Sep 17, 2012

ACRE Las Vegas Changes Venue and Show Dates for 2013

After months of research,Wholesalecrafts.com, producers of the American Craft Retailers Expo (ACRE) shows, announces a change in venue and show dates for its seventh annual trade show in Las Vegas.

Next year’s ACRE Las Vegas show will now take place at the South Point Hotel Casino and Spa, Tuesday, April 30 – Thursday, May 2, 2013.

Based on the results of a recent survey conducted by Wholesalecrafts.com, an average of 82.5% of current and past ACRE Las Vegas artist exhibitors and retailer buyer attendees voted in favor of this move. In a separate survey of retailer buyer attendees alone, 71.5% of respondents found a weekday show most preferable in terms of hotel cost savings in Las Vegas and availability to participate at that time.

“This was a customer-based decision,” said Nancy Vince, President,Wholesalecrafts.com. “We realize that this is a bold, visionary move, going somewhat against the grain of traditional trade shows, but in the end it’s what the majority of our customers wanted us to do.”

Wholesalecrafts.com plans to reinvent the ACRE Las Vegas show by inviting the Craft Retailers & Artists for Tomorrow (CRAFT) organization to conduct its first annual professional development conference at the South Point during the day on Tuesday, April 30, with ACRE Las Vegas opening in the evening. Preliminary plans for this 1-day intensive event include CRAFT producing the lineup and securing the speakers, with Wholesalecrafts.combeing the major sponsor. Both artists and retailers will be invited to attend, with reduced ticket costs for ACRE Las Vegas artist exhibitors and CRAFT members.

“We feel this is a very needed event for our industry,” said Vince. “This conference will attract more artists and retailers to the show, as well as bring new energy, professional development, and inspiration to all.”

In addition to hosting a weekday event, show hours for ACRE Las Vegas have also been set to change. New show hours include an opening reception Evening Premier from 5pm – 7:30pm on Tuesday, April 30, and extended show hours from 9am – 6pm on Wednesday, May 1, and from 9am – 5pm on Thursday, May 2.

ACRE Las Vegas’s move to the South Point in 2013 will afford its exhibitors all of the same booth package amenities and benefits as before, inclusive of pipe and drape, crossbar, carpet, electricity, tall chair, in-hall WiFi internet access and unlimited drayage with easy move-in and move-out. The South Point has free covered parking for drive-up loading and unloading located right outside the service entrance to their 80,000 square foot column-free exhibit hall.

“We are very excited about this facility,” said Vince. “It will encompass everything that our exhibitors have grown accustomed to, with an enhanced networking environment. With the South Point’s resort style atmosphere and affordability, we feel that most artists and buyers will want to stay here.”

The South Point is a 4-star rated hotel and convention facility offering ACRE Las Vegas participants reduced $55 per night weekday room rates and 500 square foot standard size rooms. The hotel also offers a spa and fitness center, pool, casino, 16-screen movie theater, 64-lane bowling alley, 10 restaurants, 7 bars and lounges, and more. For more information, visit www.SouthPointCasino.com.

About Wholesalecrafts.com
Wholesalecrafts.com is the premier online marketplace for retailers to source over 1,200 juried American and Canadian wholesale artists featuring jewelry, gifts, fashion accessories, home decor, garden accessories and more, in a variety of price points and styles. Enrollment is free for retailers. Artists pay a service fee and are eligible for many marketing opportunities including Wholesalecrafts.com’s quarterly printed Buyer’s Guide catalog, co-op advertising in top trade publications, and two annual trade shows. Commissions are not charged on sales. For more information, visit www.Wholesalecrafts.com, or call 1.888.4.CRAFT.1 (1.888.427.2381).

About American Craft Retailers Expo (ACRE)
Wholesalecrafts.com is the producer of the American Craft Retailers Expo (ACRE) shows, held annually in Orlando, FL and Las Vegas, NV. Upcoming show dates include ACRE Orlando, January 19 – 21, 2013 and ACRE Las Vegas, April 30 – May 2, 2013. For more information, visitwww.ACREOrlando.com and www.ACRELasVegas.com, or call 1.888.4.CRAFT.1 (1.888.427.2381).

About CRAFT
The CRAFT organization is about education and promotion of American made craft art. Members include galleries, shops, and artists from all over, dedicated to presenting work with one common characteristic â?” handmade in the U.S.A. CRAFT’s mission includes supporting and encouraging the creativity and artistic excellence of American craftspeople, promoting high ethical standards and business practices within the craft community, and fostering the appreciation and understanding of American craft by the general public. For more information, visitwww.CRAFTonline.org.