This time of year, one can’t drive far without noticing an out-of-state license plate, which is good news for the Tucson Gem, Mineral and Fossil Showcase.

The show, one of the largest in the world, grows every year. According to Kimberly Schmitz at the Metropolitan Tucson Convention and Visitors Bureau, there are 49 shows around Tucson this year, which is 11 more than last year.

The Bureau is conducting a new study of the economic impact of the show. Only half-way into the show, with some of the larger shows just opening last week n G.L.D.A. Tucson Gem & Jewelry Show, AGTA n and the show at the Tucson Convention Center opening Thursday (Feb. 8), it’s too early to tell whether there will be a difference.

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Rick Vaughan, senior vice president of sales and marketing at the bureau, says that with 11 more shows, it would make sense economic impact will grow beyond the $76.5 million the Bureau has estimated in the past.

“Adding more shows every year speaks to the strength of the show and to the great experiences [vendors] have when they come to Tucson,” Vaughan said.

Vendors he has spoken to tell tell Vaughan they are glad to be back in Tucson and ready to give a big boost.

“As long as the weather holds up, we will have a great show,” he said.

Regardless of the weather, people are showing up according to Doug Badik, general manager for Village Originals set up at Tucson Electric Park.

“You should have seen the line last Saturday,” Badik said. “People were waiting an hour and a half to check out.”

Village Originals, based out of Orlando, Fla. And Charleston, S.C., has been coming to Tucson since 1972, Badik said.

“Tucson is just good for business,” said Badik, who added the show in Tucson accounts for 20 to 25 percent of his annual business.

“We have buyers come see us here from all over the world,” he said. “Some will come from Europe and spend $60 to $100,000 here and that is their buying for the year.”

While Village Originals takes order on its website businesses, Badik said “people want to be able to look at and hold what they are buying before they buy it. They can do that here.”

Most of the public and private wholesale shows around town will continue through Feb. 11, when they will wrap up this year’s visit at 4 p.m.

E-mail comments for publication to editor@azbiz.com. Contact Joe Pangburn by e-mail at jpangburn@azbiz.com or call (520) 295-4259.

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