Trade Show Scheduling

The Boston Gift Show offers a wide selection of products and services catering to the specialized needs of the region’s retailers, sales representatives, and manufacturers. This year’s show is categorized into Gifts, Etc., Souvenir Source, Handmade, and Made in New England sections. Now managed by Urban Expositions, the Boston Gift Show promises a fresh, new energy, an expanded product selection, and a number of business-building initiatives for New England retailers.

Free educational seminars will offer a wealth of ideas and tips including the following:

· 10 Steps to Create a Web Site for Your Store by Shirley Frazier, president of Sweet Survival

· Increasing revenue with a New Location …An Online Location by Derek Griffin, owner, Speartek

· Innovative Retail Strategies for Increasing Your Store’s Profitability in 2009 by Patricia Norins, Specialty Retail Expert and Publisher

The 4^th annual Pride of New England Awards will recognize New England retailers for outstanding customer service, creative merchandising, community involvement, and a strong demonstration of New England pride. Winners will be announced at a special awards reception.

The first 150 buyers to arrive at the show on Saturday, March 28th and Sunday, March 29th, will receive a special tote bag and a list of participating exhibitors and trade show displays to visit to receive a free gift.

On hand during the show will be New England artist and author Margot Datz who will be signing copies of her book, A Survival Guide for Landlocked Mermaids. This book speaks to contemporary women of all ages as Datz playfully addresses many of the more serious issues of courtship, self-esteem, and feminism.

The Boston Gift Show will be held March 28-31, 2009 at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center, 415 Summer Street, Boston, MA 02210. For more information you can call (678) 285-EXPO or visit their web site at http://www.bostongiftshow.com/Content/23.htm.

Seafood Processing America is the largest resource in North America to find the equipment, services, and technology you need for getting seafood from the dock to the market. You will be able to source, compare, and purchase equipment, services, and technology. Meet with product experts to discuss your specific needs. Find processing machinery, refrigeration systems, and freezing equipment. Find transportation, warehousing, and packaging services and equipment. And discover hard-to-find resources for quality control, logistics, computer/information technology, as well as financial needs.

Seafood Processing America is co-located with The International Boston Seafood Show, North America’s largest seafood exhibition bringing together nearly 18,000 seafood buyers and sellers from around the world. You will find the largest assortment of seafood, equipment and products. The latest in packaged seafood products, condiments, and culinary dishes will be showcased. A panel of seafood buyers and experts from the retail and food service industries will conduct a live tasting of the latest seafood products on the market. “Best New Retail Product” and best New Food service Product” will be named at the Awards Ceremony and Reception.

Chef Masaharu Morimoto, star of Iron Chef and Iron Chef America, will be on hand for a discussion and to answer questions. You can submit your own question for Chef Morimoto at the conference web site.

The Seafood Marketplace Seminar will focus on industry best practices. Industry experts will discuss such topics as:

· Under the Glass and on the Ice

· Making Money with Seafood

· Frozen Seafood Sales

· Low Shrink, Low Labor Income Opportunities

· The ABC’s of Ordering

The 3^rd Annual Oyster Shucking Contest will be held at the Culinary Demonstration Theater. William “Chopper” Young, the current Guinness World Oyster Shucking Champion, will defend his title as fastest shucker in the East.

Seafood Processing America will take place March 15-17, 2009, at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center, 415 Summer Street, Boston, MA 02210. For registration and more information you can visit their web site at http://www.seafoodprocessingamerica.com/09/public/enter.aspx.

The Imprinted Sportswear Show is the leading event for the decorated apparel and imprinted products industry. Featured will be the newest products, apparel and equipment. It is the place to be to see the latest equipment, supplies, industry trends, and techniques available. This is the largest Imprinted Sportswear Show on the East coast with over 300 exhibitors and trade show displays. This show will cover embroidery, screen printing, sublimation and direct-to-garment printing. Educational sessions and hands-on workshops will also be available.

This trade show brings together buyers, suppliers, manufacturers, and industry leaders to explore screen printing, embroidery, sublimation, graphic design, and digital printing. Workshops and sessions will showcase new technology and techniques. This is an opportunity to gain expert knowledge to turn your investments into profits. It is also a great networking opportunity to make new business contacts, learn best practices, and discover new artistic trends.

Thirty eight conference sessions will be available to show you how to achieve quality results and do so profitably. Seminars on the latest products and processes will keep you on the cutting edge of industry developments. Industry experts will provide you with the information and insight you need to succeed. Classes will provide the know-how to improve your efficiency and profitability with proven business strategies. Core topics will reveal new developments and ensure you have up-to-date information and skills.

The Imprinted Sportswear Show will be held March 13-15, 2009, at the Atlantic City Convention Center, One Ocean Way, Atlantic City, NJ 08401. For more information you can call (800) 933-8735. Fax: (770) 777-8700. E-mail: customer.serviceatlanta@nielsen.com. You can also visit their web site at http://www.issshows.com.

Charlotte Convention Center will be the site of the Automation Technology Expo in March 2009. Innovative products and technologies will be presented which will help you to maximize the manufacturing process including adhesives/dispensing equipment, antistatic products and flooring, assembly systems and equipment, custom automation, machine vision systems, motion control, sensors, wire processing and cable assemblies, and much more. You will be able to find new equipment, technology, and materials to lower costs, reduce waste, and increase efficiency. You can compare suppliers for better options and improved services. You will be able to identify new, more cost-effective process methods to help your bottom line.

Educational sessions will be available at the Lean Factory to demonstrate the importance of a data-driven approach to line design. You can witness the step-by-step creation of the perfect Lean production environment culminating in an actual build demonstration on an optimum Lean line.

The conference program will guide you through the lean transformation process with industry experts and manufacturers revealing the obstacles, failures, and successes they overcame in making the transition to lean. You can discover the manufacturing and productivity solutions you need to streamline your process, reduce costs, and succeed in today’s highly competitive marketplace.

The AM EXPO/ATX SOUTH 2009 will be held March 11 – 12, 2009, at the Charlotte Convention Center, 501 South College Street, Charlotte, NC 28202. For registration and more information you can visit their web site at http://www.devicelink.com/expo/atxsamx09.