Clarion Events Gift & Souvenir Group is bringing a tradition of industry recognition back to the Smoky Mountain Gift Show in 2026 with the launch of the Legends Awards, a program honoring the individuals and companies whose passion, leadership, innovation and dedication have helped shape the gift and souvenir industry.
The awards will be presented at 5 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 5, during the 2026 Smoky Mountain Gift Show, taking place Nov. 4-7 at the Gatlinburg Convention Center in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. The program draws inspiration from two previous industry awards programs — the Spotlight Awards and Living Legends Awards — while creating a new platform for recognizing retailers, exhibitors, sales representatives and industry leaders whose contributions have strengthened the industry and left a lasting impact.
The 2026 Legends Awards includes the Impact Award, Road Rep Award, Retailer of the Year and Legend Award and the Larry White Legacy Award. The Larry White Legacy Award introduced in partnership with Souvenirs, Gifts & Novelties magazine was named in memory of its longtime magazine advertising director Larry White, who died earlier this year.
The award recognizes an individual or company whose gift for connecting people creates opportunities and strengthens relationships throughout the gift and souvenir industry. It celebrates White’s legacy during his more than 30 years with Souvenirs, Gifts & Novelties and recognizes those who follow his example by helping make the industry more collaborative, connected and successful.
“Larry was a tireless champion for the gift and souvenir industry and, most importantly, for the people in it,” says Karen Carr, publisher and co-owner of Breakwall Publishing. “He had a remarkable ability to bring people together, make introductions and create opportunities. We are incredibly honored to partner with Clarion on this award that ensures his legacy will live on through an award that recognizes others who share that same spirit of connection and generosity.”
Christina Bell, group show director for Clarion Events, recalls that White’s interest in helping companies in the gift and souvenir industry extended beyond his role with the magazine. He frequently connected new vendors with buyers or contacted trade show organizers when he came across potential opportunities.
“He was a salesperson, but that wasn’t what defined Larry,” Bell recalls. “Larry was about the love of the industry and making sure everyone had a fair opportunity, and I think he will be remembered as one of the great people in our industry.”
The timing of the new awards carries special significance. In 2016, White was recognized at the Smoky Mountain Gift Show with the Golden Lily Award from the Living Legends Association. Now, a decade later, an award bearing his name will become part of the new Legends Awards program at the same show.
“Clarion wants to continue to honor the legacy of our industry,” Bell says, noting that the new program combines the spirit of the former Spotlight and Living Legends awards. “For us, it’s especially meaningful that we’re bringing these awards back on the 10-year anniversary of Larry receiving his award.”
According to Bell, White was one of the first people to be recognized by the award that was not an exhibitor.
“It seems fitting to have a Larry White Legacy Award as part of the Legends Awards because Larry was a legend,” she says. “He was a gift to our industry. To know Larry was to love Larry, and to know Larry was to have been helped by Larry.”
Bell says reviving traditions that celebrate the people behind the gift and souvenir business is especially meaningful after several challenging years for the industry.
“To be able to bring back some honored traditions, to be able to honor some of our great industry leaders, I think is going to be a privilege of Clarion at the Smoky Mountain Gift Show,” she says.
Nominations for the Legends Awards are open through Sept. 15. Clarion is encouraging members of the gift and souvenir industry to nominate respected peers, businesses and industry leaders whose contributions deserve recognition. Click here to submit a nomination.
