Come to Shop, Stay for the Great Benefits

Get the sparkle at the Jewelry Preview.
Get the savvy during free seminars.
Get the newest American-made gift, home and fashion products at the show.
Get your groove on during our 30th anniversary dance party.

The Buyers Market is more than a trade show: Attend the free seminars. Share your ideas at Think Tanks, as we work together to open new markets for home decor items, fashion accessories and gift products made by U.S. and Canadian studio artists. Stay for the camaraderie, networking and valuable trade secrets and tips. Because of retailers and artists like you, we have a proud past to recognize and a bright future to anticipate. So come out to see the newest designs and embrace the contributions to the industry made by both older and newer generations. Have fun while you refresh your stock, your sales skills and your promotions. See you in Philadelphia!

Friday, February 17

  • 10 a.m.-7 p.m. — Buyer Registration open
  • 12 p.m.-1:30 p.m. — New Exhibitor Orientation and Dynamic Craft Sales, with Bruce Baker. Location: Room 111
  • 2 p.m.-3:30 p.m. — SEMINAR (for exhibitors) Lighting Your Booth to Fire Up Sales, with David Steinitz

    • We’re putting the spotlight on booth lighting, which can dramatically enhance the appearance of your products when you exhibit in a booth in a cavernous convention center. David Steinitz of F.I.R.E./ L.T.D., a lighting consultant based in Los Angeles, has retail, exhibition, museum and gallery experience. With clients around the globe, he is known for his lighting solutions for unusual venues and situations. Learn what a difference proper lighting can have on your sales. Free. Location: Room 112

    (Note to retailers: David will be discussing recent advances in store lighting during a Think Tank mini-session in the Concession Area on Saturday at 3 p.m.)

  • 2-3:30 p.m. — SEMINAR (for retailers) Jewelry Today: Stay Relevant in a Fast-Changing Market

    • How will you ensure that your store’s jewelry stands out in a world of Pandora bracelets and big-box competitors? How will you attract Next Gen and entry-level shoppers today, and convert them to couture shoppers tomorrow? Ask the nationally recognized spokeswomen for the jewelry industry, Amanda Gizzi and Molly Fallon. With more than 20 years of combined communications experience, Amanda and Molly are a powerhouse duo from the Jewelry Information Center, the consumer education arm of Jewelers of America in New York. Together, they will be providing an in-depth look at consumer buying habits, the hottest trends for 2012, and essential tips to help retailers profit from fashion’s powerful influence on jewelry sales. Learn how to romance jewelry-buying customers of every generation. Free. Location: Room 113AB

  • 3-4 p.m. — One-on-One with Bruce Baker: Business Consultations


    • SOLD OUT** Craft retailing and sales technique expert Bruce Baker will offer free 15-minute, one-on-one business counseling sessions Friday through Sunday. Exhibitors may request a booth visit; retailers may sign up for a private session. One topic per session, please. Sign up in advance by contacting Jean Thompson at jeant@rosengrp.com. First come, first served; space is limited. **Preregistrations have filled all available time slots for one-on-one sessions, but you can hear Bruce speak today at his seminar for new exhibitors at noon today in Room 111 or at 4 p.m. Saturday at his Think Tank mini-seminar in the Concession Area at the end of Aisle 2300. If you’d like to contact Bruce, please drop your business card in his mail box at the Press Room, located on the Concourse.

  • 4 -7 p.m. — Jewelry Preview of the 30th Anniversary Buyers Market

    • Meet more than 200 contemporary jewelry artists who design with gold, silver, gems, pearls and alternative materials. Our Premier Jewelry Pavilion will open exclusively for buyers who want a first look at the newest lines. You’ll see handcrafted, high-fashion styles in limited editions and at low minimums. Statement pieces and stand-out designs by U.S. and Canadian artists will make your store distinct from your competitor’s. The Jewelry Preview is wholesale to the trade only. Location: Hall C

    Saturday, February 18

  • 8 a.m.-6 p.m. — Buyer Registration open
  • 8:30-10 a.m. — SEMINAR: Next Gen and the New Retail Economy: Selling Across Generations

    • The Buyers Market celebrates its 30th anniversary with a look into the future of craft retailing. Learn to sell across the generations, attract and cultivate mobile young shoppers, and navigate the changing landscape of design, style, handmade and home. Our speakers are artist-educator Megan Auman, right, and arts business guru Tara Gentile, left. Megan is a metalsmith and jewelry designer, and an exhibitor at the Buyers Market whose line is sold across the country. She founded Crafting an MBA to help artists develop their business skills, and has been in demand a speaker on topics related to arts entrepreneurship. Tara is a creative business coach and editor-in-chief of the blog Scoutie Girl. She has authored popular digital guides on branding, profiting and earning in the new economy and has made numerous presentations at arts conferences. Free. Location: Room 113AB

  • 10 a.m. — Ribbon cutting. Location: Doorway to Hall C
  • 10 a.m.-6 p.m. — Buyers Market open
  • 10 a.m.-6 p.m. — Visiting Artist Program: Winter Workshop of the Arts Business Institute

    • The Buyers Market and Arts Business Institute present a two-day workshop teaching arts business skills to artists. Included are seminars on wholesaling, gallery relations, pricing and exhibiting. Taught by veteran retailers and artists, the Winter Workshop prepares artists to sell their work to galleries and retail stores, and includes a tour of the show floor. New! Participants will display their creations in an emerging artists’ exhibition and receive product development and marketing advice from Buyers Market retailers and staff. Get registration info and details here.

