Eco Enterprises Quebec

Collectibles, A Big Hit At Fall 2011 Toronto Gift Show

While Christmas may still be a comfortable five months away for most of us, toy and gift retailers are already revving up to get the most out of the annual profit-making season. Thousands flocked to the recent Fall 2011 Toronto Gift Show, on the hunt for the perfect stocking stuffer or to discover product with hit potential for holiday gift-giving consumers. Christmas inventory shopping is certainly the number-one reason so many retailers visit the event, agreed a Show PR rep. The annual Gift Show, organized by the Canadian Gift & Tableware Association, ran from August 7 to 10 at the Toronto International Centre and the nearby Toronto Congress Centre.

Although the vast majority of the Show’s 850 exhibitors were definitely gift vendors, displaying everything from rhinestone watches and silk pillows to kitchenware and 3D wall art, there were also more than 40 suppliers with product targeting the needs of toy retailers. And, of that number, most offered at least one line with a collectibility component. Collectibles — series or lines that encourage consumers to make multi purchases — is definitely this year’s strongest trend.

For example, Toronto’s Standen House, the exclusive Canadian distributor for the delightful Nooks, introduced the line of over 100 collectible characters targeting boys and girls, four to 12 years old. Val Ramsden, a sales executive with Ty Canada, says her company is also pursuing the collectibility factor, this year, with several lines, including their retro sock monkey. “Kids will want more than one,” says Ramsden.

At the booth of BC-based C.K. International Enterprises Ltd., Gary Chang and Carol Ko introduced the extensive Twinkie infant footwear line. You can bet new moms will be buying more than just one pair of these adorable shoes. Ditto for the Monkey Toes line at the Edenborough Ltd. booth. This line of oh-so-cute footwear, targeting prewalkers to kindergarten age, comes in a sturdy storage box that’s pretty enough to display in a room. The Elmira, Ontario-based distributor also introduced another highly collectible line — the Snuggle Collection of dufflebags, knapsacks and pillows.

Global Cleantech Cluster Awards

Nominated for the 2011 GCCA Later Stage Award by 30 cleantech clusters from around the world. Nominations in 10 categories ranging from renewable energy and energy efficiency, to waste, water and green building were announced at the GCCA/EcoTech Quebec Cleantech for EcoCities Conference at EcoCity Montreal. Winners will be announced in Dublin on November 14th, hosted by the cleantech cluster An tSli Ghlas - The Green Way. Winning companies will receive international investment exposure and business support throughout 2012.

“We are thrilled to have such a strong list of nominated companies for the 2011 Later Stage Awards,” said Ben Taube, Chair of the GCCA. “Truly ground-breaking and innovative technologies are developed everyday across the world. We are pleased to highlight the very best and recognize them with partnership exposure among other benefits.”

Over next three months, the nominations will be judged on a variety of factors, from technology innovation and business strategy to their ability to execute. In addition to the 10 categories listed below, the three Most Impactful Technology awards will be given to companies that are improving the quality of life for people around the world, particularly in developing countries.

“With the Later Stage Awards we are moving the global cleantech needle forward,” said Shawn Lesser of Watershed Capital and co-founder of the GCCA. “Because of this type of global awareness cleantech companies make it from localized markets into mainstream adoption.”

Of the 29 judges hand-selected for the Later Stage Award many are leading venture capital investors and entrepreneurs, including; Generationʼs Climate Solutions Fund (Al Goreʼs investment Firm), The Rockefeller Foundation, Dow Venture Capital, BASF Venture Capital and more.

“The list of judges is like a whoʼs who of cleantech investment. Itʼs a rare opportunity for these companies to introduce their technologies to nearly 30 investors all at once," said Cal Hackeman, global leader for cleantech at Grant Thornton International, the top sponsor of the Later Stage Awards.  "The GCCA's Later Stage Award is a unique opportunity in the cleantech sector to showcase meaningful innovation and we are very proud to be a part of it.

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