The Gathering Events
The Gathering Events operates The Gathering, an annual invitation-only hosted buyer event in Orlando, FL that pre-schedules appointments between approximately 250 vetted U.S. gift and souvenir retailers and around 74 curated suppliers, monetizing primarily through exhibitor booth packages.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1995
- HeadquartersOrlando, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What The Gathering Events does
The Gathering Events operates The Gathering, an invitation-only, appointment-based hosted buyer event serving the U.S. gift and souvenir retail industry. Founded in 1995 and operated for over 30 years, the annual event is held at the Rosen Shingle Creek resort in Orlando, FL (2026 dates: September 14-17) and brings together approximately 250 vetted East Coast-focused buyers with 74 curated suppliers across categories including Apparel, Gifts, Souvenir, Plush, Gourmet, and Made in the USA. Buyers must have $1M+ in annual sales and an open-to-buy budget, and receive complimentary hotel accommodations, meals, and concierge services; in exchange they participate in a pre-scheduled appointment program managed through the ASP Events platform.
The business monetizes almost entirely through exhibitor booth packages: a 10x20 booth at $18,800 and a 10x30 booth at $25,500, each inclusive of furnishings, multiple hotel room nights, and full meal packages for booth staff. The Gathering is organized as a business unit within Clarion Events' Gift & Souvenir Group, with the parent company providing shared infrastructure, marketing, and back-office support; key leadership includes a VP and Group Show Director drawn from the parent organization. The dedicated team of six operates a single annual event with no public funding, no M&A history, and no disclosed AI/technology capabilities beyond the standard event registration and appointment portal.
The Gathering Events firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Gathering Events
- Legal name
- The Gathering Events
- Website
- https://thegatheringevent.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1995
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- The Gathering Events operates The Gathering, an annual invitation-only hosted buyer event in Orlando, FL that pre-schedules appointments between approximately 250 vetted U.S. gift and souvenir retailers and around 74 curated suppliers, monetizing primarily through exhibitor booth packages.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Gathering Events industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Trade Show & Hosted Buyer Events
- NAICS
- Convention and Trade Show Organizers (56192), Convention and Trade Show Organizers (561920)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Retail, Consumer Goods & Lifestyle Shows Organizers (THAHABAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- General & Multi-Industry Trade Show Organizers (THAHABAA)
Keywords
Where The Gathering Events is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Orlando
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
The Gathering Events business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Exhibitor Booth Packages: Revenue generated from exhibitor booth space rental packages. Two tiers are offered: 10x20 booth at $18,800 and 10x30 booth at $25,500, which include carpet, tables, chairs, hotel rooms, and meal packages.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | 10x20 Booth Package - $18,800 |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | 10x30 Booth Package - $25,500 |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels3 records
The Gathering Events product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Gathering is an invitation-only, appointment-based hosted buyer event held annually at the Rosen Shingle Creek resort in Orlando, FL. It connects vetted gift and souvenir retailers with curated industry-leading suppliers through four days of pre-scheduled appointments, show floor exhibitions, and networking functions. Exhibitors purchase tiered booth packages while hosted buyers attend free of charge, receiving complimentary hotel, meals, and concierge services in exchange for participating in scheduled supplier meetings.
Product overview
The Gathering Events operates as a single core product offering — The Gathering, an invitation-only hosted buyer event for the gift and souvenir retail industry. The event connects qualified retail buyers with curated suppliers through a personalized, appointment-based experience. Attendees receive complimentary accommodations and meals, while exhibitors gain access to vetted buyers. The event features show floor exhibitions, networking functions, and a meeting portal for appointment scheduling.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- The Gathering Hosted Buyer Event An exclusive, invitation-only, appointment-based hosted buying event for gift and souvenir retail professionals. Held over four days at Rosen Shingle Creek in Orlando, FL, it features pre-scheduled appointments between vetted retail buyers and curated suppliers across Apparel, Gifts, Souvenir, Plush, Gourmet, Made in the USA, and related categories, along with networking functions and educational programming.
- Exhibitor Booth Packages Tiered booth rental packages for suppliers applying to exhibit at The Gathering. Includes a 10x20 booth at $18,800 (carpet, 2 draped tables, 4 chairs, ID sign; 2 hotel rooms for 5 nights at Rosen Shingle Creek; 2 full meal packages) and a 10x30 booth at $25,500 (carpet, 3 draped tables, 6 chairs, ID sign; 3 hotel rooms for 5 nights; 3 full meal packages), sold under multi-year contracts.
