-year increase in attendance combined with a wealth of new introductions created an unmistakable energy throughout the market’s 1,000 gift, home decor and furniture permanent showrooms and temporary exhibits, Jan. 29-Feb. 2, at World Market Center Las Vegas.

“The unbridled optimism of buyers and suppliers at Las Vegas Market was reminiscent of prepandemic market conditions and is a great indicator of our industry’s future,” said Bob Maricich, International Market Centers (IMC) CEO. “Business was brisk and new relationships forged as the right buyers and the right sellers came together to kick off 2023 on a very positive note.” The Summer Las Vegas Market is July 30-Aug. 3.

Surf Expo January records 21% increase in total attendance

Surf Expo, the premier watersports and coastal lifestyle tradeshow, saw a robust 21% yearover-year gain in attendance for its January 2023 edition, hosting more than 8,500 industry professionals at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, from January 4-6 for an incredible buying experience.

“The surf, coastal, and resort markets are thriving and vibrant,” said Roy Turner, Surf Expo SVP and show director. “We were thrilled to see that qualified buyer attendance was up 20% at this show over the previous year, with more than 4,100 qualified buyers attending. These retailers from the U.S. and more than 60 different countries got to check out more than 750 brands.”

“We had a really great experience at this year’s show,” said Luke Mesanko of Wanderlust & Sea in New Jersey. “A lot of the next-gen brands got our attention, and we had time to build up those relationships. We had some really great dinners and lunches with business executives and their teams. All around, it was super productive, and the vibes were high.”

In addition to the busy sales floor, Surf Expo hosted free professional learning labs and multiple fashion shows. The Florida Shape-Off, the annual surfboard shaping contest and exhibition that promotes the craft of hand-shaping surfboards, was won by Josh Peterson of Peterson Surfcraft.

Surf Expo will return Sept. 7-9, 2023, to the Orange County Convention Center’s South Concourse.

Las Vegas Apparel finds continued success

The fourth semi-annual edition of Las Vegas Apparel kicked off Las Vegas Fashion Week, connecting buyers and brands in a resource-filled and hospitality-driven environment, Feb. 12-15 at the Expo at World Market Center Las Vegas.

Las Vegas Apparel offered 100-plus lines across apparel, accessories, gift, and even home decor through temporary exhibits and the unique advantage of open gift and home showrooms, according to show organizer IMC.

The winter 2023 edition drew a diverse geographic audience, with retailers from 46 states and Puerto Rico, as well as eight international countries. Additionally, more than half the February attendees were new to the market.

The next semi-annual Las Vegas Apparel is Sunday, Aug. 6 to Wednesday, Aug. 9 at the Expo at WorldMarket Center Las Vegas.

Bulletin brings new energy to NY Now

NY Now and Bulletin’s reimagined February’s 2023 Winter Market included a fresh crop of brands and makers coupled with a sense of innovation and transformation.

Emerald X recently acquired the curated wholesale marketplace, Bulletin, whose team and leadership played a key role in planning, marketing and staging the country’s largest gift and home show. The show featured elevated lounges, packed networking happy hours and engaging panels. Bulletin’s B2B marketplace and commitment to small businesses will continue to play a significant role in making NY Now a more tech-powered event, with even more changes slotted for summer 2023, organizers say.

The Bulletin Pavilion, an incubator space at the show’s center featuring emerging wholesale brands, was a great contributor to the show’s sense of discovery and community.

Toy Fair responds to demand for Halloween merchandise with introduction of BOOlevard

In response to high demand to participate in the already sold-out Halloween Pavilion, Toy Fair 2023 is introducing a brand-new area that creates additional display opportunities for Halloween-themed products.

The Halloween BOOlevard is a dedicated space spotlighting companies representing Halloween toys, games, costumes, accessories, décor, novelties, and more. Each participating company receives a showcase spot to display its product, along with the item’s description and manufacturer contact information. The space will be located in the high-traffic Toy Fair registration area and adjacent to the entryway that leads into the Halloween Pavilion, ensuring that brands will be front and center for all buyers and attendees to see.

“We knew that Halloween was a beloved holiday, but the tremendous response we saw with the Halloween Pavilion exceeded our expectations,” said Kimberly Carcone, executive vice president of global market events at The Toy Association. “We believe the Halloween BOOlevard addition will add significant value to the Toy Fair experience, and we can't wait to see the creativity and innovation that will be on display!”

In addition to the Pet PLAYce showcase and the Halloween and World of Toys Pavilions, this new featured area is just one of the ways the reimagined Toy Fair will give attendees direct access to a broader range of products and provide even more opportunities to expand their business. Additional showcases and pavilions on the Toy Fair show floor will be announced in the coming weeks.

Toy Fair is Sept. 30 to Oct. 3 in New York City.