News

The Las Vegas Souvenir & Resort Gift Show, which runs Sep 28-30, is highlighting minority and women owned businesses leading up to and at the 2021 event along with other emerging categories, which include: sustainable, made in America, and handmade products. Clarion Events, the producers behind the show, are championing diversity and inclusion throughout their business and trade show events.

“As a company we have placed a larger focus on diversity and inclusion within our business and we felt that it was important to extend that into our events. In addition, we have heard from our advisory board and retailers the importance of incorporating products from minority owned and women owned businesses into their stores,” commented Lisa Berry, Vice President of Gift & Souvenir at Clarion Events.

Continued Show Director April Holinek, “According to research we’ve seen from Mintel1, the country is undergoing a cultural shift and an acceleration in mission-driven retail – 54% of U.S. consumers actively try to support retailers and brands whose purpose aligns with the own values and morals. We want to make a conscious effort to highlight these brands to make it easy for buyers and suppliers to connect.”

Tommy Brown, Retail Manager/Buyer of Conservation Goods at Saint Louis Zoo and advisory board member for the Las Vegas Souvenir & Resort Gift Show added, “As buyers, we are the key decision makers of products to the general public. We have a responsibility to understand that not everyone is like you, nor will they see products the same way you see them. It is very possible to overlay Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Access (DEIA) into buying choices.”

The Las Vegas Souvenir & Resort Gift Show has added the opportunity for exhibitors to identify themselves as a minority or women owned business. From there, they have highlighted exhibitors in these categories throughout the marketing campaign on the event website, emails, and direct mail pieces. There will also be a handout at the show of minority and women owned businesses.

The show encourages buyers to visit the booths of the following exhibitors:

Minority Owned Businesses

• Anderson Souvenir, LLC,  949
• Art by Lawrence Vargas, 1292
• Bareket Fine Jewelry, 1530
• Big Bang Clothing, 154
• Coddies Footwear, 1650
• Creations By Lily, 162
• Creative Endeavors NW, Inc., 180
• Doodle Pants 295
• Dowdle Folk Art, 970
• Dynasty Gallery, 1850
• LTC Trading Corp., 1598
• Mei Wah Company, 571
• Melissa Lew, T400
• Native American Natural Foods, 1782
• Pennybandz, LLC, 188
• Topline Products, Inc., 159

Women Owned Businesses

• Art For The Young At Heart, 1192
• Big Hairy Dog POS Systems Retail Pro, 1248
• Black Anchor Supply Co., 392
• Bonnie Lee Books, 1910
• Cimarron Candle Company, 994
• Country Home Creations, 1092
• Creations By Lily, 162
• Creative Endeavors NW, Inc., 180
• Doodle Pants, 295
• DrinkingStraws.Glass, 1183
• Erickson Sales Inc., 355
• Focus on Souvenirs, 1471
• Grasshopper’s Mermaid, 1170
• Honey House Naturals, 588
• LTC Trading Corp., 1598
• McGovern Outdoor, 653
• Melissa Lew, T400
• MOBAAK AROMATHERAPY, 882
• Monterey Import Co., 1036
• Pennybandz, LLC, 188
• Portland Innovative Potential, 1084
• R.S. Covenant, Inc., 737
• Raindrops Resort, 269
• SpectraSpray Global, T301
• Topline Products, Inc., 159
• Wallaroo Hat Company, 972
• White Knight Distributors / Your REP, 1714
• Wildlife Artists, Inc., 783

*Other exhibitors may be minority or women owned businesses. If they would like information on how to select that they are in these categories please email [email protected].

“These businesses can add diversity to your buying plan and merchandise portfolio. Once you have added minority owned or women owned products to your location, let customers know the story behind the products on your website or social media platform or place special stickers on goods in your retail locations to highlight them. This will help your consumer make diverse and equitable buying choices,” Brown added.

The Las Vegas Souvenir & Resort Gift Show takes place Sep. 28-30, 2021 at the new West Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center. Qualified buyers can register for free at www.lvsouvenirshow.com.