Buyer registration is now being accepted for the 25th Annual Atlantic Craft Trade Show scheduled for February 2-4, 2002 at the World Trade & Convention Centre in Halifax. Open exclusively to industry, the show is designed to promote Atlantic Canadian crafts and giftware to buyers from across Canada, the United States and other off-shore locations.
Buyers at the show will find three floors of product displays representing about 200 producers. The Atlantic Craft Trade Show will showcase the finest in home decor, gardening, souvenirs, candles, clothing, food, glass, jewellery, leather, metal, native, paintings, pottery, stone, wood and more during the three day event.
"The Atlantic Craft Trade Show is an excellent opportunity for Prince Edward Island craftspeople and buyers to experience the craft industry at its best and secure new contacts," said the Honourable Mike Currie, Minister of Development and Technology. "The show features the finest this region has to offer and I strongly believe that Atlantic Canadian, and PEI products in particular, can compete with the finest products in the world."
Five new producers from Prince Edward Island will be exhibiting at ACTS this year. They are the PEI Specialty Chip Co., Gail's Country Pantry, Sweet and Sour Gargoyles, Lily Pad Creations and Faux FX. PEI is also very pleased to welcome eight returning exhibitors to this year's show including Capricorn Two Design, Malpeque Fine Iron, Cass Craft of PEI, Col-Mar Crafts, McAskill's Woodworking, Island Winds, Island Lights and Canoe Cove Studio. The Prince Edward Island Government will also showcase a PEI Collection at this year's event, profiling new producers in the industry.
"Being the 25th Atlantic Craft Trade Show makes the 2002 edition especially exciting," said Chris Tyler, Chair of the 2002 Atlantic Craft trade Show. "The show has earned a quality reputation over the years and interest from buyers continues to grow each year. Consumer sales seem to have rebounded after a hesitation in the fall and we are expecting a strong summer for 2002 and, consequently, a lot of interest from buyers at the Atlantic Craft Trade Show in February."
Last year saw over 1400 buyers participate in the Atlantic Craft Trade Show and sales orders were estimated at $1.5 million.
Industry buyers interested in participating in this leading retail event can now register by contacting the Atlantic Craft Trade Show office at (902) 424-8609 or acts@gov.ns.ca. Online registration is also available at www.actshow.ca and must be received no later than February 1, 2002.
The Atlantic Craft Trade Show is jointly sponsored by the governments of New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island and the 2002 show is hosted by the Nova Scotia government.