Summer 2021 - 76

HOT CATEGORIES: FINDING THE RIGHT GOODS AT
THE LAS VEGAS SOUVENIR & RESORT GIFT SHOW
A
s the trade show season gets back into swing, buyers can
look forward to seeing a greater selection from popular
categories and favorite vendors in-person after a year of
cancelled or postponed events.
According to the Las Vegas Souvenir & Resort Gift Show, buyer
feedback is that there will be a demand this year for emerging
product categories, and the team is prepared to meet the need.
Part of this comes from new guidance issued by the National Parks
Service and recommendations from the Association of Zoos and
Aquariums (AZA) - focus on women-owned and minority-owned
companies, sustainable products, handmade goods and those
made in the U.S.
Colleen Wagner, chief adventure officer at McGovern
& Co., along with her entirely female staff,
are thrilled to introduce buyers to their
products. McGovern's mission stems from
Wagner's love of the outdoors and desire
to support women - especially those
raising families or otherwise needing to work
from home. Their focus on a more sustainable supply
chain has allowed McGovern to key in on creating original ecofriendly
products.
The McGovern product line features original, design-centric
merchandise that stands up in high-end boutique gift shops. One of
their most popular lines has topographical maps of national parks
on clothing, drinkware, housewares and hiking gear.
The designs are curated by Wagner's team, who strive to create
unique pieces of art that are practical and memorable, such as
high-end, ultra-soft tube bandanas made from 100% recycled
water bottles.
The company is working on a new elevated collection of
evergreen products for gift boutiques, including new T-shirts, water
bottles, ornaments and pet products that they plan to release at the
2021 Las Vegas Souvenir & Resort Gift Show.
Wagner's favorite part of exhibiting at the Las Vegas Souvenir
& Resort Gift Show is, by far, getting to see her customers. " I love
seeing how happy they are about new products. It gives me
goosebumps and makes my day! Our customers are more like family
to us, " Wagner said.
One of those customers, Eric Flanigan, Vice President at Aramark,
sends 15 to 20 buyers to the Las Vegas event each year. Aramark
runs on-site gift shops for a number of retail locations within
national parks, museums and historical sites. Each site's buyer
attends, ensuring the right products for their unique customer base
are acquired.
Aramark's buyers will be shopping for the latest trends in the new
emerging product categories and more this year at the Las Vegas
Souvenir & Resort Gift Show.
Among sustainable vendors, Kastlfel is one of Aramark's major
suppliers and makes apparel out of recycled water bottles, including
a collection that helps support various nonprofit groups around the
U.S. such as the National Aquarium Animal Rescue.
Grasshopper's Mermaid is another company that checks several
boxes: certified women-owned, green and sustainable. Their
illustrated stickers are customizable and encompass
many parks and regions already.
Within the Made in America pavilion,
Aramark works with Lantern Press for paper
products and stickers with customized art
including décor, stationery and souvenir
categories, some printed on wood.
In addition, the Aramark teams will be searching for
new minority-owned vendors to complement the handmade
goods that they already purchase through Native American tribes.
" You won't find the depth and breadth of Native American products
you can see at the Las Vegas Souvenir & Resort Gift Show unless you
go directly to a tribe, " Flanigan said. At the Las Vegas event's Native
American Pavilion, buyers can acquire goods from many tribes in a
single trip.
Flanigan added, " The Las Vegas Souvenir & Resort Gift Show
is something our buyers look forward to every year. The show
continues to evolve for the better. The Clarion Events team's focus
on bringing in Made in America, Diverse and Sustainable vendors is
exciting for us. The Native American Pavilion was a great addition a
few years ago. We are so excited to attend this year to see many of
our long term vendors and hope we can partner with new vendors
to help get this industry going again. "
Ultimately, buyers won't want to miss out on the expanded
opportunities to source from women-owned and minority-owned
companies, as well as sustainable products, handmade goods and
U.S.-made products at this year's event, taking place September
28-30 at the brand new Las Vegas Convention Center West Hall. To
learn more and register to attend, visit www.lvsouvenirshow.com/GS.
LVSOUVENIRSHOW.COM/GS
76 SUMMER 2021 GIFT SHOP® PLUS
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Summer 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Summer 2021