  • 12:30 p.m. — Fashion Show: Spotlight on Wearable Art

    • Handmade with fashion flair: Come see the hottest designs in wearable art and accessories made by Buyers Market exhibitors. Location: Fashion Show Stage, end of Aisle 2100

  • 2 -6 p.m. — Think Tank

    • Back by popular demand: Think Tank mini-sessions, with a new arts business topic every hour on the hour. Drop in! Think Tank location: Concession Area, end of Aisle 2300. Topics:
    2 p.m. Driving Foot Traffic Today
    In this modern age, there are a million ways to communicate to customers and get them to shop. Should you use Facebook, Twitter, FourSquare, or e-mail, or some combination of those? How do you get more mindshare with your customers so they remember you and visit you often? In this highly interactive session, Dan Jablons of Management One will help you learn the successful actions that retailers around the country utilize to drive traffic and sales.
    3 p.m. Making Products Shine (and Sell): Lighting for Retail Galleries
    Don’t make your customers squint: Bring your best products into the light. David Steinitz of F.I.R.E./ L.T.D. advises galleries, exhibitions, retail stores, and decorators on cost-effective lighting that can make an impact on your sales.
    4 p.m. Every Employee Can Be a Top Seller
    What if every one of your employees was a 5-star sales pro? Hiring well and training for success pays off every time. Let retailing consultant Bruce Baker show you a simple, effective way to get the best from every employee for results that you can measure in new revenue.
    5 p.m. Supporting Native American Art
    Buy the real thing, not imported knock-offs or fakes. Learn the difference, and the laws affecting the classification, sale and protection of authentic Indian Art. Come see examples and talk with jeweler Tony Eriacho, representing the Council of Indigenous Arts and Culture, the Indian Art and Crafts Association, and the Independent Zuni Cultural Arts Council.

  • 2 -4 p.m. — One-on-One with Bruce Baker: Business Consultations

    • SOLD OUT ** Craft retailing and sales technique expert Bruce Baker will offer 15-minute, one-on-one business counseling sessions Friday through Sunday. Exhibitors may request a booth visit; retailers may sign up for a private session. One topic per session, please. Sign up in advance by contacting Jean Thompson at jeant@rosengrp.com. First come, first served; space is limited. **Preregistrations have filled all available time slots for one-on-one sessions, but you can hear Bruce speak today at 4 p.m. at his Think Tank mini-seminar in the Concession Area at the end of Aisle 2300. If you’d like to contact Bruce, please drop your business card in his mail box at the Press Room, located on the Concourse.

  • 6-9 p.m. — NICHE Awards Reception and Ceremony

    • The prestigious NICHE Awards competition has attracted nearly 2,000 entries in 38 categories this year. Meet the professional and student division finalists and winners, chosen by distinguished judges from throughout the craft industry. Our emcee will be Dan Jablons, a professional improv and stand-up comedian who moonlights as a finance and business coach with the Management One retail consulting firm. Hey, shouldn’t retail business be fun? Presented by NICHE magazine. Admission is free: Show your Buyers Market badge at the door. Reception and ceremony location: Auditorium, Room 114

    And don’t forget to visit the NICHE Awards Display, presenting the innovative and marketable designs of our finalists. The display is open during show hours, today through Monday. It would be our pleasure to help you contact any of our finalists and to meet those in the professional division who are exhibiting this weekend at the Buyers Market. Display location: Concourse

    Shown here is Mizu Wave Ring by Andrea Williams, a finalist in the fine jewelry category, professional division.

    Sunday, February 19

  • 8 a.m.-6 p.m. — Buyer Registration open
  • 8:30-10 a.m. — SEMINAR: (for retailers) I’m Making Money, I Just Wish I Could FIND It

    • Most retail stores are working hard to generate sales in this economy. Sales are critical, but they are only part of the equation. Ensuring that you have the right inventory in the right place at the right time is the key to financial success. The process of planning sales and planning inventory is called Open To Buy. Most independent retailers have heard about it, but how can you apply it to your business? In this interactive session, learn the basic elements of Open to Buy and make them work for your store. Dan Jablons, comedian and actor on “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” entertains while he offers practical advice and tips that will help you balance your inventory and put products customers want on your shelves when you need them. Join us for this essential seminar, then visit the Management One booth on the Concourse. Free. Seminar location: Room 113AB

