With that in mind, I have been following with concern the recent changes in the industry's trade show calendar. CBA's recently announced canceling of its winter Advance event has left many gift suppliers wondering how to connect with stores that need to see new product.

Although CBA's summer convention has always been the major single event of the year, for some gift suppliers the winter show has actually been more important because it was the shop window for their Christmas lines.

Munce Group's Christian Product Expo Regionals in January will be a good option for staying connected with gift vendors for some retailers.

For others the 2008 Gathering of Church Bookstores to be held March 26-28, 2008, at Lakewood Church in Houston (sponsored by our sister title, The Church Bookstore magazine) is another good alternative. Go to www.thechurchbookstore.com for more details.

But, these events will not work for everyone, so we are doing all that we can to bring as much of the benefits of a trade show as possible to you through the pages of Inspirational Gift Trends.

We are committed to helping develop this magazine as a platform for showcasing some of the best that is available and a forum for offering retail help from merchandising to displays.

And we know that this free publication is helping Christian retailers—like Richard and Vanessa Yochim, who have seen some great developments since winning our $10,000 Extreme Gift Department Makeover earlier this year.

It is now six months since they completed the remodeling of their Heart & Home store in Arvada, Colo., with planning help and product support from our competition partners. There's an extensive update on the Yochims' store at our Web site that I believe will open your eyes and provide some great ideas for bringing new life to your gift department. It's to be found at www.inspirationalgifttrends.com, and is well worth 10 minutes of your time.

While you're online, please also take a few moments to complete the short questionnaire there. Your answers will enable us to keep refining Inspirational Gift Trends so that it becomes as much as possible the trade show that comes to your mailbox.

Thank you, and may you be encouraged as you enter the important Christmas season.