The Honourable Mike Currie, Minister of Development and Technology, presented awards today to the winners of the Second Annual Buyer's Market Awards. During the two-day wholesale show held at the Confederation Centre of the Arts in January, winners were selected in the following categories: Buyer's Choice, Best Product and Best Booth.
The Buyer's Choice Award is voted on by the buyers who attend the show and this year's recipient is Brenda Watt's Woodwork and Design. Brenda designs and creates a large variety of unique and useful wooden products.
This was the first year at the show for Brenda Watt's Woodwork and Design, and the company also took home the Best Product Award, which is voted on by a panel of judges.
The final award, Best Booth, was presented to Linkletter PEI which was displaying its Raspberry Cordial product line at the show. The judges chose this booth for its ability to creatively display a single product line.
"PEI's craft and giftware industry is a significant contributor to the provincial economy, and our Island's talented craftspeople are responsible for its success," said Minister Currie. "The Buyer's Market Awards are designed to recognize superior effort and achievement at the show, and I am pleased to present Linkletter PEI and Brenda Watt's Woodwork & Design with this year's honours."
Over 300 buyers from across the Maritimes toured the 60 plus exhibits at the Buyer's Market. Only in its second year, the show is establishing itself as a major industry event. This year's Buyer's Market not only saw an increase in exhibits and buyers, but direct wholesale sales reached over a quarter of a million dollars, with many more orders expected to follow.
The PEI Craft & Giftware Buyer's Market was launched by the provincial government last year as one of several initiatives designed to promote and enhance the Island's craft and giftware industry.