Maui Companies Featured at the 94th Tokyo International Gift Show: Maui Now

September 28, 2022, 10:56 a.m. HST

The Japanese love their pets and many inquiries have been made to HumBOWbarks, who attended TIGS for the first time. PC: Maki Nakamura

The Maui Food Technology Center facilitated five Maui suppliers to attend the 94th Tokyo International Gift Show held in Tokyo September 7-9.

The Tokyo International Gift Show is the largest lifestyle and B2B gift trade show in Japan. Held at the Tokyo Big Sight Exhibition Hall in Tokyo, this year’s event attracted approximately 133,000 buyers, wholesalers and distributors.

The Department of Business and Economic Development and Tourism sponsored the Hawaiʻi Pavilion at the show. Made-in-Hawaiʻi products were on display in 22 booths, along with a large display of Hawaiian-made foods. Select food items as well as Hawaiian plates were available for sale.

Former TIGS participant Maui Upcountry Jams & Jellies has attracted interest from new ventures. PC: Maki Nakamura

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MFTC featured the following Maui businesses in their booths:

HumBOWbarks – pet bows, bandanas and lei
Kawai Ali’i Designs – personalized jewelry made with gemstones, shells and crystals
Maui Upcountry Jams & Jellies – tropical jams and mustards
Maui Wine – tropical wines
Kimono layout – pouches, shopping bags and accessories in kimono and obi

MFTC booths at TIGS included HumBOWbarks, Kawai Ali’i Designs, Maui Upcountry Jams & Jellies, Maui Wine and Mise Kimono. PC: Maki Nakamura

None of these companies attended the show in person due to COVID-19 travel restrictions; however, companies greatly appreciated being able to participate in the show at a reasonable cost thanks to the support received from the Maui County Office of Economic Development.

Nina Tanabe, MFTC Board Member, MS, CFS, who helped coordinate Maui’s booths on site, said, “There are a number of benefits to participating in TIGS. These include the opportunity to meet many diverse buyers, importers and distributors; you can test and/or launch new products; network and build relationships; and promote your brand. Hawaiian businesses can also participate at an affordable cost, as the State of Hawaii subsidizes pavilions. »

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According to DBEDT, this year’s attendance was one of the smallest presentations at TIGS by Hawaiian companies (previously 200,000 before the pandemic), but they are confident that once COVID-19 travel restrictions are lifted, Hawaiian businesses will return.