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December 2011 Issue

• Show of Shows
• Winter Market Finds
• Made in USA
• Thinking of You
• Country
• Christmas 2012

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Giftware News Insider

• Vaillancourt Folk Art Plans Open House
• Charles G. McCurdy Assumes Operating CEO Role at GLM; Doug Smith Named as CFO of the Holding and Operating Companies
• Roman Expands And Renovates Atlanta Showroom
• Magnet Works Hires New National Sales Manager
• Creative Co-Op Relocates, Expands at Gift+Home at Las Vegas Market
• AmericasMart Atlanta Debuts Dynamic New Website
• FDA Presents 5th Annual 2011 Rising Stars of Interior Design At November Event
• The October Digital Issue of Gift, Gourmet & Decor is Now Available

Vaillancourt Folk Art Plans Open House

On Friday, December 4th, the Vaillancourt Studio will open their doors unveiling the 2011 Christmas Decorative Theme during the Starlight Santa opening. Since moving into the 1800's stone textile mill in 2007, Judi Vaillancourt has taken advantage of the 10,000-sq/ft space by decorating it with the splendor of the Christmas season. Each year the gallery is transformed into a unique theme to bring traditions to the forefront of each visitor.

In addition to perusing the gallery to be put into the Christmas spirit or gather decorative ideas, the Christmas opening corresponds to the launch of the annual Starlight Santa that benefits terminally ill children through the Starlight Foundation and Umass Memorial Children's Hospital.

As a family-run company, Vaillancourt Folk Art has taken pride in not only hiring American employees and the exceptional detail and quality of hand painted products. The proudest aspect that the Vaillancourt family says it takes to heart is that hundreds of families around the nation have incorporated the company's chalkware into their own family's traditions.

Charles G. McCurdy Assumes Operating CEO Role at GLM; Doug Smith Named as CFO of the Holding and Operating Companies

GLM Holdings, created by Providence Equity Partners as part of its acquisition of George Little Management (GLM) recently announced that Charles G. McCurdy, CEO of GLM Holdings, will also take on the CEO role for GLM at the operating company level. At the same time, GLM Holdings announced that Doug Smith, formerly CFO of Education Dynamics, will become GLM's Chief Financial Officer and Chief Administrative Officer at both the holding company and operating company levels.

Alan E. Steel, President of GLM, Jeff Little and Senior Vice President Jack Withiam will be leaving the firm after advising McCurdy and Smith during a transitional period.

"GLM is well-positioned in the trade show industry," said McCurdy. "Our strategy of creating both face-to-face and online, buying, selling and networking platforms for our customers will create opportunities for expanded growth. With the acquisition of GLM by Providence Equity, the company is now positioned to begin its next chapter, which will continue to build and evolve on GLM's long history of facilitating buyers and sellers in the specialty retail space."

McCurdy added, "Alan, Jeff and Jack were foundational leaders of GLM and instrumental in building it into the successful business and industry leader it is today. Over the years they have had the foresight to make the right strategic choices to allow the company to grow and prosper and continue to provide superior solutions to our customers. We wish them well in their new endeavors."

Alan Steel commented, "Jeff, Jack and I are proud of the great company we have created in GLM. Now that we have successfully guided the company through the recession and managed the successful sale to Providence Equity, we are handing off the stewardship of the company to new leadership. We wish Charlie, Doug and Providence the best of success with GLM."

As CFO of Education Dynamics, the leading online marketing company for adult education, Doug Smith helped lead the integration of a group of acquired businesses from an accounting, technology and organizational standpoint. He is a veteran financial executive for marketing, media and events companies, including PRIMEDIA Inc., where he was a Senior Vice President and Treasurer.

Roman Expands And Renovates Atlanta Showroom

Roman, Inc., a leader in the giftware industry, will expand its AmericasMart showroom by 50 percent for 2012 the January Shows. For 2012, Roman will add 3,500 square feet to their existing showroom in Building 2, Suite 1400.

Dan Loughman, CEO/President of Roman stated, "We are excited about the opportunity to expand Roman's showroom by an additional 50 percent in Atlanta. The increase in space will allow us to create small showcases for key product lines, while improving the overall appearance of the thousands of items Roman offers. Cottage Garden is still the premier music box line in the market. Their spot in the room will change to allow Cottage Garden to display more music boxes, more framed sentiment and more plan-o-grams. We hope these changes make the overall shopping experience for Roman's customers more efficient and enjoyable. On top of improving the display of Roman and Cottage Garden's existing products, the additional space allows us to highlight the new product categories we will introduce in the first six months of 2012. Roman will have new products in baby, garden and everyday gift to help fill the voids that have been left by the departure of some giftware companies in 2011."

Roman is planning a Ribbon cutting and cocktail party for the expansion on the afternoon of Friday, January 13.

Magnet Works Hires New National Sales Manager

Magnet Works Ltd., a leading provider of indoor and outdoor home décor accessories, has hired Debbie Glud to fill the role of National Sales Manager.

