Gourmet Housewares Show® -- Back to its Roots in New Timeframe

Returns to San Francisco in August 2009

White Plains, NY, August 6, 2008—The Gourmet Housewares Show®, the premier marketplace for upscale housewares and culinary products, today announced both location and date changes, beginning with the 2009 edition.

After a four-year stint in Las Vegas and Orlando, The Gourmet Housewares Show will return to San Francisco, the heart of the culinary industry, where it first launched in 1977. The annual Show will move into a summer timeslot to better serve independent retailers fourth quarter buying needs, while also allowing vendors to preview 2010 collections. Dates for 2009 are Saturday, August 8 – Monday, August 10.

The Gourmet Housewares Show will be held in the North Hall of the Moscone Convention Center, and is expected to attract a steady flow of focused buyers and industry executives from high-end independent retailers, specialty chains, department stores and leading direct-to-consumer marketers in all media. In addition to drawing attendees from across the country, the Show will also enjoy a synergistic crossover audience from the summer edition of the San Francisco International Gift Fair®, taking place in the South Hall and Esplanade of the Moscone Center from August 8-11.

GLM vice president and show manager, Penny Sikalis, is confident the repositioning of both the location and timing of the Show will create dynamic results. “After much research and analysis of the evolving specialty housewares marketplace, feedback from our constituencies pointed to the need to move away from the previous timing. Combining strong industry support for the summer timeframe with relocation to San Francisco, we believe the changes are a win-win for all,” said Sikalis.

Exhibitor and attendee response to the move is extremely positive.

“The timing and venue makes a lot of sense, and we at Lifetime Brands support the move ... ABSOLUTELY,” said Jeff Siegel, president and ceo Lifetime Brands.

Janis Johnson, ceo of Gourmet Catalog Buying Group also supports the repositioning of the Gourmet Housewares Show saying, “The timing provides a double benefit for both store and vendor GC members. The August 8 – 10, 2009 dates will accommodate fourth quarter ordering, as well as afford spring planning and preview opportunities – all accomplished in the city that birthed the Gourmet Housewares Show.”

Robert Trinique, president of Innovation Specialists concurs stating, “It’s all about the specialty retailer … this is perfect timing for their needs and that’s what is most important!”

“With the return of the Gourmet Housewares Show to San Francisco along with this new timing, I believe this is a great move for the industry,” said Robert F. Coviello, president HTI Buying Group, Inc.

Robert Laub of Harold Import Company, Inc. agrees with the change, stating, “It was obvious that the Gourmet Housewares Show needed to do something. This change addresses two main concerns … where and when. San Francisco is where it should be and we think the timing hits a sweet spot for retailers with both long & short planning horizons. We are going to bring our order pads. The Gourmet Housewares Show is too important to this industry, and we hope that vendors and retailers alike support this change!”

The Gourmet Housewares Show® is the only industry event to focus on high-end cookware, cutlery, bakeware, small electrics, gadgets, tabletop, kitchen textiles and specialty food. The Show is expected to draw 400 exhibitors and some 4,000 buyers who understand their customers' love of food and entertaining. The Gourmet Housewares Show will be held concurrently with the summer San Francisco International Gift Fair, owned and managed by GLM, a dmg world media business, which features 1200 exhibitors and 16,000 retail attendees.

Detailed exhibitor and attendee information concerning the 2009 Gourmet Housewares Show will be posted in the coming weeks. Additional programming, celebrity appearances and other news will be announced thereafter. Stay tuned, and please check back for ongoing updates.