This article was published in the May 2010 issue of Souvenirs, Gifts, and Novelties Magazine and may be published in an upcoming issue of Museums and More.

IGES/SSS PUTS BUYERS FIRST!
EXPERIENCES 11 YEARS OF GROWTH IN THE SMOKIES!

This November 3rd – 7th, The International Gift Exposition in the Smokies® (IGES) will host its eleventh annual Gift Expo!  The staff and management of IGES and The Souvenir Super Show (SSS) thank all of you, our attending buyers, vendors and others for the exceptional and enthusiastic support you have repeatedly shown throughout the years!!
We are proud to have THE most loyal exhibitors and generous and enthusiastic buyers of any gift show in the nation!

In 2000, with only 272 booths and barely more than 3,000 buyers, IGES was small but successful from the start!  Now, in our 11th year of growth and with over 1,000 booths available in 2010, IGES/SSS has become THE LARGEST wholesale souvenir, resort and gift expo in the United States!

“OUR BUYERS COME FIRST!”  In our opinion, everything we do to make the IGES/SSS show bigger and better is all about putting buyers’ best interests first!  If buyers are happy and have a good experience, everything else falls into place and everyone benefits!  We think you’ll agree!  (We think our vendors are pretty special, too!)

In 2007, after seven years in multiple show locations in both Pigeon Forge and in Gatlinburg, we moved into our beautiful new home in the Sevierville, TN Events Center finally being able to provide buyers and vendors the convenience of having all exhibits in one location and on one level.  The rapidly growing souvenir portion of our expo was recently given its own identity, The Souvenir Super Show (SSS).  The IGES division will continue to highlight both the resort and gift lines that have repeatedly drawn national recognition. 

BUYERS’ BENEFIT!:  With the show in Gatlinburg changing dates this year, buyers will again experience two great shows for the price and convenience of one trip!  

NEW 2010 OPENING DAY:  The 2010 IGES/SSS will open on a Wednesday this year … Nov. 3rd through Sunday, Nov. 7th.  With the overlapping dates of the two shows, one in Sevierville and one in Gatlinburg, buyers may want to allow extra time to cover the many new and traditional product lines on display!

Again this year, IGES/SSS will be hosting national buying groups, including ZAG (Zoo and Aquarium Gift Buyers), the NCA (National Caves Association), and NARB (National Association of Retail Buyers).  Large or small, all retailers are welcome and invited to join the festivities in November as we celebrate our Eleventh Year in the Smokies!  Take advantage of our many buyer amenities and discover The Largest and Best Souvenir & Resort Gift Expo in America!  To learn more, see www.iges.us, call 800-430-7608 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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