Glud is a 20-year veteran of the gift industry, having boosted sales on behalf of retailers, rep organizations, and manufacturers alike. Before joining Magnet Works, Glud served as Director of Sales for Lineworks Family of Reps, which represents Magnet Works in several Eastern states. In her new role, Glud will lead Magnet Works' network of over 100 independent sales reps across the country.

"Debbie's commitment to serving independent retailers is second to none. She has a great understanding of our products and our customers. Plus, her wealth of experience and fresh perspective will add both value and energy to our company," said Tammy Hickel, Executive VP and General Manager at Magnet Works.

Hiring Glud was the latest in a string of leadership additions that began at Magnet Works in September. Curt Todd, the CEO at Magnet Works, believes these organizational changes will yield exciting possibilities for the company.

"With our new Sales Manager, Product Developer, and General Manager in place, we're better equipped than ever to serve specialty retailers and help them successfully grow," said Todd.

Creative Co-Op Relocates, Expands at Gift+Home at Las Vegas Market

Creative Co-Op will relocate and expand to a new larger showroom in Building C, Suite C-712 of the World Market Center for Winter 2012 Gift+Home at Las Vegas Market, Jan. 30-Feb. 3, 2012.

The Memphis, TN based manufacturer and importer of decorative accessories and gifts will expand its showroom to nearly 9,000 square feet, a 65 percent growth over their previous space, and has renewed for an additional three years.

"We are extremely excited to be both relocating and expanding our presence at World Market Center Las Vegas," said Lee Wang, Creative Co-Op's executive vice president. "Over the last few years, despite a challenging environment, we have experienced steady and significant sales increases with a loyal west coast customer base that continues to make Las Vegas its primary market destination."

"Creative Co-Op is an ideal partner with Gift+Home at Las Vegas Market in bridging the furnishings, gift and home décor with a strong focus on lifestyle merchandising. As an industry leader in the total home lifestyle category, they demonstrate how to showcase a brand beyond product, but in a way that truly connects with the customer," said Robert Maricich, chief executive officer of International Market Centers, parent company of World Market Center Las Vegas.

Creative Co-Op designs, imports and distributes accent furniture, accent lighting, wall décor, tabletop accessories and seasonal categories for retailers around the world. The company was founded in 2001 and has extensive experience in offshore sourcing focused on design, workmanship, finishing and timely delivery.

AmericasMart Atlanta Debuts Dynamic New Website

AmericasMart Atlanta has announced the next step in its comprehensive digital marketing strategy with the launch of a new website – www.americasmart.com. The new site is said to be the industry's premier online resource for buyers and exhibitors with proprietary content as well as business and educational resources. It features improved navigation, dynamic content showcasing the vibrancy of AmericasMart through video and photography and exclusive online tools designed to optimize the Market experience for users.

"We have an ongoing mission to provide the ultimate Market experience for our buyers and exhibitors," says Jeffrey L. Portman, Sr., president and chief operating officer of AmericasMart. "That includes advancing their businesses by providing leading resources and services. Our new website incorporates a wealth of innovative tools to help plan Market visits and access all the assets of the world's global market.

"As a business partner, buyers and exhibitors need to be able to connect with our Market center 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We want that connection to be as easy and productive as possible. The new website offers options to connect from any place, any time through online and mobile access. It's another way we can create value for all our customers."

FDA Presents 5th Annual 2011 Rising Stars of Interior Design At November Event

The New York Chapter of IFDA will honor its Rising Stars of Interior Design at a cocktail reception Monday evening, November 14th at the New York Design Center.

Designer Jamie Drake will introduce Brad Ford—a 2008 recipient of the award—who will host the event. This year's top stars include Anne Maxwell Foster and Suysel dePedro Cunningham, partners at Tilton Fenwick Interior Design, Nick Olsen of Nick Olsen Inc. and Ron Marvin of Ron Marvin Design.

Additionally, three 'starlets' representing top interior design schools have been selected as well. They are Ho Youn Yi, New York School of Interior Design, Janice Wong, Parson's School of Design and John Feger, Fashion Institute of Technology.

The program will be held at Cliff Young Ltd. Suite 505 at the New York Design Center, 200 Lexington Avenue beginning at 5:30 p.m. with a cocktail reception, followed by a presentation at 6:15 p.m.

RSVP and payment by noon on Friday, November 11 for IFDA members. $20; guests, $40; IFDA student members, $10; student guests, $20.

After Friday, November 11, prices increase. For ticket information, call 212/686-6020, email ifdanyny@verizon.net or visit ifda.com/node/30.

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November

• 12-14, Gatlinburg, TN, Gatlinburg Apparel & Jewelry Market, nortonshows.com
• 13-16, Ocean City, MD, Ocean City Resort Expo, oceancitygiftshow.com

• 4-7, Myrtle Beach, SC, Grand Strand Gift & Resort Show, grandstrandgiftshow.com

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