SEVIERVILLE, TN

November 7-9, 2023

PIGEON FORGE, TN

November 8-11, 2023

2023 Events & Features

Sevierville SCHEDULE
PIGEON FORGE SCHEDULE
IGES is more than just a trade show. It’s a unique experience, set in the beautiful Smoky Mountains, for buyers and sellers to network, connect and move business forward. To help you make the most of your time with us, the IGES team has put together a series of events and show features.

Sevierville Schedule

Tuesday, November 7

Registration Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Show Hours: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

8:00 a.m.  Swag Bag Giveaway

The first 200 qualified attendees (Retail Buyers, Importers/Distributors, Non-Retail Buyers) who arrive at Sevierville to pick up their badge will receive a ticket for a tote bag sponsored by ‘Enchanted Moments’ filled with samples from participating vendors from the newly curated Toy + On Trend Pavilion. Make sure you arrive early.
Location: Sevierville Convention Center

8:30 a.m.  Complimentary Breakfast Bites + Coffee

Get it while it’s hot! Complimentary pastries are offered on opening day in the Lobby to make sure buyers are energized for the day.
Location: Lobby at Sevierville Convention Center

9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.  Prize Station & Swag Store

Visit the Prize Station daily to increase your chances of winning a Toyota Tacoma! IGES will also have an exciting new Swag Store where you can participate daily and win an item from our IGES branded merchandise store!
Location: Sevierville Convention Center

1:30 – 3:00 p.m.  Sustainability Shopping Tour

Looking for products that are doing good in the world to stock in your store? This tour is the hands-on portion of our Sustainability in Retail Professional Program (SRPP), led by Tommy Brown of the St. Louis Zoo, Sustainability Buyer. Preview sustainable vendors here.

The SRPP can be purchased when you register for the show. If you have already registered, you can log in to your account (details are in your confirmation email) and add to the cart there. The early bird rate is $49 by September 29th and $79 starting September 30th. Learn more about this program here. Deadline to RSVP: 10/24
Location: Sevierville Convention Center

5:00 – 7:00 p.m.  Opening Night Party

Come celebrate with your colleagues and other industry professionals at the opening night party! Enjoy complimentary drinks!
Location: Sevierville Convention Center

Shuttles will be available from LeConte Center to Sevierville Convention Center and back between 4:45 pm and 7:30 pm.

Wednesday, November 8

Registration Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Show Hours: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

8:30 a.m.  Morning Brew

Complimentary coffee while supplies last daily.
Location: Lobby at Sevierville Convention Center

9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.  Prize Station & Swag Store

Visit the Prize Station daily to increase your chances of winning a Toyota Tacoma! IGES will also have an exciting new Swag Store where you can participate daily and win an item from our IGES branded merchandise store!
Location: Sevierville Convention Center

5:45 p.m.  Hosted Buyer Dinners at DreamMore Resort

Join other industry colleagues for a hosted buyer dinner to network, engage and forge valuable relationships in your market.
Space is limited! Deadline to RSVP: TBD
• Caves
• Museums
• Amusement & Water Parks
• Campgrounds

The deadline to RSVP for our Hosted Buyer Dinners will be added soon. If you need to reach out regarding your RSVP, please email Lynn Visser at lynn.visser@emeraldx.com. Thank You, we look forward to seeing everyone in TN!

Thursday, November 9

Registration Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Show Hours: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

8:30 a.m. Morning Brew

Complimentary coffee while supplies last daily.
Location: Lobby at Sevierville Convention Center

9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.  Prize Station & Swag Store

Visit the Prize Station daily to increase your chances of winning a Toyota Tacoma! IGES will also have an exciting new Swag Store where you can participate daily and win an item from our IGES branded merchandise store!
Location: Sevierville Convention Center

Pigeon Forge Schedule

Wednesday, November 8

Registration Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Show Hours: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

8:00 a.m.  Swag Bag Giveaway

The first 200 qualified attendees (Retail Buyers, Importers/Distributors, Non-Retail Buyers) who arrive at Pigeon Forge to pick up their badge will receive a ticket for an IGES tote bag* filled with samples from participating vendors. Make sure you arrive early!
Location: Registration at Le Conte Center at Pigeon Forge 

*Only one bag per buyer for the totality of the event. If you already received a bag in Sevierville, you cannot get another bag in Pigeon Forge.

8:30 a.m.  Complimentary Breakfast Bites + Coffee

Get it while it’s hot! Complimentary pastries are offered on opening day in the Lobby to make sure buyers are energized for the day.
Location: Lobby at LeConte Center at Pigeon Forge

9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.  Opening Day 10-Year Anniversary Show Specials

IGES is celebrating ten years at Pigeon Forge! To celebrate, attendees will have access to exclusive one-day show specials. So now you can celebrate by saving with participating vendors. 
Location: LeConte Center at Pigeon Forge

12:30 p.m.  Zoo, Aquarium & Garden Buyer Group (ZAG) Awards Luncheon

This luncheon is open to Zoo, Aquarium & Garden (ZAG) buyers only. For information on joining the association for merchandise buyers at zoos, aquariums & gardens, click here.

  • Sustainability – voted on by ZAG group
  • Merchandising – voted on by ZAG group
  • ZAG champion (biggest supporter) – voted on by ZAG group
  • IGES favorite ZAG Buyer (voted on by IGES exhibitors)

Location: LeConte Center at Pigeon Forge

5:45 p.m.  Hosted Buyer Dinners at DreamMore Resort

Join other industry colleagues for a hosted buyer dinner to network, engage and forge valuable relationships in your market.
Space is limited! Deadline to RSVP: TBD
• Caves
• Museums
• Amusement & Water Parks
• Campgrounds

The deadline to RSVP for our Hosted Buyer Dinners will be added soon. If you need to reach out regarding your RSVP, please email Lynn Visser at lynn.visser@emeraldx.com. Thank You, we look forward to seeing everyone in TN!

Thursday, November 9

Registration Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Show Hours: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

8:30 a.m.  Morning Brew

Complimentary coffee while supplies last daily.
Location: Lobby at LeConte Center at Pigeon Forge

5:30 p.m. Zoo, Aquarium & Garden Buyer Group (ZAG) Mixer

This mixer is open to Zoo, Aquarium & Garden Buyer Group (ZAG) buyers only. For information on joining the association for merchandise buyers at zoos, aquariums & gardens, click here.
Location: Rainforest Adventures

Friday, November 10

Registration Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Show Hours: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

8:30 a.m. Morning Brew

Complimentary coffee while supplies last daily.
Location: Lobby at LeConte Center at Pigeon Forge

Saturday, November 11

8:30 a.m. Morning Brew

Complimentary coffee while supplies last daily.
Location: Lobby at LeConte Center at Pigeon Forge

Ready to get started?

Registration Reminder
Exhibit/Inquire