2023 Events & Features

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.

8:30 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

9:00 a.m.  Swag Bag Giveaway

The first 200 qualified attendees (Retail Buyers, Importers/Distributors, Non-Retail Buyers) are welcome to pick up a swag bag at the Toy + On Trend Pavilion. The bag is sponsored by ‘Enchanted Moments’ filled with samples from participating vendors from the newly curated Toy + On Trend Pavilion.
Location: Toy + On Trend Pavilion, Booth #3035

9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.  Swag Station

Visit the Swag Station daily to increase your chances of winning a Toyota Tacoma! One entry per day. Plus, play and win an item from our IGES-branded merchandise station. Every participant is a winner!
Location: Booth # 2945

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.

Location: Lobby

3:00 – 4:00 p.m.  Toy + On Trend Happy Hour in Partnership with Enchanted Moments

Join us to network and enjoy free beer and wine.
Location: Toy + On Trend Pavilion

5:00 – 7:00 p.m.  Opening Night Party

Celebrate with your colleagues and other industry professionals at the opening night party! Featuring Monsters of Yacht straight out of Nashville, Tennessee, as the premier tribute to the Yacht Rock genre, delivering recreations of songs from artists like Christopher Cross, Doobie Brothers, TOTO, Robbie Dupree, Player, Hall & Oats, Steely Dan, Gerry Rafferty, and more. Enjoy complimentary drinks on us! PLEASE RSVP HERE.
Location: Lobby

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

9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.  Swag Station

Visit the Swag Station daily to increase your chances of winning a Toyota Tacoma! One entry per day. Plus, play and win an item from our IGES-branded merchandise station. Every participant is a winner!
Location: Booth # 2945

5:30 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. The deadline to RSVP has passed.
• Caves
• Museums
• Amusement & Water Parks
• Campgrounds + National & State Parks

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!

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

9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.  Swag Station

Visit the Swag Station daily to increase your chances of winning a Toyota Tacoma! One entry per day. Plus, play and win an item from our IGES-branded merchandise station. Every participant is a winner!
Location: Booth # 2945

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 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

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.

  • “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

5:30 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. The deadline to RSVP has passed.
• Caves
• Museums
• Amusement & Water Parks
• Campgrounds + National & State Parks

If you need to reach out regarding your RSVP, please email Lynn Schulte at lynn.schulte@emeraldx.com. 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. – 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 11

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

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