Winners To Be Announced At November 2019 Smoky Mountain Gift Show; New Milestone Recognition Program Also Announced

ATLANTA (June 6, 2019) – To recognize gift and souvenir industry members who truly stand out for their leadership skills, career achievements and business best practices, Clarion UX has launched the new “Spotlight Awards” program.  Nominated by vendors, retailers and other industry organizations, winners in 3 categories will be announced during a special Spotlight Awards reception at the upcoming November 6-9, 2019 Smoky Mountain Gift Show in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.

Industry members are invited to nominate industry colleagues, companies or organizations by Friday, July 26 by completing the online nomination form. Nominees will be reviewed and winners chosen by the Clarion UX jury panel.

“We are so excited to announce this new awards program, which is the direct outgrowth of the ‘Partner | Family| Friend’ brand promise we have made to all of our customers,” explains Lisa Glosson, Vice President, Gift & Souvenir Portfolio, Clarion UX.  “We know time is money and in today’s increasingly challenging business climate, we are committed to helping our customers make the most of both at our events.  Every member of our team is constantly striving to treat our customers like family – because that is who they are to us.  What better way to illustrate this point than to recognize some of our ‘family’ members who go above and beyond in their businesses and in their daily lives.”

This exciting new gift and souvenir industry award will shine a special spotlight on companies, organizations or individuals in three categories that excel in a number of areas, including leadership, career achievements, and best practices. The three award categories include:

PARTNER SPOTLIGHT AWARD –Recognizing an individual or company that truly embodies the spirit of partnership as demonstrated through efforts ranging from community involvement to  personnel enrichment.

FAMILY SPOTLIGHT AWARD – Recognizing a  family-owned business that exemplifies solid values, business qualities and best practices. 
 
FRIEND SPOTLIGHT AWARD – Recognizing an individual who embodies the true spirit of friendship.  This is that person you know you can always count on – the one who’s  always willing to help out or lend an ear, share advice, and always brings a smile to your face when you see them coming down the exhibit hall aisle or into your shop. 
 
MILESTONE CELEBRATION
In addition to its new Spotlight Awards program, Clarion UX has also launched a new “Milestone” recognition campaign for its show audiences, too.  If retailers, vendors or other industry members are celebrating a milestone like, for example, an anniversary, special business achievement, certain number of visits to Clarion UX trade shows, or other, they are invited to share these so Clarion UX can, in turn, share them with the industry.

“Our customers are our trade show family and we want to hear about their successes, anniversaries, news and special events, “adds Glosson.  “And we think other members of our extended trade show family would too.”

Industry members can visit any of the websites in the Gift/Souvenir portfolio to complete the milestone announcement form.  Once received, the Clarion UX team will share the news via the respective show’s newsletters, social media, website and through onsite promotions as well.  Site include:

Philadelphia Gift Show – www.philadelphiagiftshow.com
Las Vegas Souvenir & Resort Gift Show – www.lvsouvenirshow.com
Ocean City Resort Gift Expo – www.oceancitygiftshow.com 
Smoky Mountain Gift Show – www.smokymtngiftshow.com 
Grand Strand Gift & Resort Merchandise Show – www.grandstrandgiftshow.com  

ABOUT CLARION UX
Founded in 1995, Urban Expositions, now operating as Clarion UX and owned by Clarion Events, produces and manages a portfolio of 36 trade and consumer events, serving a range of industry sectors including Gift, Souvenir, Art, Aviation, Apparel, Foodservice, Specialty Retail, Gaming, Automotive and Enthusiast Lifestyle, with offices in Kennesaw, GA, Trumbull, CT, Portland, OR, and Boca Raton, FL. www.clarionux.com

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