About 300 manufacturers and sales representatives convened in Phoenix last month for the annual meeting of the Gift and Home Trade Association (formerly the United Sales Association).

The three-day conference boasted a series of seminars and break-out sessions, with topics ranging from Internet marketing, trends, show cost-benefit analysis, balancing work and personal life, rep-manufacturer relationships, sale incentives and more.

Randy Eller of Eller Enterprises closed the meeting to a standing ovation with his presentation on helping independent retailers succeed.

Other highlights included a "Denim Ball" with live entertainment, dancing and a silent auction with items donated by the manufacturers and suppliers represented. A "water park shootout" at the Pointe South Resort concluded the event.

As previously announced, the organization is looking to sponsor a non-profit, industry-wide annual show. According to Stuart Miller, vice president of sales and marketing for Goodwin Weavers and treasurer of the GHTA, the group is aiming to launch the show in 2010, though details on the specific timing and location are still undecided.

The conference marked the official name change for the group.

"The new name more accurately reflects the true membership of the group, which is now about 50% manufacturers and 50% sales representatives in the gift and home industry," said GHTA president Trip Van Roden. "It is the only national trade association in this industry and we wanted a name that reflected that."

The focus of the organization has also expanded to include a wider range of industry issues, including the recent creation of the GHTA Retail Advisory Board to concentrate on issues facing retailers and how reps and manufacturers can work to help resolve those issues.