ASD/AMD Merchandise Group

ASD/AMD Merchandise Group is the leading producer of trade shows and publications, in the variety, gift and general merchandise industry. It was founded more than 40 years ago by Walter Fletcher, when he began producing small trade shows in Santa Monica, Calif., for the Associated Surplus Dealers (ASD), a West Coast trade group representing military surplus retailers. Originally composed primarily of surplus wholesalers, the shows began to expand following a move to Las Vegas in the early 1960s. The ASD ultimately added Associated Merchandise Dealers (AMD) to their name, and the ASD/AMD trade shows grew quickly to become the largest variety and general merchandise shows in the country.

Today, the ASD/AMD Merchandise Group produces trade shows annually, in Las Vegas, New York, and Atlantic City, including the variety and general merchandise industry's flagship event, the 8,000-booth ASD/AMD Trade Show-Las Vegas. These mega-events, that draw upwards of 55,000 attendees, are held twice each year in Las Vegas at the Las Vegas Convention Center and the Sands Expo Center, in conjunction with the ASD/AMD Jewelry Show at the Mirage and ASD/AMD's Las Vegas Gift Expo at the Sands Expo Center, the fastest-growing event in the gift marketplace.