Get The Hell Out of Your Life with Ron Meyers
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Get The Hell Out of Your Life with Ron Meyers
Unwrapping the Legacy of the Ron Myers Christmas City Gift Show
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Introduction to Christmas City Gift Show
Speaker 1Ready for some holiday magic Always . Okay good , Because today we're going deep on the Ron Myers Christmas City Gift Show .
Speaker 2Oh yeah .
Speaker 1This is a Mississippi Gulf Coast thing , you know it's a big deal . It's been going on for like over 40 years .
Speaker 2Yeah .
Speaker 1Crazy . So we've got like all kinds of sources from like their website to you know applications for vendors .
Speaker 2Oh , wow .
Speaker 1We've got sponsor info . We've even got articles about like how it started and you know how it affects the community .
Speaker 2It's become a real institution down there .
Speaker 1Yeah , it really has . So the mission today is to give you the full picture . We're going to start with the guy who started it all .
Speaker 2Ron Myers .
Speaker 1Yeah , ron Myers , and then we're going to go all the way to like what it's like to shop there .
Speaker 2That's what I'm talking about .
Speaker 1I may be even convinced you to head down to the Gulf Coast this November . I might be convinced already . We'll stay tuned , you know . All right , let's see . So first up , Ron Myers the man , the myth , the legend .
Speaker 2He had an interesting start , started in the Air Force .
Speaker 1Oh yeah , I read that .
Speaker 2And somehow ended up putting together like over 250 events across the Gulf South .
Speaker 1It's crazy , right I ? Mean what a change . Total career pivot . And get this . He's originally from Cedar Rapids , iowa , no way . So he's like a fish out of water down there , exactly , which I think makes it even more interesting , you know .
Speaker 2Totally . It shows real vision . You know to create something so unique in a place that's like , so different from where you started .
Speaker 1Totally , totally Okay . So let's talk about Christmas City gift show . This is no like ordinary craft fair .
Speaker 2Oh no , it's massive .
Speaker 1It's huge , like picture this the Coast Convention Center .
Speaker 2Oh , wow .
Speaker 1Completely transformed into like a winter wonderland . I love that . Over 300 booths . You can find anything there . I mean anything .
Speaker 2I heard it's the place to go for unique gifts .
Speaker 1Yeah , like for those people who are impossible to shop for .
Speaker 2Yeah , yeah , you know the ones who have everything .
Speaker 1You'll find something for them there .
Speaker 2I bet .
Speaker 1Okay , okay , enough teasing , let's get into the specifics . So , mark your calendars , folks . November 8th through the 10th 2025 . Okay , At the Mississippi Coliseum in Biloxi , Got it ? General admission 10 bucks .
Speaker 2That's not bad at all .
Speaker 1Not bad at all , but they also have this thing Shopper's Paradise Ticket .
Speaker 2Ooh , tell me more .
Speaker 1It's 17 bucks . Yeah , we'll get into what that means a little later .
Speaker 2Looking forward to it .
Speaker 1And if you've got little ones , Breakfast santa saturday morning classy 30 bucks a kid okay that includes entry for two parents and it's like the whole , the whole santa experience oh , that's so cute photos and all that photos , ornament craft community crafting that's fun yeah , it's the , it's a whole thing sounds like a great way to kick off a day of shopping . Now shopper's paradise . This is where things get interesting . Friday night Adults only .
Speaker 2Ooh , I like the thought of that .
Speaker 1Live music , wine , beer . They even have a silent auction .
Speaker 2Wow , they've really thought of everything .
Speaker 1They really have . It's like a whole different vibe , like a more like I don't know sophisticated shopping experience .
Speaker 2Right , sip and shop , but make it holiday themed .
Speaker 1Exactly , but it's not just about the shopping at this thing , like they really focus on making the whole experience enjoyable for everyone .
Speaker 2That's important . It's got to be comfortable .
Speaker 1Right , so in 2020 , they actually widened the aisles . Oh , that's smart . So you don't feel so like crammed in even when it's crowded ? Especially with all those bags , you need room to maneuver exactly and they've got this whole santa land set up , you know , for the families oh , that's sweet you can
Ron Myers and Event Details
Speaker 1take photos with santa , write them letters .
Speaker 2It's really cute they're really going all out to create a family-friendly atmosphere yeah , it's definitely a multi-generational event .
Speaker 1You know , like people bring their kids , their grand grandkids . It's a whole thing .
Speaker 2I love that it becomes a tradition .
Speaker 1Totally Okay , but let's talk about like the bigger picture .
