Tuesday, November 3

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

8:30 a.m.  Complimentary Coffee, sponsored by Thermos, L.L.C.

Get it while it’s hot! Complimentary coffee is available on opening day in the Lobby to help buyers stay energized. Sponsored by Thermos.
Location: Lobby

9:00 a.m.  Swag Bag Giveaway, sponsored by Kole Imports

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 an IGES tote bag* filled with samples from participating vendors. Make sure you arrive early! Sponsored by Kole Imports.
Location: Near swag station

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

9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.  Swag Station, sponsored by Kole Imports & The Wilusz Way

Visit the Swag Station daily to increase your chances of winning a cash prize! One entry per day. Plus, play and win an item from our IGES-branded merchandise station. Every participant is a winner! Check out our sponsors Kole Imports and The Wilusz Way.
Location: Booth # 2744

11:30 a.m. New Buyer Tour, hosted by Lynn Schulte

New to IGES? Join the New Buyer Tour and start your show experience with confidence. Led by the IGES Buyer Relations Concierge, this guided tour will help you navigate the show floor, discover key resources, and learn essential tips to make the most of your time at IGES. Get the insider information you need to hit the ground running from day one!

Location: Lobby

1:00 – 1:30 p.m.  Sustainability Fireside Chat

Are you looking for products that do good in the world to stock in your store? This 30-minute fireside chat will be led by ZAG Board Member, April Terranella. RSVP for the Fireside Chat & Tour here. To learn more, visit the ‘Sustainability in Retail‘ page.

Location: Lobby

Preview sustainable vendors here.

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 Fireside Chat, led by ZAG Board Members April Terranella and James Sheard. RSVP for the Fireside Chat & Tour here. To learn more, visit the ‘Sustainability in Retail‘ page.

Location: Lobby

Preview sustainable vendors here.

5:00 – 7:00 p.m.  Opening Night Mixer

Join us in celebrating with your colleagues and other industry professionals at the opening night party! Enjoy complimentary drinks on us! RSVP for the mixer here!
Location: Lobby

Wednesday, November 4

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

9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.  Swag Station, sponsored by Kole Imports & The Wilusz Way

Visit the Swag Station daily to increase your chances of winning a cash prize! One entry per day. Plus, play and win an item from our IGES-branded merchandise station. Every participant is a winner! Check out our sponsors Kole Imports and The Wilusz Way.
Location: Booth # 2744

3:00 pm – 4:00 pm  S’mores Happy Hour, sponsored by Little Oak LLC

Enjoy a limited one-hour s’mores activation, where attendees can enjoy complimentary s’mores and bring a little outdoor-inspired charm to their sourcing experience. Sponsored by Little Oak LLC.
Location: Campground Pavilion

4:00 pm  Campfire Tour with ZAG

Join us for the Campfire Tour, led by ZAG members.
Location: Lobby

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

Join other industry colleagues for a complimentary buyer dinner to network, engage, and forge valuable relationships in your market. RSVP here.*
• Caves
• Museums
• Destination (Amusement Parks, Waterparks, Resorts, and Tourist Town/Main St. Attractions) 
• Campgrounds, National & State Parks

*RSVP closes on October 16 at 8:00 A.M. EST.

If you need to reach out regarding your RSVP, please email Lynn Schulte at [email protected]. Thank you, we look forward to seeing everyone!

Thursday, November 5

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

9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.  Swag Station, sponsored by Kole Imports & The Wilusz Way

Visit the Swag Station daily to increase your chances of winning a cash prize! One entry per day. Plus, play and win an item from our IGES-branded merchandise station. Every participant is a winner! Check out our sponsors Kole Imports and The Wilusz Way.
Location: Booth # 2744

11:00 am  New Vendor Tour with MSA (led by Kacey Cramer, The North Carolina Aboretum)

Join this guided tour to explore a curated selection of exhibitors from among the more than 150 new vendors at IGES. Today’s customers are always looking for fresh, innovative products, and this tour is designed to help you uncover exciting new offerings, make valuable supplier connections, and find your next best-selling item before anyone else.

Location: Lobby

Wednesday, November 4

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, sponsored by Kole Imports

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! Sponsored by Kole Imports.
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 Coffee

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

11:30 a.m.  New Buyer Tour, hosted by Lynn Schulte

New to IGES? Join the New Buyer Tour and start your show experience with confidence. Led by the IGES Buyer Relations Concierge, this guided tour will help you navigate the show floor, discover key resources, and learn essential tips to make the most of your time at IGES. Get the insider information you need to hit the ground running from day one!
Location: Lobby

2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Trending Product Tour with ZAG

Ready to explore the hottest innovations hitting the market?

The On Trend tour takes you behind the scenes with carefully curated vendor stops featuring the most exciting new products our sales team has handpicked just for you. You’ll get exclusive access to trending products before they become industry standards. RSPV for the tour here.

Location: LeConte Center at Pigeon Forge, Lobby

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

Join other industry colleagues for a complimentary buyer dinner to network, engage, and forge valuable relationships in your market. RSVP here.*
• Caves
• Museums
• Destination (Amusement Parks, Waterparks, Resorts, and Tourist Town/Main St. Attractions) 
• Campgrounds, National & State Parks

*RSVP closes on October 16 at 8:00 A.M. EST.

If you need to reach out regarding your RSVP, please email Lynn Schulte at [email protected]. We look forward to seeing everyone in TN!

Thursday, November 5

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

12:30 p.m.  Zoo, Aquarium & Garden Buyer Group (ZAG) Annual Member Meeting

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

• “Happy Earth Award” for Sustainability – voted on by the ZAG Group
• “Looking Good Award” for Merchandising – voted on by the ZAG Group
• “New Cub Award” for the Best New Exhibitor – voted on by the ZAG Group

Location: LeConte Center at Pigeon Forge

3:00 p.m.  Discovery Tour with ZAG

Join us for the Discovery Tour, led by ZAG.
Location: Lobby at LeConte Center at Pigeon Forge

Friday, November 6

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

Saturday, November 7

Registration Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Show Hours: 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

8:30 a.m. Morning Brew

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