New look Gathering 'really refreshing'

Retail and supplier representatives have given a thumbs-up to the new look winter trade show that opened the Christian products industry year, Jan. 7-9.

Launched with an industry-wide prayer rally, The Gathering 2009 drew more than 200 church and other Christian retail store representatives to The Ramada Orlando Celebration Resort & Convention Center in Kisssimee, Fla. The event sponsored by Christian Retailing magazine featured more than 20 workshops and almost 90 exhibitors.

While overall attendance was down some from last year's event, a special daylong training program for prospective stores that preceded The Gathering program drew nearly 50 participants.

Christian Retailing Publisher Dave Condiff said that he was pleased with early feedback to The Gathering—formerly focused on church bookstores but this year expanded to include independent stores.

"We've heard some great reports from people who told us that they feel that the event has set them up for success for the coming year—both spiritually and practically," he said. "Given the economic climate, we're very happy not only with the attendance but the positive spirit so many people have commented on."

First-time attendee Eric Scott, manager of Gaither Family Resources in Alexandria, Ind.—who received Christian Retailing's first Independent Store of the Year award at the event—said The Gathering was "really refreshing."

First-time exhibitor Courrege Design, which gave away 100 examples of its scripture art featuring a handmade cross, opened around 50 new accounts, according to co-owner Beverly Courrege. "It's been wonderful for us," she said. "It's a really intimate atmosphere."

The Gathering was "a really good show" for New Day Christian Distributors, whose display included the new "Things Not Seen" T-shirt line, said Joanna Price, director of marketing and promotions. "We opened up a lot of new accounts from the prospective stores that were coming in and wrote a lot of good orders."

At STL Distribution North America, Vice President of Christian Market Sales Terry Draughon said: "This is perhaps the most excited group we have seen at a Christian trade show in the last couple of years."

Anette Campbell, co-owner of independent Notes of Love Christian bookstore in Ormond Beach, Fla., appreciated the spiritual emphasis of the program. "I have never been in a Christian conference feeling such a presence of the Holy Spirit as this one, and I have attended a few," she said.

Hans DeMildt, manager of Right Way Christian Bookstore in Orange City, Fla., said The Gathering was the only industry event that he would attend this year. "The economy is part of it, but this is what a show is about," said DeMildt, whose store is a member of the Munce Group. "The combination of having church bookstores and Christian retailers together makes sense. We're all in ministry together, trying to accommodate our customers."

At the close of the event, organizers made $50-$100 cash awards to more than 30 store representatives who completed more than 35 supplier visits and placed qualifying minimum orders, as part of the exhibition's "Amazing Race" promotion.