The 2023 Las Vegas Souvenir & Resort Gift Show welcomed thousands of buyers in early October who were looking to stock their stores in time for the 2024 season. Around 1,300 vendors, including approximately 150 new exhibitors, more entertainment, and an added Lifestyle Products Section, gave the show a refreshed vibe.
The show attracts buyers from all over the country, including Hawaii and Alaska as well as zoos, aquariums, resorts, national parks and museums from across the country.
“September and October is the timing for the industry,” said Lisa Berry, Clarion Events group vice president, gift and souvenir. “This is their time to do their buying to get their merchandise in time for next year, especially if they do imports. It also gives exhibitors enough time to develop product and get it ready.”
Greg Robitaille, founder and president, Xplorer Maps, said he always has some apprehension exhibiting at his first show after taking the summer off of shows, but that didn’t last. “We’re five hours in and it’s a home run,” he said on the first day of the show. “I have a totally renewed sense of energy.”
Las Vegas Souvenir & Resort Gift Show is Xplorer Maps best show of the year. “Alaska and Hawaii buyers seem to flock to this show,” he observed. One difference he has noticed is that three years ago 75% of the orders he received at the show were for March, and now, “75% of the orders we are writing is ‘ship today.’”
He attributes some of that as a carryover from COVID when people were waiting for orders that were delayed or never arrived. People are saying, “We have space to store stuff. Ship it now,” he relayed.
The show also launched an app in advance of the event. “We introduced an app that a lot of people have been using, and it lets you filter for products and show categories and allows you to schedule meetings and interact,” explained Samantha Grimaldi, Clarion Events group marketing director.
The new Lifestyle Product area featured top lifestyle brands, resort wear and resort accessories. The section of the show floor was distinguished by a unique look and feel as well as daily events such as happy hours and giveaways, a DJ, ping pong and a whack-a-mole game. The area was anchored by well-known brands like Sun Bum, Sand Cloud, Pura Vida Bracelets, Optic Nerve Eyewear, Fahlo, DIFF Eyewear and Charming Shark Tropical Accessories. “They target surf and ski shops which is trending right now and super popular,” noted April Holinek, show director.
“We are very focused on souvenir and resort. Lifestyle is a segment of that, and we’re happy to grow this area,” adds Berry. “We are hoping it will attract more resorts and companies that did not know about the show.”
Another notable section of the show floor was the Native American Pavilion, featuring around 15 exhibitors showcasing handmade art, jewelry and pottery. Berry says the category is unique to the show and that it’s one many national parks seek out. Another popular destination is the Made in America Pavilion. Across the show floor more than 100 companies showcased American-made products.
Both Judy Rancour, director of retail, St. Louis Zoo, and Sue Fahje, retail manager, Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium in Omaha, Nebraska, said the new configuration made the show more navigable and enjoyable.
“They’ve done some of these segmented groupings of vendors in the past but I think they’ve taken it a step beyond this year, which has made it interesting and easier to shop,” said Rancour. “They’ve moved the Connect Buyers Lounge further into the middle of the show, which is a nice stopping point to have a conversation. All those things have added to the fun of being at the show.”
Fahje said, “There is an energy to the people here both from the vendor side to the buyer side. It’s very upbeat. I had a chance to walk the lifestyle section and it was amazing. [Clarion] brings a great offering of Native American, and I am loving to see women-owned businesses and a lot of different categories that I personally look for.”
The next Las Vegas Souvenir & Resort Gift Show takes place Sept. 17-20, 2024 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
