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2008 Best Overall Buyer-Only Show
2007 Best Overall Buyer-Only Show
Where: Holiday Inn Paloverde, 4550 S. Paloverde Rd., including the main lobby and adjoining conference and convention rooms, the capacious tent behind the hotel, and to the left of all of that (south), there are other exhibitors in suites around the pool area.
Exhibitors: Over 500 exhibitors under 150,000 square feet!
2010 update: The day Arizona Bead Dog dropped by, the show seemed to have a steady stream of buyers.
2009 update: Like all other shows, Holidome is not immune from the economic downturn. Hardly any buyers were there on the 11th. Despite the lack of buyers, all the vendors were there, some offering very good deals.
What: Seems like the largest gem and mineral show in town. Many shows are overwhelming to some degree, even if you’ve been going many years, but this show seems especially so. Overwhelming is not a bad characteristic; it just means you may want to plan to spend at least 4 hours, if not a full 8 hours, looking at all the exhibitors and items. This show probably has the best overall blend of loose gems, beads of all kinds, finished jewelry, sculpture, crystal, chains, findings (lots of choices for both sterling silver, 14K, 18K, and some 22K, which are not always easily available at other shows), Hill Tribe silver (for example, Silver in Style), gifts, and other items under one (mostly) roof. Perhaps the one item it may not carry (and Arizona Bead Dog could be wrong about this), is African Trade Beads (2009 update: there was 1 African trade-bead vendor there this year.) The mix in the main lobby was different than in years past; for example, a findings-exhibitor dominated the area, and that location provided much needed viewing space. Don't forget the exhibitors in hotel rooms around the pool/courtyard; Arizona Bead Dog saw two opal dealers and several American-mined turquoise dealers. You can also find a few crystals, velvet bags, and display items. A must-see show for most.
Inside or Out: Inside.
Tips: Definitely come with a shopping list; otherwise, you risk becoming overwhelmed to the point where you may not buy much at all! (It doesn’t take very long to get over that feeling.)
Parking: Tough. You’ll most likely need to park at the Gem Mall down the street and get one of the continuous shuttles to the Holidome.
September parking: It's a lot easier in September, and a spot is usually available if you get there early, around 9:45 a.m.
Food: BBQ, Chinese outside of the main tent; a hotel restaurant; a deli-like option in the lobby's center waterfall area; and there's usually a deli-light-food cart person winding his way through the main tent with water, sandwiches, and cookies.
Finally the show's organizer or someone placed about a dozen plastic chairs along the hotel's north side (near the food vendors) so that people can eat and rest their feet without having to inhale exhaust fumes because in years past the only sitting place is on the curb. Thank you! Hoping 2009 will have a few more.
Rest rooms: Inside the hotel and portables outside.
2011 show dates: Only a 9-day show, beginning Thursday, February 3rd and running through Friday, February 11th.
Show hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., except the last day, which closes early at 3 p.m.
Shuttle routes: To be determined.
For additional information: www.glwshows.com or www.glwshows.net.
2000 September show update: Like the Grant Inn, this year's September show was the slowest Arizona Bead Dog recalls in the last 10 years. Like last year, the main hall had fewer vendors, although you'll see many of your favorites; the mix in the main waterfall room always changes on the periphery. Don't forget to check out the pool side vendors. Bead selection, like the Grant Inn show, seemed reduced, although obviously good finds are available.
2008 September show review:
What: From years past, Arizona Bead Dog knows that this is a much smaller version of the February show, to the point that to compare the two is like comparing apples and oranges. For example, the show is only contained in the hotel, and around the pool, and there's no tent in September. Nonetheless, based on the last five years, Arizona Bead Dog can say that this show offers a variety of findings and beads much needed before the Christmas and holiday season. Even for those visiting specially to see this show, it's worthwhile not only because of the selection, but also because the size, while smaller, permits a buyer to actually look at every table. Arizona Bead Dog's favorite September show from years past, however, is Grant Inn (formerly Quality Inn, Rodeway). Expect higher prices per gram for sterling, and higher bead strand prices overall than in February. Like the Grant Inn show: (1) this show had some vendors missing that Arizona Bead Dog had seen in years past; (2) the vendors that were there seemed to have slightly less volume; and (3) If you're looking for $2 strands, there seemed to be plenty to choose from. Since this show is much smaller than the February show--don't forget to check out the pool side vendors--you may find some good surprises! Plus, there's a food concession called Cabana Grill out there, too.
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