The Wisconsin Group
                Wholesale Gift Shows

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About The Wisconsin Group, Wholesale Gift Shows,

Allow us to introduce ourselves! We are the Wisconsin Group, an organization comprised of small businesses who manufacture, sell, and represent quality products "Made in Wisconsin" and beyond.

Our mission is to promote smaller wholesale business in Wisconsin and beyond and gather a group together who will have power to promote and sell their products.

Trade shows are nothing new to these business people, but when the economy started slipping it was time for a change. Founder, Galen Klisiewicz saw a new way to be effective and give small wholesale business and the gift and floral shop retail industry a chance to improve how business was being done.

“I have been in business for over 30 years and had my ups and downs. I have seen businesses want and waste and not care about the customer. I have seen far too much from China and other countries and not enough from USA. So I wanted to see a change. The cost of shows for a young or new entrepreneur was staggering. A 2-day trade show was $1,000.00 or more to do.

The second problem I saw was the manufacturers were not coming because of costs, so the buyers were also staying home. I wanted both worlds to come together and to be strong. It made sense to bring the gift show to the customer, kind of the way we used to be, door to door, and give wholesale business the chance to compete.”

The Wisconsin Group was formed in January 2009 when Lori Domzil, a Sales Representative in the wholesale business joined Galen to start establishing rules and guidelines for the trade shows. The first handpicked members joined the group and became the advisor team that would now have the task to jury in new businesses. New businesses who wanted to get involved in gift show wholesale were contacted.

Less than 30 days after its start the web page was up and running and the first two shows were scheduled. The show was on the road. Wisconsin Rapids and Green Bay were the very first shows for The Wisconsin Group.

The theme for this business group was primarily Wisconsin made and being a Wisconsin business. As of now we have branched into 4 states for vendors. We have branched from Wisconsin to beyond, offering others in different states the opportunity to join! Buyers come to this show by invitation, and as of this date there are over 2,000 buyers from 5 different states.

Shows have changed from where we started, and are now making our home in Tomah and Waukesha, WI, for 2 shows per year. We also have a June show each year in Madison, WI, in conjunction with Market Square. Retail shows have also been added to our schedule.

Tomah Wisconsin Located Mid way between Milwaukee and Minneapolis. No great distance for any shop owner, and easy driving to see this show. Stop in and enjoy the beauty of Wisconsin and only 1 hour from The Wisconsin Dells. Join all the Wisconsin , Minnesota, Illinois, and Iowa buyers, who come to this show.

Galen said, “2010 adds more of a challenge as we have room for 300 vendors when we’re full”. Our client base has grown and waiting businesses are on a growing list. With harder times and more individuals wanting to branch into their own business we are here to meet the needs and keep the economy moving. Joining forces together and really helping each other is the only way to really be strong.

The Wisconsin Group offers its members good shows with a high attendance of buyers and a much lower cost of doing business. It also offers its invited buyers high quality and USA products from smaller more interesting manufacturers.

Galen states “this is a win-win situation.”