The semiannual Gift Fair in Atlanta at the Georgia World Congress Center has been canceled, according to show officials citing current market conditions in the host city.

“We feel it is in the best interest of our customers to cancel the show,” said Doug Miller, president of Urban Expositions, co-founder and co-presenter of the show along with George Little Management.

The event was launched by George Little Management and Urban in 2002 “to expand the market offerings for buyers and sellers,” but “there is just not enough demand to support an additional product resource in Atlanta,” he added.

The Gift Fair in Atlanta held seven semiannual editions since its debut, the last occurring July 15-18. Though attendance figures were not given out, many exhibitors complained of slow traffic, resulting in low orders.

Elena Queen, owner of Christian company Nicolas Nicole, was a first-time exhibitor at the show, traveling from Texas to show her handbags and Bible covers with an inspirational flair. The new company spent nearly $3,000 to attend at the show and took its only order on the last day of the three-day event-for $79, just half of its standard minimum order.

The Gift Fair's attempt to claim market share in Atlanta has been called overly ambitious because of competition from the nearly 50-year-old AmericasMart-whose events bring more than 548,000 visitors to the city each year for 23 wholesale markets.

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