Quantifiable outcome
- 2,200 meetings facilitated last year
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use The Gathering Events
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles2 records
The Gathering Events technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
The Gathering Events partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators5 records
Recent moves4 records
Expansion highlights4 records
The Gathering Events competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Dallas Market Center (Dallas Total Gift & Home Show): Large gift and home trade show in Dallas serving retailers across categories similar to The Gathering's product mix (gifts, apparel, souvenirs, gourmet). Comparable wholesale buyer-seller matching function, though with a broader scale and traditional booth model.
- Atlanta Market (AmericasMart): Major gift and home wholesale marketplace in Atlanta serving the same buyer and supplier base as The Gathering. Comparable buyer demographics (gift retailers, souvenir buyers) and product categories including apparel, gifts, and gourmet.
- ASD Market Week: Twice-yearly gift and home trade show in Las Vegas targeting small to mid-sized retailers, including souvenir and gift buyers. Directly comparable customer base and product mix to The Gathering, though using a traditional open-floor show format.
- Las Vegas Market (International Market Centers): Major gift, home, and souvenir trade show held in Las Vegas, directly competing for the same buyer segment as The Gathering. Comparable product categories including gifts, souvenirs, plush, and gourmet. Operates on a larger, traditional trade show model.
- International Gift Exposition (IGEA/Urban Expositions): Regional gift and souvenir trade show serving the east coast and southeast US, directly competing with The Gathering for the same hosted buyer and exhibitor relationships. Comparable product categories and target customer base.
- NY NOW (owned by Emerald/RX): Major gift and lifestyle trade show held semi-annually in New York, serving the same gift/souvenir retail buyer segment as The Gathering. Comparable audience of boutique and specialty gift retailers, though it operates as a traditional large-scale show rather than a curated hosted buyer event.
Broad incumbents
- Emerald (Emerald X): Major trade show organizer with significant gift and consumer products portfolio. Broader scope than The Gathering across multiple verticals, but with overlapping buyer and supplier audiences in the gift/souvenir space.
- Informa Markets (Gift & Souvenir Portfolio): Largest global trade show organizer with extensive gift, home, and lifestyle event portfolio including NY NOW. Operates at much greater scale than The Gathering with global reach, representing a major incumbent in the same space.
Emerging players
- Faire Wholesale Marketplace: Digital wholesale marketplace connecting independent retailers with gift, souvenir, and lifestyle brands. Represents an emerging threat/alternative to traditional hosted buyer events like The Gathering by offering year-round, online buyer-supplier matching.
Others
- Clarion Events (Gift & Souvenir Group): Parent company of The Gathering Events operating the broader Clarion Gift & Souvenir Group with multiple industry events. Relevant as the operating parent that shares resources, audience, and cross-promotion with The Gathering.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
The Gathering Events social profiles
Digital presenceThe Gathering Events financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Gathering Events leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
The Gathering Events funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Gathering Events M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The Gathering Events
What does The Gathering Events do?
The Gathering is an invitation-only, appointment-based hosted buyer event held annually at the Rosen Shingle Creek resort in Orlando, FL. It connects vetted gift and souvenir retailers with curated industry-leading suppliers through four days of pre-scheduled appointments, show floor exhibitions, and networking functions. Exhibitors purchase tiered booth packages while hosted buyers attend free of charge, receiving complimentary hotel, meals, and concierge services in exchange for participating in scheduled supplier meetings.
Is The Gathering Events a public or private company?
The Gathering Events is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was The Gathering Events founded?
The Gathering Events was founded in 1995. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is The Gathering Events based?
The Gathering Events is headquartered in Orlando, United States, in the North America region.
How does The Gathering Events make money?
One revenue line is on record: exhibitor Booth Packages.
Who are The Gathering Events's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Dallas Market Center (Dallas Total Gift & Home Show), Atlanta Market (AmericasMart), ASD Market Week, Las Vegas Market (International Market Centers), International Gift Exposition (IGEA/Urban Expositions) and NY NOW (owned by Emerald/RX). Broad incumbents are Emerald (Emerald X) and Informa Markets (Gift & Souvenir Portfolio). Faire Wholesale Marketplace is listed as an emerging player. Clarion Events (Gift & Souvenir Group) is listed as an others.
Does The Gathering Events have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Gathering Events.
What industry is The Gathering Events in?
The Gathering Events's product category is Trade Show & Hosted Buyer Events. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAHABAJ, Retail, Consumer Goods & Lifestyle Shows Organizers, with a secondary code of THAHABAA, General & Multi-Industry Trade Show Organizers. Its NAICS code is 56192.