News

What began with a trade show launch and a blizzard has since evolved into the largest gift, airport retail and souvenir trade show organizer in the US. Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, Urban Expositions marks this important milestone with the launch of a brand new website — www.urban-expo.com — that showcases the trade show management company's explosive growth and recent diversification into other industry sectors, including Foodservice, Art, Gaming, Specialty and Aviation. 

Founded in 1995, Urban Expositions launched its semi-annual Philadelphia Gift Show in January 1996 during a severe nor'easter that paralyzed much of the Eastern Seaboard with upwards of three feet of snow.    

Undeterred, Urban Expositions Partners Doug Miller, President, and Tim von Gal, Chief Operating Officer, have since led Urban to its current-day position as a dominant force in the gift and souvenir sector and a rapidly emerging show management leader in the Foodservice, Art, Gaming and Aviation industries — boasting a total of 35 shows a year. 

The company's growth has been fueled over the years by a series of show launches, strategic acquisitions, referrals from business associates and industry friends, brand extensions, and strong partnerships with associations and other industry groups.

Urban's new website offers a true snapshot of just how much the company has grown and evolved over its 20-year history.  As a comprehensive, easy-to-navigate showcase of the company's expanding show roster and services, it offers quick access to dates, details and other information for shows in each of the company's divisions, including:

GIFT & SOUVENIR

Specializing in shows custom-tailored to the regions they serve, Urban's largest division encompasses 21 successful gift, decorative accessory, souvenir and resort merchandise trade shows. These include the semi-annual California Gift Show, Orlando Gift Show and Orlando Cash & Carry Show, Philadelphia Gift Show, San Francisco International Gift Fair, Seattle Gift Show, Windy City Gift Show and the annual Boston Gift Show, Fort Lauderdale Gift Show, Galveston Gift & Resort Merchandise Show, Grand Strand Gift & Resort Merchandise Show, Las Vegas Souvenir & Resort Gift Show, Ocean City Resort Gift Expo, Panama City Beach Gift Show, Portland Gift Show and Smoky Mountain Gift Show

ART

In June of 2013, Urban acquired the international Sculpture Objects, Functional Art + Design Fair (SOFA) from The Art Fair Company. Held annually, this is Chicago's longest continuously running art fair and the world's foremost fair dedicated to studio glass, ceramics, wood, fiber and metal.  Attracting visitors and exhibitors from around the globe, the Fair's artist talks, demonstrations and special exhibitions have made it an indispensable meeting place for artists, collector, dealers, curators and scholars.

SPECIALTY

In November 2014, Urban Expositions teamed up with the Halloween Industry Association (HIA) to acquire the Halloween & Party Expo from H&P Expo, LLC. Under the new partnership, Urban Expositions is responsible for managing all aspects of the prominent, annual event for the Halloween and party industry, including sales, operations, marketing and promotion with guidance and expertise provided by the Halloween Industry Association.      

The new website offers a convenient contact directory for show team members, corporate offices and the executive committee. For more information on Urban Expositions, its shows and services, visit www.urban-expo.com or call 800-318-2238.