Local companies participate in international craft shows

The Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development is assisting local companies to participate in two upcoming international craft trade shows. The companies will present their products at Canadian Gift and Tableware Association (CGTA) Spring Gift Show in Toronto from January 29 - February 2, and the Atlantic Craft and Trade Show (ACTS) in Halifax from February 4-6.

"The Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development has been a longtime supporter of profiling local companies and products at these valuable shows," said Minister Kathy Dunderdale. "As part of our Wholesale Marketing Program, the department has facilitated the participation of Newfoundland and Labrador companies and products at the CGTA show since 1985. Similarly, we have supported local companies attending ACTS since 1984. Industry shows such as these can be immeasurable in terms of the exposure companies receive and the experience they gain in larger markets."

The CGTA Gift Show in Toronto features over 1,100 exhibitors and attracts close to 27,000 qualified retail buyers from across Canada, the United States and abroad for its spring (January) show. As the second-largest gift trade show in North America and the largest trade event in Canada, the CGTA Gift Show is the definitive gift show of the year. It offers attendees a unique, one-stop-shop buying experience featuring an expansive selection of quality gift products.

Local companies participating in this year�s CGTA show include thedog8it!, Puff Baby children�s clothing and accessories, Ecowise hemp products, Exploits Design outerwear, Hannah Banana children�s clothing and accessories, and Nortique Fashions outerwear.

The ACTS takes place annually in Halifax. Three local companies will attend the show and exhibit their products in the department�s Crafts of Character booth, including Hannah Banana Wear, Inland Knitwear and Ewe Designs. Product lines from five additional companies will also be featured at the Crafts of Character booth, including those from Clay Petals Pottery, Handwoven Designs, Norton�s Cove Studio, and works by Kevin Coates and Brenda Stratton. In addition to the eight companies exhibiting at the Crafts of Character booth, approximately 20 other Newfoundland and Labrador companies will exhibit products at the show.

ACTS is jointly sponsored by the governments of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador. ACTS features approximately 200 exhibitors of high-quality craft, gift and apparel products from the region, and approximately 3,000 buyers place orders over this three-day event. ACTS has been bringing together buyers from across Canada, the United States and other offshore locations for over 29 years. ACTS products are unique and are juried to ensure that standards of excellence are maintained and to guarantee that they are indeed produced and manufactured in Atlantic Canada.

Media contact: Lynn Evans, Communications, (709) 729-4570, 690-6290

2006 01 27                                                     9:40 a.m.