Products

WHO ARE WE?
We are a manufacturer representative agency in the gift industry.  We are also a hard working group of sales professionals with a family feel, and a commitment to bringing great products and great service to the markets we serve.

WHAT TERRITORY DO WE COVER?
We service the Mid-Atlantic and the Southeast regions of the US including: New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Florida, and Puerto Rico. 

HOW LONG HAVE WE BEEN IN BUSINESS?
Gib Carson Associates was founded in 1976 by Gib Carson Sr. in the state of Virginia.  In January of 2006 we celebrated 30 successful years as a destination for innovative ideas and products.

HOW MANY SALES REPRESENTATIVES DO WE HAVE?
We currently have 34 sales associates covering our territory. In addition to these sales representatives, we have a key account sales rep, a close-out representative, and a showroom manager. Our sales associates are professional, highly organized, and self-motivated individuals.  They are extensively trained, well versed in product knowledge, and adept at problem solving.

WHO ARE OUR CUSTOMERS?
We sell to a broad range of independent accounts and chain stores.  Last year alone, over 9,000 accounts bought from Gib Carson Associates.  This includes the following types of stores: Airport shops, Collectible Stores, General Gift Stores, Antique Shops, Drug Stores, Hospital Gift Shops, Bookstores, Department Stores, Internet Stores, Card Shops, Florist & Nurseries, Museum stores, Catalog accounts, Furniture Stores, Stationery stores, Chain Stores, Garden Stores, Theme Parks, Children’s Shops, Home Accent Stores, Tourist shops, College Bookstores and Home Shopping Networks.

WHAT TYPES OF PRODUCTS ARE IN OUR LINE PACKAGE?
Gib Carson Associates' product package includes general gift, home décor, candles and fragrance, jewelry, books and cards, souvenir, and seasonal products. Leading lines include Highland Graphics, Park Designs, Great Finds, Carson Home Accents, Custom Décor, Sterling Publishing, SWIBCO, Cottage Garden, Aspen Bay Candles, Fiesta, and Young’s Inc.

WHAT TRADE SHOWS DO WE PARTICIPATE IN?
Gib Carson Associates operates a 14,000 square foot showroom at the Atlanta Gift Mart, which is our window to the gift world. Our showroom is a busy, high energy and fun experience, and yet it is also a very comfortable and productive place for both vendors and retailers to call home.  Through our partnership with Showroom Solutions, Inc., we are fully computerized with order writing scanners, and enjoy seamless integration between our showroom, road reps, and home office. In addition to Atlanta, we have a large presence at the Philadelphia Gift Show and the Market Square Gift Show, and we also participate in the Myrtle Beach and Gatlinburg shows.

HOW DO WE TRAIN AND MAINTAIN OUR SALES FORCE?
Rick Jones is our full time Sales Manager.  Prior to joining Gib Carson Associates in 1999, Rick served as Regional Manager for Carson Home Accents, and before that he spent 10 years with American Greetings.  With over 25 years of gift industry experience, Rick is continually in the field with our sales associates promoting training and product knowledge, and assisting our sales reps in meeting their goals.  We often conduct sales meetings in our organization, with an emphasis on new product training and customer service.

WHO OPERATES THE COMPANY?
The Carson Family owns Gib Carson Associates.  The company was started in 1976 in Virginia, when Gib Carson Sr. began as an independent sales representative.  Over the years, the company has grown to encompass an area covering 14 states.  Gib Carson Sr. now serves as the CEO. Gib Carson Jr. joined the company in 1990, and currently serves as President, and handles the daily management activities of the company. 

WHY SHOULD YOU PARTNER WITH GIB CARSON ASSOCIATES?
Gib Carson Associates is committed to being a leader in the gift industry.  We provide our vendors with the level of hard work, dedication, and success they deserve and need.  We do this while identifying the highest needs of our retailers, and striving until to we meet them.  Superior service and a long-term partnership is the goal of every relationship we have.  At Gib Carson Associates we take the trust that you put in us very seriously, and we are committed to offering you more.