  • 8:30-10 a.m. — SEMINAR: (for artists) Market Your Work to Cultural Attractions, Aquariums, Parks, Zoos & Museums

    • The Made in America movement is opening doors for craft artists in the stores catering to visitors and tourists at zoos, aquariums, parks and other cultural attractions. Some are run by hospitality and concession companies, while others are run by volunteers or nonprofits. Meet buyers who can give you an inside view, including Tammy Ward of Guest Services Inc. She is an officer of ZAG, the national Zoo and Aquarium Buyers Group. She works for Guest Services Inc. and buys for the store in the National Aquarium in Washington D.C. Also joining us will be Julie Steiner of The Barnes Foundation, which maintains a 12-acre arboretum in addition to its fine art collection; Lynda Marks of the National Museum of Women in the Arts; and David and Mark Stepper, of Sculptures by Stepper, artists who have sold work to zoos and aquariums. The Buyers Market is proud to be a sponsor of ZAG and a member of the Museum Store Association. Free. Location: Room 111

  • 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. — Buyers Market open
  • 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. — Visiting Artist Program: Winter Workshop of the Arts Business Institute continues

    • Get registration info and details here

  • 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. — Emerging Artist Showcase

    • Be the first to see the work of a future generation of wholesaling artists. This year, the Arts Business Institute has added a new feature to its Winter Workshop (formerly called the Visiting Artist Program). Open to all buyers, there will be a display of emerging artists’ creations–all new products created by Winter Workshop participants. The artists will display their designs for the experience of learning to exhibit, and to obtain product development and marketing suggestions from experienced retailers and Buyers Market staff. These items will not be for sale. Please stop by, and fill out a brief critique card to help the new artists as they prepare to enter the wholesale business. Location: Room 112.

  • 12 – 2 p.m. — Preferred Gallery Luncheon

    • Networking and industry news are always highlights of the Preferred Gallery Luncheon. The luncheon is open only to members of the AmericanStyle Preferred Gallery Program (two seats are reserved per gallery — additional tickets may be purchased at Registration). Location: Room 113AB

  • 12:30 p.m. — Fashion Show: Spotlight on Wearable Art

    • Buyers MarketHandmade with fashion flair: new wearable art and accessories made by Buyers Market exhibitors. Location: Fashion Show Stage, end of Aisle 2100

  • 2 p.m. — Think Tank

    • Back by popular demand: Think Tank mini-sessions, with a new arts business topic every hour on the hour. Presentations today 2-6 p.m. Location: Concession Area, end of Aisle 2300. Topics:
    2 p.m. New and Great POS Systems, featuring Cer-Tek Software Designs
    3 p.m. Arts-Travel.com: Is Your Store a Destination?
    4 p.m. Make Art Jewelry and Accessories the Most Profitable Part of Your Store, with retailer Donna Milstein of the Hanson Galleries of Houston, Texas, sponsored by CRAFT.
    5 p.m. Meet the Press: Are You Prepared? Stop waiting for the local newspaper editor to pay attention to your store or product: The new media of retail includes a vast network of magazines, blogs, shopping Websites, TV shows and more. Come find out who’s covering craft and American-made products, and how to make contact.

  • 4 – 6 p.m. — One-on-One with Bruce Baker: Business Consultations

    • SOLD OUT**Craft retailing and sales technique expert Bruce Baker will offer 15-minute, one-on-one business counseling sessions Friday through Sunday. Exhibitors may request a booth visit; retailers may sign up for a private session. One topic per session, please. Sign up in advance by contacting Jean Thompson at jeant@rosengrp.com. First come, first served; space is limited. **Preregistrations have filled all available time slots for one-on-one sessions. If you’d like to contact Bruce, please drop your business card in his mail box at the Press Room, located on the Concourse.

  • 6 – 10 p.m. — Buyers Market 30th Anniversary Celebration

    • The Buyers Market is more than a show: It’s a growing community of American and Canadian craft retailers and art entrepreneurs who started making memories and doing business together in 1982. For many, craft is a family affair with second generations now taking lead roles and changing the face of the industry. New artists and retailers join our community every year. Whether this is your first show or your 30th, come on out and raise a glass to the good, old days and the bright new future of craft retailing. Dance the night away as we celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the Buyers Market with Bounce, Philadelphia’s hottest live band. At the cash bar, enjoy a select menu and specialty drinks. Attire: Party casual. Admission: Free with your Buyers Market badge. Location: The Field House, Street level of the Convention Center complex, at 1150 Filbert Street. See the video: Bounce on YouTube

Monday, February 20

  • 8 a.m.-3 p.m. — Buyer Registration open
  • 8:30-10 a.m. — Exhibitors Wrap-Up Meeting, Room 111
  • 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. — Buyers Market open
  • 3 p.m. — Buyers Market closes