Straight Talk from New England Made Show Peers: What I Wish Someone Had Told Me

Panel discussion with seasoned NEM exhibitors moderated by Stefa Normantas, New England Made

You don’t know what you don’t know! Register now to learn from your peers with their hard-earned wisdom. They’ll discuss what they wish they knew as they developed their wholesale business. Save yourself time and money as you learn what marketing, sales and operational challenges they’ve overcome and how they’ve done it.

Panelist Include:

Kate McCrea, McCrea’s Candies

• Kate McCrea is co-founder, and Chief Caramel Visionary, of McCrea's Candies. McCrea's specializes in making individually wrapped caramels. Using real-food ingredients, they create both traditional and unexpected flavors from Classic Vanilla to Rosemary Truffle Sea Salt. Packaged as a gift, and aiming to please shoppers who are looking for a thoughtfully made sweet, the company has grown by embracing the gifting industry rather than courting the food industry. Wholesale gift shows have been pivotal in that strategy, starting with participation in the New England Made Show and growing to a presence in some of the best showrooms in the country.

Alan Claude

• Graphic artist Alan Claude has been self-publishing and marketing his art ever since he got married and inspired at Marshall Point Lighthouse in 2004. His calendar series are among one of the most popular gifts for visitors and locals alike. Alan's Poster Style art of lighthouses, coastal and lake scenes of Maine and other New England states are boldly displayed at the Kittery Visitor Center, Portland Jetport, Portland's Ocean Gateway and the artist's studio and gallery in historic Gardiner, Maine. NEM has been the successful source of leads for Alan Claude's wholesale business which include Sherman's bookstores, LLBean and Stonewall Kitchen and other fine stores throughout New England.

Barb Rainville, Maple Landmark

• As marketing manager and trade show coordinator, I am responsible for the "face" of Maple Landmark. I am always on the lookout for "free opportunities" locally, in the media, and trade publications. Founded in 1979, by Mike Rainville (my brother), Maple Landmark is the largest solely domestic producer of wooden toys and games in the US. Besides toys and games, we produce home decor, kitchen wares, beer tap handles and plenty of custom items. Maple Landmark has been showing at New England Made since the mid 90's (back when it was on the ice!) We have seen our business at NEM grow to be one of our best trade shows with the highest ROI.

Funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. SBA. Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. Contact kelsey.riordan@maine.edu