The Canadian Gift Association is expanding its footprint in Atlantic Canada with the Atlantic Gift + Home Market 2026, a trade-only event that marks both growth and transformation for the region’s wholesale gift industry.
Taking place March 8 to 10, 2026, at the Halifax Convention Centre, the show builds on the association’s inaugural Atlantic market launched in March 2025 at the Moncton Coliseum. While 2026 represents the second year of CanGift’s presence in the region, it introduces several significant firsts that elevate the scale and ambition of the event.
Most notably, CanGift has partnered with the Craft East Buyers’ Expo to create a unified buying platform that brings commercial giftware and authentically Atlantic-made craft together under one roof.
A Landmark Partnership in the Maritimes
The co-location of the Atlantic Gift + Home Market 2026 with the Craft East Buyers’ Expo creates what organizers describe as one of the largest gift and craft trade shows ever held in the Maritimes. Nearly 200 Canadian exhibitors are expected to participate, presenting a broad and curated mix of product categories.
“This partnership represents an exciting step forward for the gift and craft industries in Atlantic Canada,” said Dwayne McKillop, President and CEO of the Canadian Gift Association. “We’re thrilled to work with Craft Alliance Atlantic to spotlight the extraordinary creativity and entrepreneurial spirit found in this region.”
Bernard Burton, Executive Director of Craft Alliance Atlantic, highlighted the opportunity for regional makers. “The Atlantic region is home to a vibrant community of skilled craftspeople and artisans,” he said. “By collaborating with CanGift, we are creating a national platform in Halifax that connects these makers with retailers looking for distinct, high-quality products.”
For retailers, the result is a single destination to source both established commercial brands and handmade products rooted in Atlantic Canada’s creative economy.
A New Venue in the Heart of Halifax
The move from Moncton to Halifax signals the event’s growth trajectory. Hosting the Atlantic Gift + Home Market 2026 at the Halifax Convention Centre places the show in a modern downtown venue with increased accessibility, hospitality infrastructure, and expanded exhibition capacity.
The central location also reinforces Halifax’s role as a commercial hub for the region, making it easier for retailers from Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, and beyond to attend.
As part of CanGift’s 50th-anniversary year, the Halifax event underscores the association’s national strategy of delivering regionally accessible markets while maintaining a cohesive coast-to-coast wholesale platform.
A Curated Marketplace for Qualified Buyers
The Atlantic Gift + Home Market 2026 is a wholesale, trade-only event designed exclusively for qualified retail buyers. Attendees will have the opportunity to evaluate products firsthand, place orders directly with makers and manufacturers, and establish long-term supplier relationships.
Exhibitors will span categories including giftware, home décor, lifestyle merchandise, souvenirs, food, fashion, fine craft, art, textiles, wellness, and more. The combination of commercial product lines and Atlantic-made craft reflects how retailers today curate assortments that balance national brands with regionally distinctive offerings.
By bringing nearly 200 Canadian exhibitors together, the show aims to provide a professional marketplace that supports both immediate buying decisions and longer-term business development.
Event Details and Schedule
The Atlantic Gift + Home Market 2026 will be held at the Halifax Convention Centre, located at 1650 Argyle Street in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Show hours are as follows:
Sunday, March 8 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Monday, March 9 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Tuesday, March 10 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Admission is reserved for qualified retail buyers and industry professionals.
Part of a National 50th-Anniversary Celebration
The Halifax show follows CanGift’s winter Toronto Gift + Home Market and its Alberta Gift + Home Market in Edmonton, forming part of a 2026 calendar that celebrates five decades of supporting Canada’s gift, home, and lifestyle industries.
While 2025 established CanGift’s Atlantic presence, the Atlantic Gift + Home Market 2026 represents a new chapter defined by scale, partnership, and regional collaboration. By aligning with Craft East and relocating to Halifax, the association is reinforcing its commitment to strengthening retail supply chains across every region of the country.
Interested in Exhibiting?
Exhibitors interested in participating in the Atlantic Gift + Home Market 2026 are encouraged to contact Tanya Brennan at 416.642.1035 or via email at tbrennan@cangift.org for further information on registration and booth opportunities.
For more information on CanGift’s Atlantic Gift + Home Market 2026, visit the website.
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