Ocean City Resort Gift Expo 2026
Event Date
November 15–17, 2026
Location
Ocean City, MD
About This Show
AI-drafted summaryThe Ocean City Resort Gift Expo is a B2B trade event for the coastal gift, souvenir, and resort merchandise industry, held at the Roland E. Powell Convention Center in Ocean City, Maryland. Billed as "the northeast's leading souvenir and resort trade event," it draws retailers from Maine to Virginia Beach who come to source products for their upcoming season.
The show is open to the trade only and welcomes coastal and inland buyers from across the Mid-Atlantic and New England regions. Attendees can shop hundreds of product lines spanning resort goods, gifts, souvenirs, novelties, nautical and coastal items, licensed products, beachwear, and general gift, with brands and new discoveries at all price points.
Beyond the sourcing opportunity, the show pairs an off-season November date pattern with tangible perks — free parking, discounted hotel rates, and on-site buyer amenities — making it an efficient, single-stop buying trip. With more than 250 lines and 210+ product categories under one roof, it is a practical destination for beach store, gift shop, and resort retailers preparing for their busy season.
Show Highlights
- 250+ lines and 210+ product categories across resort, gift, souvenir, novelty, nautical/coastal, licensed, beachwear, and general gift segments.
- Buyer-focused special events including a daily popcorn social, daily prize drawing, and gift baskets.
- On-site amenities such as concessions and printed show directories provided to registered buyers.
- Travel savings for attendees: free parking, discounted hotel rates, and off-season November pricing.
- Regional draw of coastal and inland retailers from Maine to Virginia Beach.
Booth Pricing
The official website does not publish specific booth prices online. Exhibitors can download the show prospectus, which includes pricing, from the "Interested in Exhibiting" page, or contact the sales team directly. Each standard booth package includes 8' side and back drapes, one undraped table, chairs, one wastebasket, and one 500-watt electrical outlet, with exhibits set in carpeted ballroom space.
Registration
Registration is free for qualified buyers, as the show is open to the trade only. Prospective attendees can join the show newsletter to be notified when registration opens and are encouraged to pre-register early to receive updates and reduce on-site wait time.
Key points:
- Badges are not mailed; pre-registrants receive an email confirmation with a barcode to scan at on-site readers for badge printing.
- New/first-time attendees must present 1 form of personal ID and 2 forms of business ID (e.g., business license, sales tax ID, company check, business card, or letterhead) to gain admission.
- Children under 14 and strollers are strongly discouraged to maintain the professional environment.
History
The Ocean City Resort Gift Expo is produced by Clarion Events as part of its Gift & Souvenir portfolio. Show materials note more than 20 years in business, establishing it as a long-running regional buying event for the coastal and resort retail trade. The 2026 edition marks its continued run at the Roland E. Powell Convention Center in Ocean City, Maryland.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is the Ocean City Resort Gift Expo 2026 held?
The show runs Sunday, November 15 through Tuesday, November 17, 2026, at the Roland E. Powell Convention Center, 4001 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, MD 21842. Hours are 9am-5pm on Sunday and Monday, and 9am-2pm on Tuesday.
Who should attend, and what products are shown?
The event is open to the trade only and serves coastal and inland retailers from Maine to Virginia Beach. Buyers will find hundreds of lines across resort goods, gifts, souvenirs, novelties, nautical and coastal items, licensed products, beachwear, and general gift.
How do I register and how much does it cost?
Registration is free for qualified buyers, as the show is open to the trade only. You can join the newsletter to be notified when registration opens; first-time attendees must present one form of personal ID and two forms of business ID on site.
Is there parking, and where should I stay?
Yes, there is free parking at the Roland E. Powell Convention Center. Discounted hotel rates are available through the show's official housing partner, Connections Housing, and Ocean City offers off-season rates during the November show.
What is the nearest airport?
The nearest airport is Salisbury/Ocean City Regional Airport, about 35 minutes away. Baltimore/Washington International (BWI) is roughly 125 miles from Ocean City for those needing a major airport.
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