Attendees and vendors reunite in-person at Smoky Mountain Gift Show

The 55th annual event took extra precautions to create a safe place to do business.

Clarion Events returned to face-to-face events in early November with the 55th annual Smoky Mountain Gift Show, known as the nation’s longest running event for the resort, gift and souvenir industry.

The in-person event took place Nov. 4-7 in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, as part of Tennessee Market Week, which also includes the International Gift Exposition in the Smokies (IGES). In addition to driving business forward, the top priority for Clarion Events was ensuring the health and safety of everyone involved.

The Smoky Mountain Gift Show event team and management worked closely with the convention center, service providers, hotels, travel partners and state and local authorities to implement control measures to assure strict adherence to every health and safety standard, according to Clarion Events. This included CDC, state and local COVID-19 protocols and precautions. The show’s comprehensive We’ve Got You Covered safety plan, included physical distancing, enhanced cleaning, mandatory facial coverings and daily temperature checks.

“Our goal was to support the industry after a year where many had faced different hardships and provide a safe, productive and fun meeting space for them to get back to business,” says Christina Bell, Smoky Mountain Gift Show director. “It is so wonderful to hear many of the success stories following the event, and we hope to continue to support our gift and souvenir family year-round.”

Vendors featured a range of products, including souvenir, novelty and trend items; apparel and clothing; jewelry; nature and wildlife products; green and conservation merchandise; home accessories; lifestyle products; gourmet foods; lake, mountain and lodge décor; Made in America products; zootique products; collegiate merchandise; games, puzzles and toys; holidays and seasonal items; licensed products; custom logo products; promotional items; and personalized products.

“We were so thrilled to be the meeting place for the gift, souvenir and resort community to reconnect after such an unprecedented year,” says Christina Bell, show director. “We talk with our customers year-round and heard over and over the need and desire to return to a face-to-face setting, which is what encouraged us to find every way to meet in-person this year.”

Vendors had the opportunity to showcase products, meet with buyers, share their show specials and write orders.

“I had no idea what to expect, but armed with optimism, hand sanitizer and samples, I thought I'll give it my best shot,” says show exhibitor Murffy Stevens, vice president of wholesale company, Monterey Import Co. “Things looked a little different with masks and social distancing, but what a great show. It was a wonderful thing to be able to step back into a kind of normalcy and write business and meet with people.”

Several vendors participated in the Product Preview Area where vendors can showcase their newest designs. Buyers voted on their favorites. Recherche Furnishings won best new product and Amish Farm Soap won best Made in America Product at the 2020 show.

The 56^th annual Smoky Mountain Gift Show is slated for Nov. 10-13 in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Clarion Events also offers a 24/7 online resource for the industry called The Marketplace as an accompaniment to its face-to-face tradeshows – featuring more than 4,000 products, hundreds of vendors, education, live demos and networking. For more information on both events, visit www.smokymtngiftshow.com.