Speaker 2Okay , the impact yeah .
Speaker 1The impact this event . It doesn't just spread holiday cheer , it actually gives back to the community in a big way .
Speaker 2Really how so .
Speaker 1So get this Ron Myers Ministries . It's entirely funded by this Christmas show .
Speaker 2Wow , that's impressive .
Speaker 1Isn't that amazing ? So , like every purchase you make , every ticket you buy , it goes towards their charities .
Speaker 2That's incredible . What kind of charities do they support ?
Speaker 1Oh , all kinds Christian rehab centers , oh wow , anti-trafficking organizations , missions , podcasts that promote like good values .
Speaker 2That's amazing .
Speaker 1They do a lot .
Speaker 2So you're not just buying gifts , you're contributing to something meaningful .
Speaker 1Exactly , it's like built-in giving back , you know .
Speaker 2I love that . It adds another layer to the whole experience .
Speaker 1Totally , and it's not just the charity aspect . We read an article about how this event is like a big economic boost for the Gulf Coast , especially after the summer tourism season ends .
Speaker 2Right , because things tend to slow down after the summer rush .
Speaker 1Right . So this event ? It brings in people from all over .
Speaker 2Spending money at hotels , restaurants , local shops .
Speaker 1Exactly , it's a win-win for everyone and get this . It's actually considered one of the top 20 tourism events in the Southeast .
Speaker 2Really Wow , that's a big deal .
Speaker 1Yeah , it's pretty impressive .
Speaker 2It's come a long way from a local gift show .
Speaker 1It really has . But okay , let's circle back to this shopper's paradise thing .
Speaker 2Yes , Tell me more .
Speaker 1It's not your average shopping spree , it's more of a whole experience , like picture yourself with a glass of wine .
Speaker 2Ooh , I like where this is going .
Speaker 1Browsing all these amazing handcrafted goods .
Speaker 2While listening to live music .
Speaker 1Yes , and there are door prizes , and all the while , you know you're supporting local businesses and charities .
Speaker 2It's like the perfect combination of holiday indulgence and doing good .
Speaker 1Exactly . I'm kind of sold myself now .
Speaker 2Me too , but you know we've talked a lot about the shoppers . What about the people selling all this amazing stuff ?
Speaker 1Oh , the vendors .
Speaker 2Yeah , what's it like to be on the other side of the booth .
Speaker 1That's a great question . Let's dive into that next .
Speaker 2So you know , the vendor application actually gives us some insight into what it takes to be a part of this whole thing , oh really .
Speaker 1So it's not just like show up and sell your stuff .
Speaker 2No , no , no . They've got like a whole selection process , hmm , interesting . They want to make sure it's a really good experience for the shoppers that there's variety , that the stuff is , you know , high quality .
Speaker 1So they're curating it . It's not just any old craft fair .
Speaker 2Exactly Like . You have to submit detailed descriptions of your products .
Speaker 1Oh , wow .
Speaker 2Photos of your like booth setup , even like examples of your pricing .
Speaker 1Wow , they're serious about this . So they really are going for that whole like magical holiday shopping experience .
Speaker 2Yeah , yeah and get this . They actually ask vendors to donate like a $25 gift certificate .
Speaker 1Oh , for what ?
Speaker 2For door prizes .
Speaker 1That's a good idea it is right , Gets people
Shopper's Paradise Experience
Speaker 1excited . And it's good for the vendors too . Yeah , totally yeah . More exposure and it's good for the vendors too yeah totally yeah , more exposure and it kind of creates that sense of community , you know .
Speaker 2Absolutely . They're really good at that like promoting that community feel .
Speaker 1Yeah , it's like everyone's in it together . Oh , and I noticed they offer to male vendors like promotional stuff , really yeah , so they can like hand them out at other events .
Speaker 2That's smart .
Speaker 1That's really smart marketing , both both for the show and for the vendors .
Speaker 2Totally More exposure for everyone . Okay , but let's get into the nitty gritty , the booth options .
Speaker 1Yeah , yeah , like , how does that work ?
Speaker 2So they have different sizes from like a standard 10 by 10 space . Okay , all the way up to these like 20 by 20 island booths .
Speaker 1Oh wow , that must be prime real estate .
Speaker 2Oh for sure , Location is everything , Even in a holiday wonderland . A standard booth starts at $425 .
Speaker 1Okay .
Speaker 2But if you want a corner spot , better visibility , more foot traffic .
Speaker 1Yeah .
