It’s been a busy and productive couple of weeks at The Personal Gift Basket Co. We are working on several fun and exciting things in the background that I can’t wait to share with you in the coming months. So stay tuned! I can share something exciting: recently, we attended the Atlanta Market, and I’m super excited about all the beautiful new gifts and food items we found there. We spent five jam-packed days meeting the vendors we’ve done business with for years. We also connected with new companies with unique products that fit our gifting brand. After the five days of shopping, my body felt like I had been in a boxing ring, but it was so worth it. Now that we are back, it’s time to create beautiful gift designs with our new inventory. So stay tuned!

In case you are unaware, the Atlanta Market is a wholesale shopping mecca in beautiful downtown Atlanta. The market draws buyers, like myself and others from all over the world, and is one of the largest wholesale trade markets in the US. The Atlanta Market is a hub for retailers and designers looking for the latest trends and products. The market spans three buildings, each building having over 15 floors of wholesale exhibitors.

The first day of the market is always the best. Everyone is excited to shop; the vendors are waiting and eager to make your shopping experience great. Many vendors have music, food, and beverages to enjoy while shopping. Music and lots of energy fill the atmosphere, creating lots of excitement and anticipation. We are excited to see, taste and smell what’s new this season. Everyone from small boutique owners to major retail chains is searching for unique, high-quality products to captivate their customers.

Because of all the walking, and the sheer size of the market, it can be overwhelming for some. This year, I noticed many more areas to sit and relax in-between shopping, which was a plus for me, and I took full advantage of it. There isn’t a comfortable shoe that has been made for the amount of walking and standing we do at the market. When I get back to your hotel room, I am pooped!

Aside from the products, cooking, decor design, and other classes are available to learn from some of the best in the field.

One of my favorite things I love is meeting new people from all over the world. I am constantly networking and building relationships with vendors and retailers throughout my time at the market. Building these relationships with the companies we do business with is a plus. Another fun thing is connecting with other buyers while on the shuttle back to the hotel or running into someone we met at the market while going out to dinner or site-seeing in Atlanta. We chat about what we bought that day or share tips or stores we may have missed. These memorable interactions sometimes result in collaboration and foster community among other professionals which is priceless.

I am looking forward to coming back in January.