Mississippi Market

Buyer FAQs

2013 Seminar Schedule

Seminars designed specifically for retailers are held on both days of the show.  No cost to attend, no reservations are required. Seating is available on a first come, first serve basis. Seminars are held in the “Seminar Room” located in the front of the Trade Mart.

Seminars are held on the hour from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm throughout the day.  Check the Daily Events Sheet when you check in at Registration for each day’s schedule.

Retail Events that Work All Year

As a retailer, you want to know how to drive traffic into your store.  Hear successful tips from our experts, Jan and Stacy, on ways to stir up interest in your business...anytime!  A look at events, marketing and solutions to being proactively prepared all year.     

RESOURCES FOR SMALL BUSINESSES

Small Business Health Benefits

Established in 1996 to give the “small business” a “big business” discount on quality health plans, ChamberPlus is a dream come true for over 2,000 participating companies and the 22,500 employees and dependents covered under the program.  ChamberPlus, a subsidiary of the Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership, provides affordable health benefits including life and dental to small businesses with 1 to 50 employees through a partnership with BlueCross and BlueShield of Mississippi.  Also, ChamberPlus now offers discounts on long term and short term disability insurance through Assurant Employee Benefits. Be sure to attend this seminar session for more information on how your business can participate.          

Patents, Trademarks & Copyrights  

Hosted by the Mississippi Library Commission, the state's Patent Librarian will address the differences among patents, trademarks and copyrights. Types of forms needed and fees will also be addressed.

US Postal Service – Benefits for Small Businesses

David Hawkins with the US Postal Service will share two topics:

“New Ideas for Small Business”

Leverage Direct Mail Marketing successfully.  Direct Mail can help every business.  The US Postal Service has new ways to accomplish this!  Come and hear an overview of The Direct Mail Hub and Every Door Direct Mail.

“Shipping Solutions for your Business”

The world of shipping can be daunting.  The US Postal Service has solutions for every size business and every type of shipping need.  Come hear an overview of Click n Ship and PC Postage Shipping options.  

Social Media Success Stories

Learn secrets to social medial success, tools to showcase your business and events in new ways, tricks to track your success online, all while optimizing your store image. Jennifer Gregory, with Starkville Main Street, will show you how their Main Street organization implemented all of these elements into a total brand transformation. Learn ways that you can emulate their same success with this amazing fast track overview on how to learn savvy tips and tools for maximizing the benefits of Facebook, Twitter, Blogs and QR codes for your business.

Let’s Take Customer Service to the Next Level!

Tom McIntyre of A Daisy A Day and Lisa Hayman of Chapman's Florist at College Crossing, representing the Mississippi Florist Association, will share great tips on how to better serve your customers.  What will set you apart from the competition, and telephone skills.  Watch their creativeness using floral, color and inexpensive props to learn how to gift wrap and package gift and floral products.  If you own or manage a business, it’s all about Customer Service!

GoMississippi – Mississippi Magazine’s Travel App

GoMississippi is the essential travel and information app from Mississippi Magazine.  Kathryn Stewart will show you how this free app for Apple and Android smartphones puts interesting shopping, dining, and lodging attractions at your fingertips. This is one session you won’t be asked to cut your phone off – so bring your cell phone!

iShopMS.org

Jane Foster with Mississippi Magazine will share how iShopMS.org will recession proof your retail sales.  Designed to encourage shopping in Mississippi, the site posts new items online daily and can link directly to your store Facebook pages and website.  If you’re interested in building a strong customer/retailer relationship around Mississippi, come learn about the latest app that will get you there.

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Where is the show held?

In Jackson, Mississippi at the Mississippi Trade Mart. Parking is free.

1200 E. Mississippi Street
Jackson, MS 39202

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Who attends the Mississippi Market?

Buyers from retail stores from Mississippi and surrounding states attend the Market.  The buyers are often store owners or managers.

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Can anyone attend?

No. Only credentialed retail buyers can attend.  The show is not open to the general public.

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How are buyers screened?

Buyers must provide a tax number and two forms of buyer credentials. Acceptable credentials are any TWO of the following (in addition to a tax number):

  • Imprinted business check
  • Personalized business card
  • Cancelled payroll check
  • Executed sales tax return
  • Photograph of storefront
  • Lease agreement for commercial space
  • White or yellow page business phone listing
  • Buyer ID card from Dallas Merchandise Mart or AmericasMart in Atlanta
  • Internet businesses must provide proof of search engine with website and proof of URL
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Who exhibits in the show?

Mississippi manufacturers, artisans, wholesalers and service providers exhibit.

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What types of products are shown?

Gifts, jewelry, specialty apparel, pottery, decorative accessories, gourmet foods, garden accessories, personal accessories, art and framed art, linens, bath care products, aromatherapy products, candles, gourmet coffees and teas, childrens' accessories, specialty furniture, store supplies such as gift wrap, spiritual products, services used by retailers or exhibitors and more.

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I am a new buyer. How do I register to attend?

Click here for complete buyer registration information.

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May buyers pre-registration?

Buyers may pre-register for the 2013 Mississippi Market until June 1st.
After June 1st, buyers may register at the show on June 6th or 7th by bringing their tax number and two forms of credentials.

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Do I need to register if I have attended or registered for the Market before?

If you have registered for or attended the show in the last three years, you need to RSVP, but you do not have to re-register by sending credentials.  Click here to RSVP via email or postal mail.

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I have registered to attend. Will I receive confirmation?

Yes.  You should receive postcard confirmation within two weeks from the date you mailed your registration.

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When is the next Market?

Thursday and Friday : June 6-7, 2013 from 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. each day.
The Mississippi Market is held once a year.

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