Speaker 2That'll cost you an extra like 50 to 75 bucks .
Speaker 1It's all about location , location , location , right , just like in regular retail .
Speaker 2Exactly A prime spot can make all the difference . And then of course there are , you know , the usual add-ons electricity for your booth , extra tables , that kind of thing .
Speaker 1So vendors can really customize their setup , make it their own .
Speaker 2Exactly . It all depends on their needs , their budget . But one thing that caught my eye was the cancellation policy .
Speaker 1Oh yeah , what about it ?
Speaker 2No refunds , no credits If the event has to be canceled because of , you know , like a hurricane or a virus outbreak . It's tough it is , but I guess from the organizer's perspective it makes sense . They have to cover their costs .
Speaker 1Right , but yeah , vendors have to put down a 50% deposit .
Speaker 2Right , and then the rest is due by July 1st , so it's a pretty significant financial commitment .
Speaker 1It is for sure . But I imagine for a lot of businesses it's worth it .
Speaker 2Yeah , especially if you're selling like handmade stuff or you know something unique .
Speaker 1It's a chance to connect directly with customers which you just can't do online .
Speaker 2you know Exactly and you know people are in that holiday shopping mood . They're looking for special gifts or more open to trying new things .
Speaker 1It's prime time for those small businesses and artisans to really shine .
Speaker 2Absolutely , it's their time to shine and I think there's also , like this , sense of community among the vendors . Oh yeah for sure , like they're all in it together , supporting each other . It's like a team effort you know Totally , and for a lot of these small local businesses , these events are everything .
Speaker 1Yeah , it's their bread and butter .
Speaker 2It's how they connect with their customers , build their brand .
Speaker 1It's the heart of entrepreneurship
Community Impact and Charity Work
Speaker 1and that adds another dimension to this whole Christmas City gift show thing . You know .
Speaker 2Definitely . You're not just buying a product , you're supporting someone's dream .
Speaker 1Exactly , and that human connection is so important , especially during the holidays .
Speaker 2Totally . It's about so much more than just checking things off your shopping list .
Speaker 1It's about the experience , the connection , the community .
Speaker 2Exactly so . We've talked about like the present day stuff , but this event has been going on for a while , right ?
Speaker 1It has . Do you remember how long ?
Speaker 241 years 41 years . Can you believe that Over four decades of holiday cheer ?
Speaker 1That's amazing .
Speaker 2It really is . It just goes to show how popular this thing is .
Speaker 1It's become a tradition .
Speaker 2And you know it's not like they've just been doing the same thing over and over .
Speaker 1Right , they've been evolving , changing with the times .
Speaker 2Exactly Like that Shopper's Paradise thing that started in 2016 , I think .
Speaker 1Yeah , and it's been a huge hit .
Speaker 2And those wider aisles .
Speaker 1Yeah , that was 2020 .
Speaker 2Smart move . They're listening to feedback . They're making it better every year . Exactly that's how you keep people coming back . I wish we had some like stories from past shows . You know anecdotes from shoppers or vendors .
Speaker 1I know right . Can you imagine all the memories that have been made there , like the ribbon-cutting ceremony every year , where Santa actually cuts the ribbon ?
Speaker 2Oh , I bet the kids love that .
Speaker 1Oh , I bet it's probably a core memory for some of those kids , totally yeah .
Speaker 2And then there's breakfast with Santa on Saturday morning . Smart move for the parents , you know , keeps the kids entertained . Really shop .
Speaker 1Genius , strategic parenting at its finest , and then Shopper's Paradise on Friday night for the adults .
Speaker 2Live music wine it's a whole vibe .
Speaker 1It is , but you know , sometimes it's the unplanned moments that are the most memorable .
Speaker 2Oh , absolutely , those chance encounters , the unexpected finds .
Speaker 1Talking to the vendors , hearing their stories .
Speaker 2That's what makes it special , that human connection .
Speaker 1And Ron Myers has clearly created something really special here . It's not just a gift show .
Speaker 2No , it's an experience .
Speaker 1It's a reflection of the community , yeah , of the spirit of the Gulf Coast .
Speaker 2And you know , as we're talking about all this , I'm struck by how much personality this event has . It's not just some generic holiday market .
Speaker 1Right , it's got charm , it's got character , it's got heart .
Speaker 2It's Ron Myers himself . Yeah , his energy , his vision .
Speaker 1Totally and his dedication to giving back .
Speaker 2It's a great example of how a business can be a force
Vendor Opportunities and Requirements
Speaker 2for good .
