A contingent of Prince Edward Island craftspeople attended the 20th Annual Atlantic Craft Trade Show (ACTS) held at the World Trade and Convention Centre in Halifax earlier this month. The show provides Island craftspeople with an opportunity to showcase their wares and make important business contacts. In 1996 alone, sales of PEI products increased 12.9 percent to total $135,000 thousand.
The three-day event, held February 1 - 3, featured quality crafts, giftware and apparel produced by Atlantic Canadian craftspeople and is one of the longest running and most successful Atlantic provincial cooperative projects in place today. The trade show is open to buyers, agents, distributers and shop owners.
"A total of 1,260 buyers from Canada, the United States, Japan and France attended this year's show," said Wes MacAleer, Minister of Economic Development and Tourism. "Participation at the show has resulted in a steady increase in sales over the last number of years. As it is the only wholesale craft show in Canada, it is an important venue for Island craftspeople to exhibit their products."
Since its inception 20 years ago, the show has grown into one of the highest quality and most well-respected craft/giftware trade shows in Canada today. The event recorded wholesale sales figures of over 1.2 million this year.
One of the 23 Island booths, Fishirts of Rusticoville, won the 1997 Award for Visual Display. The company, owned by Tracy and Karen Gallant, produces an ancient art form to create one-of-a-kind prints of fish on cotton T-shirts. This was their first attendance at a wholesale show.
For more information, contact Joan Auld, Economic Development and Tourism, (902) 368-4799.