Thirty-five craft producers will exhibit their work at the Holiday Inn in St. John�s on the weekend of March 15-16 for the 15^th Annual Provincial Craft Wholesale Show and Marketing Conference.

"Organizing this wholesale craft show is just one of the ways we are committed to assisting the growth of the craft industry in this province," said the Honourable Trevor Taylor, Minister of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development, whose department sponsors the event. "We also provide training seminars, assistance to professional craft-related organizations, and we help craft producers market their products. This industry is a source of employment in all regions of the province."

Approximately 100 wholesale buyers are expected to visit the show to place orders for the coming season. Products at the show include jewelry, pottery, candles, books, stone carvings, pewter ware, wooden goods, jams and teas, beeswax balms, reproduction art work, handmade soaps, and knit ware and woven goods.

Innovation, Trade and Rural Development also produces a wholesale buyer�s catalogue which is mailed to over 500 retailers in Newfoundland and Labrador.

The show is accompanied by professional development seminars on digital photography to help producers effectively photograph their products, organizing financial information and records, branding, and wholesale marketing tips and advice.

As in previous years, awards for Best Booth and the Heather Stone Award for Best New Product will be presented at the show.

Newfoundland and Labrador has a long tradition of excellence in craft production and one of the organizations that supports the industry is the Anna Templeton Centre for Craft, Art and Design in St. John�s. In February, the centre received the Atlantic Canada Craft Industry Leader Award of Excellence which recognizes individuals or organizations that have shown superior leadership and excellence in the development of quality crafts or giftware.

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Media contact:
Scott Barfoot
Director of Communications
Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development
709-729-4570, 690-6290
ScottBarfoot@gov.nl.ca

2008 03 14                                                    9:35 a.m.