Held semi-annually, in January and August, the CGTA is the largest gift and tableware industry events in the country and one of the few that has expanded its appeal by adding furniture retailers in its target audience and furniture manufacturers and distributors to its exhibitor base, hoping to make it a double-hit for buyers looking for small and large additions to their fall/holiday offerings.

A recent change in CGTA membership policy this past spring has meant that furniture buyers and permanent showroom members at the International Centre were welcome to open their doors and do business during the CGTA show. Though several showroom operators were happy to work during the gift show, many felt the show didn't produce the number of anticipated show attendees. As a result, not all of the showrooms were open on the first day of the CGTA trade show.

Millie Lax, president of Lamlee Canada, a distributor of a broad range of home furnishings products including furniture, lighting, area rugs and wall art, was among those who anticipated more traffic at the CGTA show, but isn't entirely surprised that attendance numbers are down. "There's no incentive for people across Canada and the U.S. to travel to Toronto for these shows," says an exasperated Lax.

The furniture veteran was disappointed with both sales and body counts at the CGTA, but says it's an indication of a downwards trend amongst retail buyers. "All shows are sliding in attendance," Lax said, adding Lamlee depends on its sales reps, internet sales and repeat business for most of its business and noting that several trade shows, including the CGTA, are not what they used to be in the past.

Within the International Centre, the focus was on general giftware, stationery and "Artisan's Way", a grouping of wholesalers providing one of a kind gift items and decorative gift accessories. Canfloyd Trading, with its extensive booth of giftware including the recently launched Steven & Chris accessories line, an expansion of the former "Designer Guys" furniture line introduced this past January by upholstery specialist Décor-Rest, added a few furniture pieces within their exhibit space. Club chairs from the Steven & Chris furniture line were paired with their line's accessories and Canfloyd also added traditionally-styled occasional chairs throughout their booth.

In The Toronto Congress Centre, three halls were split between bed, bath and linen, gourmet housewares, gourmet food and "Country Lane", a focus on modern and, traditional country trends in giftware. Hall 8 focused on Design Essentials, where many furniture companies were exhibiting, including Toronto-based Umbra. The powerhouse Canadian design company had its small furniture pieces up front, including recent additions to its U+ line,  a leaning bookshelf, nesting side tables, and a magazine/coffee table. Bucking the trend of the show, Umbra pieces are smaller in scale, focusing on the urban and condo market.

Unity Whittaker of U Life Accessory Store of Kitsilano, British Columbia attended her very first CGTA show in Toronto this year and was completely overwhelmed by the sheer number of products to consider, booths to visit and distributors to meet. Though this lifestyle retailer has participated in many trade shows across western Canada, Whittaker's initial foray found her seeking out smaller accessories with intricate detailing. Whittaker travels the globe in search of unique pieces for U Life. However, she also works hard to find local and Canadian made goods and furniture for her store. Several accessories and smaller home items at the CGTA proudly displayed their Canadian made status, but few furniture pieces displayed at the CGTA were Canadian-made, an alarming trend that has manufacturers and distributors rethinking their off-shore sourcing.

Style trends for the CGTA seemed to be all about scale - big is beautiful, bigger even more beautiful. The few furniture companies in attendance were on the trend page with furniture that was bold and dominant. No delicate and tiny side chairs, but oversized pieces that are hard to ignore, but also would be a difficult impulse decision with many buyers. One display manufacturer also supported the trend with its oversized display shelves and cases embellished to make them compete with the possible goods on display.