Amy Sedaris and Peter Shankman to be Special Guests at the Buyers Market

BALTIMORE, Dec. 10, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Nationally recognized public relations entrepreneur and consultant Peter Shankman will share his insights for artists and retailers this February at the Buyers Market of American Craft in Philadelphia.  A book signing with the comedian and actress Amy Sedaris is also among the special events at the tradeshow, scheduled Feb. 18-21, 2011 (with a Jewelry Preview February 17) in Philadelphia.

The appearances by Shankman and Sedaris are among 15 special events and seminars planned for this winter's Buyers Market, the nation's premier wholesale-only tradeshow of U.S. and Canadian fine craft and handmade luxury goods. Admission is included with show registration: Advance registration is $20 and covers up to four credentialed buyers; registration at the door will be $50.

Shankman is the founder of Help a Reporter Out, a media "matchmaking" service where journalists seeking an expert to quote post their needs, and businesses reply.  He has also written books on innovative ways to get promotion.

With generous applications of white glue and satire, Sedaris extols the joys of crafting in her latest book, Simple Times: Crafts for Poor People. A unique take on how-to crafting books, it features illustrated instructions for using common materials to make a gift or "achieve a lovely something that nobody needs."

Originally from North Carolina, Sedaris has studied and performed with Chicago's Second City comedy school and theater. She has appeared in TV series including "Just Shoot Me," "Sex & the City," "Monk" and "Cracking Up" and in films including "Maid in Manhattan," "School of Rock" and "Elf."  Her book Simple Times, from Grand Central Publishing, is the follow up to her 2006 New York Times bestseller about the joys of entertaining, I Like You: Hospitality Under the Influence.

Daily seminars on retailing are scheduled at the Buyers Market, including a presentation on visual merchandising by Patricia Norins, publisher of Gift Shop magazine and Green Retailer. Norins will present a slide show of easy-to-replicate window display ideas.  Wendy Rosen, president of The Rosen Group, which produces the Buyers Market, will lead a panel discussion on innovative promoting, featuring retailers who will share the secrets of their success. Amy Larrimore, a retail and technology consultant, will share strategies for making a retailer's ordinary website more user-friendly and profitable.

In addition to these seminars, the Buyers Market will present two full days of "Retailer Savvy" mini-sessions. These free, drop-in roundtable discussions emphasize how-to topics including how to hold a trunk show, featuring Cindy Edelstein of the Jeweler's Resource Bureau;  how to please young collectors, with art bloggers Megan Auman of Crafting an MBA and Tara Gentile of Scoutie Girl;  and making the most of an advertising investment, with Jennifer Grassia of AmericanStyle magazine.

"We want retailers to see that we're doing all we can for them during tough times, and there's no better value than strong professional development programs that help them stimulate sales," says Christine Kloostra, Buyers Market show director.

To register or learn more about the Buyers Market, visit www.BuyersMarketofAmericanCraft.com or call 800.432.7238, ext. 272.

NOTE:  The Buyers Market of American Craft, held twice a year, provides a professional tradeshow setting where studio artists who make fine craft and handmade luxury goods sell their creations to art retailers, jewelry stores, museum stores, catalogs and other credentialed buyers. The Buyers Market of American Craft, open wholesale to the trade only, is produced by The Rosen Group.  Upcoming shows:  February 18-21, 2011, in Philadelphia and July 11-13, 2011, in Baltimore.

SOURCE Buyers Market of American Craft