In this edition of 4 Questions With, new Andmore President Scott Eckman discusses the importance of a good market strategy and what to expect in the industry during these turbulent economic times. Q: As the recently named president of Andmore you bring previous experience with the organization and the industries it serves to the post. How does that previous experience inform the approach you take to serving the company and the various industries you work with in this new role? A: Having spent over a decade with Andmore and two years on the exhibitor side at Loloi, I’ve seen firsthand what success looks like from both perspectives. Loloi is a company that understands how to show up at market — investing in product, presentation and relationships — and so it reinforced for me how much impact a well-executed market strategy can have. At the same time, my years at Andmore gave me a deep understanding of how thoughtfully these markets are built to support that kind of success. That dual perspective shapes how I lead today. I’m passionate about this industry, and I believe that markets work best when we create the right conditions for brands to thrive. Andmore plays an essential role in making that possible and I see my job as continuing to elevate the experience for everyone we serve. Q: At a time of uncertainty, with tariffs, inflation and soft consumer demand, what role can markets and tradeshows play in helping the industry move forward productively? A: In times like these, staying connected matters more than ever. As our industry faces new pressures, our markets continue to serve as a vital space for collaboration and sustained momentum. At Andmore, we’re committed to listening and evolving in order to better serve our customers. Regardless of brand size, our role is to create opportunities for meaningful and effective connection, ultimately offering an industry stronghold in a changing landscape. Q: E-commerce and digital marketing have changed the ways that companies engage with and serve consumers. How does that change the environment for markets and tradeshows and the way that they serve their trade constituents? A: What’s exciting to me is how digital has expanded the ways we can support our customers. We’re not only showing up for them when they walk through the doors, we’re building relationships long before and after. Social, email, digital campaigns are all tools we’re using to help buyers discover what’s happening and help exhibitors get in front of the right audience earlier. Increasingly, digital tools are giving us real-time and predictive visibility into how markets are tracking. For example, by looking at awareness and engagement at the top of the funnel, we can better evaluate and even start to predict the success of a market. This allows us to adjust our approach in real-time to support stronger outcomes for exhibitors and attendees alike. Markets are still all about in-person connection, but digital is helping us bring more value to that moment. Q: How would you describe your outlook for the gift industry for the remainder of 2025 and heading into 2026? A: My outlook is simple: Bet on the U.S. consumer and bet on your company. Invest to win and trust in the future. Whether the market grows 5 percent or dips 2 percent, there’s real opportunity if you lead with a positive, focused strategy. The current climate can feel disorienting, but business fundamentals and consumer resilience are still strong. A company can grow in a down market by outperforming peers; however, it can also lose ground in the upmarket by falling behind. If you’re counting only on the broader market to fuel growth, you’re likely already losing ground to your more aggressive competitors and peers. Looking ahead, no one expects a major economic surge, but the challenges seem manageable. Growth won’t come from showing up alone. Whether you have 2 percent or 10 percent of your category, success comes from executing better, delivering value and staying close to your customers. That’s why being at market — connecting in person — is key to staying competitive. I feel good about where we’re headed.
— News Original —
4 Questions With Scott Eckman – Gifts & Decorative Accessories
In this edition of 4 Questions With, new Andmore President Scott Eckman discusses the importance of a good market strategy and what to expect in the industry during these turbulent economic times.
Q: As the recently named president of Andmore you bring previous experience with the organization and the industries it serves to the post. How does that previous experience inform the approach you take to serving the company and the various industries you work with in this new role?
A: Having spent over a decade with Andmore and two years on the exhibitor side at Loloi, I’ve seen firsthand what success looks like from both perspectives. Loloi is a company that understands how to show up at market — investing in product, presentation and relationships — and so it reinforced for me how much impact a well-executed market strategy can have. At the same time, my years at Andmore gave me a deep understanding of how thoughtfully these markets are built to support that kind of success.
That dual perspective shapes how I lead today. I’m passionate about this industry, and I believe that markets work best when we create the right conditions for brands to thrive. Andmore plays an essential role in making that possible and I see my job as continuing to elevate the experience for everyone we serve.
Q: At a time of uncertainty, with tariffs, inflation and soft consumer demand, what role can markets and tradeshows play in helping the industry move forward productively?
A: In times like these, staying connected matters more than ever. As our industry faces new pressures, our markets continue to serve as a vital space for collaboration and sustained momentum.
At Andmore, we’re committed to listening and evolving in order to better serve our customers. Regardless of brand size, our role is to create opportunities for meaningful and effective connection, ultimately offering an industry stronghold in a changing landscape.
Q: E-commerce and digital marketing have changed the ways that companies engage with and serve consumers. How does that change the environment for markets and tradeshows and the way that they serve their trade constituents?
A: What’s exciting to me is how digital has expanded the ways we can support our customers. We’re not only showing up for them when they walk through the doors, we’re building relationships long before and after. Social, email, digital campaigns are all tools we’re using to help buyers discover what’s happening and help exhibitors get in front of the right audience earlier.
Increasingly, digital tools are giving us real-time and predictive visibility into how markets are tracking. For example, by looking at awareness and engagement at the top of the funnel, we can better evaluate and even start to predict the success of a market. This allows us to adjust our approach in real-time to support stronger outcomes for exhibitors and attendees alike. Markets are still all about in-person connection, but digital is helping us bring more value to that moment.
Q: How would you describe your outlook for the gift industry for the remainder of 2025 and heading into 2026?
A: My outlook is simple: Bet on the U.S. consumer and bet on your company. Invest to win and trust in the future. Whether the market grows 5 percent or dips 2 percent, there’s real opportunity if you lead with a positive, focused strategy.
The current climate can feel disorienting, but business fundamentals and consumer resilience are still strong. A company can grow in a down market by outperforming peers; however, it can also lose ground in the upmarket by falling behind. If you’re counting only on the broader market to fuel growth, you’re likely already losing ground to your more aggressive competitors and peers.
Looking ahead, no one expects a major economic surge, but the challenges seem manageable. Growth won’t come from showing up alone. Whether you have 2 percent or 10 percent of your category, success comes from executing better, delivering value and staying close to your customers. That’s why being at market — connecting in person — is key to staying competitive. I feel good about where we’re headed.