Tom Newell

Tom was the founder of Espresso Stop Coffee House and Bakery located in Canton, Ohio as well as co-founder of Baskets to Go and International BasketFanfare both located in Canton, Ohio. Tom owned Newell's Home Improvements and Newell's Wood Shop both located in Canton, Ohio. He comes from a contractor background with sales and marketing know how that will not stop! Tom was in charge of the sales floor, warehouse, deliveries, and everyday baking in the coffee house for over 2 decades! Tom was CEO display manager for Montgomery Wards for 3 states. His design ideas are amazing. He has joined the teaching staff of Fancy Food Show in NY and the World Tea Expo in Las Vegas 2010. Tom has also taught seminars at Atlanta Mart, Minneapolis Gift Mart, Kansas City Gift Mart, Pittsburgh Gift Mart, Denver Gift mart, Nashville Jubilee, Las Vegas Jubilee, Cincinnati Jubilee, Chicago Basket Connection, Aces New Orleans, Aces St. Petersburg and Columbus,  Trade shows, and Temporary shows across the USA. Tom has been on many advisory boards and appeared on TV8 and TV3 morning shows. He has been a a National Design Winner and nominated for many awards during the last 15 years. Tom is active in the retail, coffee, and gift industry and will continue for many years to come.

Tom is also co-founder with wife Pam of the National Gift Basket Convention since 2009 and have helped hundreds of Gift Basket Professionals grow their businesses with Profit and Style.

Tom joined the International Gift Basket Training Team to teach in Jamaica 2011 and has agreed to teach for 2012 and 2013 for Creations! Jamaica. Tom and Pam will be the keynote speakers at the 2012 Advanced Skillset Conference - August 12, 2012 in Canton, Ohio.

Pam Newell

Pam started her relationship with the gift basket industry in 1979 when she opened their home-based business, Baskets-To-Go. Pam previously worked for Roadway Express for over 20 years in Payroll and sold Real Estate for over 13 years. In 1982 Tom joined Pam at Baskets-To-Go and added a warehouse to support her growing commercial accounts. In 1993 they established an additional retail location that included an Espresso Stop Coffee House and Bakery. By 1997 these operations, which included the Gift Basket Shop, Coffee Shop, Warehouse, Bakery and Corporate offices doubled in size. In June of 2001 they opened their new international company BasketFanfare. That new company was housed in a 7500 sq. ft. assembly plant including corporate offices. In 2004 BasketFanfare moved to West Tuscarawas Street, Canton, Ohio to provide a better storefront location closer to Aultman Hospital. In 2004 they together started Gift Basket School and decided to help the industry by teaching their own style of workshops and seminars. In 2005 they sold their retail locations to dedicate their lives to education and helping others in the industry achieve their dreams! In 2009 they saw a need for an affordable convention and are doing this today!

Pam has taught seminars and how to clinics at Atlanta Mart, Columbus Market Place (14 times), Pittsburgh Gift Mart, Denver Gift Mart, LA Market Place, New Orleans - Columbus - St. Petersburg = Aces, Las Vegas- Nashville & Cincinnati - Jubilee, Chicago - Basket Connection, New York Gift Mart, Chicago Gift Mart, Trade Shows, Fancy Food 2010, World Tea Expo 2010, and many more! Pam has served proudly on the advisory board of Gift Basket Review, Trends and Tips, Columbus Market Place, Gift Marketing Alliance, GBA, and more. She has appeared on Tv 3, Tv 8, and Fox 28 morning shows. She has written for many gift basket and craft magazines and helps others with interviews monthly. She is co-author of "Fundelamentals" for the industry. Pam has joined the International Teaching team in Jamaica for the Gift Industry for 2011-2013.

 Her passion is to see other gift basket professionals achieve their own dreams and she wants to help the industry re-define with professionalism and style. Pam is a mother, grandmother, and wife with a love of GOD and family. Tom & Pam are founders and co-owners of the National Gift Basket Professional Convention and are both International Motivational Speakers traveling Nationally to share their educational seminars.

Pam will be the Keynote speaker at the 2012 Advanced Skillset Conference in Canton, Ohio - August 12, 2012.

Pam has been the keynote speaker for the last 4 National Gift Basket Conventions and will again this year as well.