Speaker 1Absolutely Uplifting others , spreading holiday cheer . It all comes back to that human need for connection you know , especially during the holidays .
Speaker 2Right . That need to belong , to be a part of something bigger than yourself .
Speaker 1And in this world where everything is so digital , it's so important to have those real-life experiences .
Speaker 2Those face-to-face interactions , those tangible memories .
Speaker 1Exactly , and sometimes those experiences come in the form of a bustling holiday market , you know .
Speaker 2Filled with unique gifts and the warmth of community spirit .
Speaker 1Yeah , it's a reminder that the holidays are about more than just stuff .
Speaker 2It's about connection , memories , sharing joy with others .
Speaker 1And the Ron Myers Christmas City Gift Show really seems to capture all of that .
Speaker 2It does . But as we're wrapping up this part of our deep dive , there's one question that keeps coming back to me .
Speaker 1Oh yeah .
Speaker 2What's that ?
Speaker 1What is it about this specific event that keeps people coming back year after year ? We've talked about the vendors , the charity , the atmosphere , but what's the secret sauce ?
Speaker 2That's a good question . What is it ? Is it the sense of community ? Like , you're surrounded by people who just love the holidays .
Speaker 1Maybe , or is it the thrill of the hunt ?
Speaker 2Ooh , finding that one of a kind gift .
Speaker 1Yeah , or maybe it's knowing that you're supporting local businesses , doing something good .
Speaker 2It could be all of that .
Speaker 1It probably is . It's like this magical combination .
Speaker 2Whatever it is , it's powerful it is .
Speaker 1It transforms a simple gift show into something so much more .
Speaker 2A tradition , a community gathering , a reminder of the true spirit of the holidays .
Speaker 1So well said , but now we want to hear from you , the listener .
Speaker 2Yeah .
Speaker 1What are your thoughts ? What stood out to you about the Ron Myers Christmas City gift show ?
Speaker 2The gifts , the family atmosphere , the charity , the shopper's paradise .
Speaker 1We want to know what you think .
Speaker 2Has this deep dive sparked your curiosity ?
Speaker 1Would you consider a trip down to the Mississippi Gulf Coast this holiday season ? Let us know .
Speaker 2We love hearing from you .
Speaker 1We've explored the history , the details , the impact of this incredible event , but remember this is just the beginning of your own exploration .
Speaker 2So dive deeper . Check out the vendors Ron Myers Ministries .
Speaker 1Maybe even plan that Gulf Coast road trip , why not ? Until next time , keep learning , keep exploring and we'll see you on our next deep dive .
Speaker 2So we've gone from , like Ron Myers , starting in the Air Force , to this huge event with hundreds of booths . We've talked about how it helps the community and all the cool stuff you can buy , and that Shopper's Paradise thing which sounds pretty amazing , by the way but now . Now it's your turn . It Pretty amazing , by the way , but now .
Speaker 1Now it's your turn . It's your turn . What are you thinking about all this ? What's stuck with you ?
Speaker 2Was it like the sheer size of this thing or the fact that it's been going for over 40 years , that's ?
Speaker 1incredible . Or maybe it was that picture of Santa cutting the ribbon . I mean , come on , that's adorable .
Speaker 2Or the thought of finding a gift that you literally cannot find anywhere else . Yeah , or maybe knowing that when
Legacy and Lasting Appeal
Speaker 2you buy something . Yeah , you're helping out all these good causes .
Speaker 1It's a pretty cool combo . So the big question does this sound like an event you'd actually go to ? Would you like brave the crowds ?
Speaker 2Head down to the Gulf Coast .
Speaker 1To experience this thing firsthand . And OK , here's another question . If you could ask Ron Myers himself , the man himself , just one question , if you could ask Ron Myers himself , the man himself , just one question , what would it be like ? What's his secret ? How's he managed to create this event that people keep coming back to year after year for over four decades ? What's the magic formula ? We've given you a taste of the Ron Myers Christmas City gift show the history , the vendors , the impact all that good stuff , but it's just a starting point .
Speaker 1You know , it's up to you to dig deeper , to explore more . Maybe check out those vendors online .
Speaker 2See what catches your eye .
Speaker 1Learn more about Ron Myers Ministries Heck , maybe even start planning a trip down to the Gulf Coast . You know who knows ?
Speaker 2Become your new holiday tradition .
Speaker 1Exactly so until next time , keep that curiosity alive , keep exploring and we'll see you on our next deep dive . We've got lots more fascinating stuff to uncover .