Las Vegas souvenir show marks 20 years with bigger buyers and strong attendance

The Las Vegas Souvenir & Resort Gift Show wrapped its 20th anniversary run Oct. 6-9 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, drawing retailers, exhibitors and industry professionals from across the U.S. and abroad. Organizers said the event saw growth in larger-volume buyers and will return to Las Vegas Oct. 6-8, 2027.

Why it matters: - The show is a key sourcing event for souvenir, resort and destination retailers. - Stronger participation from larger-volume buyers signals continued demand for tourism-focused merchandise and retail partnerships. - The event’s scale and education program give retailers a place to place orders, track trends and plan for the year ahead.

What happened: - The Las Vegas Souvenir & Resort Gift Show concluded its 20th anniversary edition Oct. 6-9 at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas. - The event brought together retailers, exhibitors and industry professionals for product discovery, networking and educational programming. - The show drew more retail stores than in prior years. - Attendance also grew among larger-volume buyers and multi-location retail organizations. - 17% of attending buyers represented businesses with annual revenues above $5 million. - Retailers in attendance included Xanterra Parks & Resorts, Starboard Cruises, Six Flags, Space Needle, MGM Resorts, Caesars Entertainment, WHSmith, Atlantis, SeaWorld, Guest Services and Crayola Experience. - Retail buyers came from the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and additional international markets.

The details: - More than 1,300 booths featured established brands and first-time exhibitors. - Exhibitors showed apparel, drinkware, destination merchandise, jewelry, home décor, toys, novelties, custom products and made-in-America gifts. - Attendees represented beach resorts, mountain communities, casinos, theme parks, museums, zoos, aquariums and other tourism-driven destinations. - The educational program covered retail trends, leadership development, merchandising strategies, sustainability initiatives and data-driven business planning. - April Holinek, show director, said the event’s engagement reinforces the show as a destination for retailers to make connections, stay ahead of trends and strengthen their businesses. - Award winners included The Teddy Bear Factory for Best Booth. - The Teddy Bear Factory is known for plush products and its Plush for the Planet collection made with recycled fabrics. - Emerald Stream Décor & Accessories won Best New Product. - Emerald Stream turns real flowers into handcrafted resin décor and accessories inspired by gardens and forests of the Sierras. - Lisa Berry, group vice president of Clarion's Gift & Souvenir Group, said the show has brought the industry together since its launch and created opportunities for businesses to succeed.

Between the lines: - The buyer mix suggests the event is not just a broad industry gathering, but a venue with meaningful purchasing power. - The mix of education, networking and sourcing reflects how trade shows are trying to deliver more than booth traffic. - Anniversary programming and awards helped frame the show as both a business event and an industry milestone.

What's next: - The next Las Vegas Souvenir & Resort Gift Show will return to the Las Vegas Convention Center Oct. 6-8, 2027. - More information on exhibiting, sponsorship and attendance is available at the show’s website. - Organizers will use the 2027 edition to build on the momentum from the 20th anniversary event.

The bottom line: - The show remains a central marketplace for souvenir and resort retail, with strong turnout from buyers who have real spending power.