BUYERS AT THE JULY 2004 CHICAGO GIFT & HOME MARKET™ FIND EVERYTHING THEY NEED AND LOOK FORWARD TO EVEN MORE RESOURCES IN JANUARY 2005
CHICAGO (Aug. 6, 2004) – The Chicago Gift & Home Market™ at The Merchandise Mart, July 21-28, 2004, gave buyers a limitless selection of resources — with more on the way soon — while showrooms and exhibitors were busy writing orders and taking part in the Market’s special events.
The July 2004 Chicago Gift & Home Market offered manufacturers and buyers a convenient venue for doing business on a number of levels. “The Chicago Market has been fantastic for us,” said Bali Sama from Straight Line Collection. “We love the people and the city — they’re the best! I’ve been coming to shows for more than 30 years and Chicago is by far my favorite. From the setup and quality of exhibit spaces to the individuals you come in contact with, no other market compares.”
Vicki Leckie, a representative for Bunnies By The Bay in Anacortes, Wash., said, “We love exhibiting in Chicago! It is so people-friendly for both buyers and exhibitors, and there is an ambiance to the city that just draws people in. You may go to markets in New York and Atlanta, but Chicago keeps you coming back for more.”
Jerry Reed, president of H. Potter, added, “In my new showroom I was able to show all my products properly, which resulted in bigger orders. In addition, I really benefited from the longer show, specifically the days before the temps opened because it translates to more business. And in conjunction with advertising in the on-site directory, I attracted the majority of my Midwest buyers.”
“I’m so glad the show is a week long because I haven’t left this floor all day,” said Geralyn Holkbe, a buyer from The Write Touch. “We are from North Carolina and usually go to the Atlanta show but decided to try something new this year and visit the Chicago Gift & Home Market. What a great idea that was, because I know I will be walking out of here with some really fabulous products.”
This year’s Market also featured a special Industry Symposium that participants found invaluable. Designed as a thoughtful exchange regarding the state of the gift industry, a panel of six marketplace leaders was assembled to spearhead discussions. “We received excellent feedback about how very necessary and useful this symposium was,” said Megy Karydes, director of marketing, MMPI.
Chris Collins, a panelist and the senior vice president of sales for Figi, said, “I thoroughly enjoyed the meeting and believe that this kind of forum and interaction is desperately needed in our industry.”
The panel was comprised of a cross-section of manufacturers, rep groups and retailers: Randy Eller, president, CBK; Chris Collins, senior vice president, Figi; Gail Michel, accessory buyer, Bay Furniture; Alexis Bighley, president, Gift Creations Concepts; John Keiser, president, Ivan Bloom Associates, a member of OneCoast; and Mike McGilvray, president, Anne McGilvray company. Throughout the symposium, panelists discussed the five “Ps” of marketing — product, placement, promotion, price and people — and which of those were the most challenging in their particular business segments. Additional discussions included how the gift industry can stay relevant to its customers, how it can adjust to change and what the industry can do to make positive changes for the future.
“Specialty retailing survival depends on bringing a younger generation into our industry,” said Helen Yanek, owner of Washington Square, Ltd. in Delaware and president of NALED. “We can no longer do business the way we did yesterday. Fresh thinking and enthusiasm is a must. Communication and a working plan is the basis for mutual success.”
Other points of interest for Market attendees and participants included awards for best showrooms and exhibitors. This year’s permanent showroom winners included: Dunroven House in showroom 12-428; Max Bentley Rusty Blades in showroom 13-200; and W. Kurt Kuker in showroom 1460; and Manual Woodworkers & Weavers in showroom 1581. Temporary exhibitor awards went to: Beckman’s Handcrafted exhibitor Bunnies By The Bay in 2-211; general gift market exhibitor Australia Steamboat in 8-B402; and home exhibitor Authentic Models in 8-H326.
Among the Market’s special events was the 7th Annual Summertime Block Party benefiting Gift for Life. Guests took in food and drink donated from more than a dozen Chicago-area restaurants, as well as entertainment from the Bandoleros. Raising more than $14,000 — a significant increase from 2003 proceeds — was the highlight of the evening. Sponsors like Demdaco, Ivan Bloom Associates, Kenneth Ludwig Home Furnishings, Bags & Bows, and Pacific Rim, helped make the fundraising a success. This year’s silent auction item was a blank canvas pillow on which showrooms were able to display their creative talents. The highest bid pillow was Demdaco’s, going for $450.
Those attending the Market experienced enhancements through amenities like easy registration, an Internet Café and Product Locator Service, free shuttle trolley service, concierge, and quality cafes and snack bars throughout the Market floors.
2005 CHICAGO GIFT & HOME MARKET™ EXPANSION
The Merchandise Mart’s 7th floor conversion will allow for a 100,000-square-foot expansion of exhibit space, making it home to hundreds of new gift and home exhibitors for the January 2005 Market, Jan.19-26, 2005. The 7th floor expansion – which will grow the Chicago Gift & Home Market’s total dedicated square footage to 1,150,000 over six floors of The Mart – will feature a combination of previous exhibitors who want to expand their offerings by showcasing their product in a larger space, as well as brand new manufacturers that will be showing product for the first time. This next expansion of temporary exhibitors will mark the third increase in as many years for the Market.
Upcoming Chicago Gift & Home Market dates are:
• Fall Chicago Gift & Home Market — Sept. 18-20, 2004
• January Chicago Gift & Home Market — Jan. 19-26, 2005
• Spring Chicago Gift & Home Market — March 19-21, 2005
• July Chicago Gift & Home Market — July 20-27, 2005
For more information on Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc. (MMPI) or the Chicago Gift & Home Market, please visit www.merchandisemart.com and click on "Chicago Gift & Home Market" or call (800) 677-6278 (MART).
The Chicago Gift & Home Market is a trademark of Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc. (MMPI). MMPI is a trade show and property management firm, specializing in managing buildings devoted to wholesale showrooms and commercial office space. MMPI produces more than 300 trade shows, market events and conferences each year.
MMPI manages The Merchandise Mart, Chicago Apparel Center, and 33 North Dearborn in Chicago; Market Square, the Suites at Market Square, Hamilton Market, Plaza Suites, Furniture Plaza and the National Furniture Mart in High Point, N.C.; the Architects & Designers Building in New York; the L.A. Mart in Los Angeles; and the Washington Design Center and Washington Office Center in Washing Washington, D.C.
Vornado Realty Trust, owner of MMPI, based in New York City, is a fully integrated equity real estate investment trust. Vornado's common shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange and are traded under the symbol VNO.
MEDIA INQUIRIES ONLY:
Joanna Mineau
Director of Public Relations
Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc.
312.527.7074
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