FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THE JULY 2005 CHICAGO GIFT & HOME MARKET
HEATS UP WITH STRONG SALES AND INCREASED ORDERS AT THE MERCHANDISE MART
CHICAGO (Aug. 11, 2005) – Summer in the city sizzled as the July 2005 Chicago Gift & Home Market attracted droves of buyers to The Merchandise Mart July 20-27, with Temporaries (including Beckman’s Handcrafted Gift Show Chicago) open July 23-26. As the mercury rose to record-breaking levels, showrooms and exhibitors continued to see increased sales, agreeing that the show was a success due to the number of orders written and relationships forged.
“With our expanded and renovated temporary exhibit show floors, as well as our many seminars and special events, attendees at the Chicago Gift & Home Market have access to the most comprehensive resources in one convenient location. We are proud to provide an environment that is so conducive to conducting business, and we are glad to see such great results for exhibitors and buyers alike,” said Joan Ulrich, vice president, Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc. (MMPI).
The showrooms and exhibitors echoed these sentiments. “This is the best summer market we have ever experienced. Buyers are upbeat and placing orders. The Saturday night event brought in a lot of buyers for us,” said Rhonda Langston, showroom manager, Aldik Artificial Flower Company, Inc.
“I really like how every time you turn the corner at the Chicago Gift & Home Market, you see something new and exciting. The show has a nice, intimate feeling to it,” said Guss Klein, Platinum Fragrance Designs.
“This is our third show in Chicago. Chicago is the only market we attend; we love the market and the buyers. The show makes it very easy for us to set up and work,” said Terry Opalek, exhibitor for Terry’s Toffee.
Buyers were excited to shop the newest resources making their debuts with ribbon-cuttings at the Chicago Gift & Home Market. These showrooms include Encore, Mills Floral, H2O Sales, Primitives by Kathy and Vera Bradley My Home. The Chicago Gift & Home Market is the exclusive home to the only licensed Vera Bradley My Home showroom in the country.
“This is my first time at the Chicago Gift & Home Market. I have found many unexpected items at this show. I like it because it is close, convenient and has a strong focus on accessories,” said Shelley Parlin, Parlin’s Furniture in Battle Creek, Mich.
The show’s added conveniences and special offers, such as $10 daily parking rates for buyers, contributed to the success of the market as well. “We’re very happy with the traffic at the show, and our number of orders is up, which makes for a good show. The parking program offered to buyers was a great incentive, and we appreciate all The Merchandise Mart is doing,” said Kris Basak, showroom manager, Pacific Rim.
Many exhibitors and showrooms were honored for their outstanding displays and exhibit spaces at the July 2005 Chicago Gift & Home Market. Temporary exhibitors receiving awards at the show were: Adventure Marketing for Beckman’s; Heart and Home for the Home Award; Cloud B for the Gift Award; Yan’s NY for What a Girl Wants; Terry’s Toffee for The Pantry; and K. Hall for Urban Chic. Showrooms receiving awards were: Kraft Klub for the 12th floor; Primitives by Kathy for the 13th floor; Encore Group for the 14th floor; and Kurt Kuker for the 15th floor.
As always, attendees at the Chicago Gift & Home Market enjoyed informative seminars and entertaining special events to enhance the market experience. The 8th Annual Summertime Block Party, benefiting Gift for Life, the gift and home industries supporting the American Foundation for AIDS Research (amfAR), was a wonderful success, despite the warmer than usual weather. Guests soaked up the sun as they enjoyed great food and drinks donated from more than a dozen area restaurants. The event raised $10,000 for amfAR.
Upcoming Chicago Gift & Home Market dates are:
Fall Chicago Gift & Home Market
Sept. 15-17, 2005 (in conjunction with the International Casual Furniture & Accessories Market, Sept. 14-17, 2005)
January Chicago Gift & Home Market
Jan. 18-25, 2006: Permanent Showrooms
Jan. 21-24, 2006: Temporary Exhibitors
Jan. 21-24, 2006: Beckman’s Handcrafted Gift Show Chicago
Spring Chicago Gift & Home Market
March 13-15, 2006: Permanent Showrooms
March 12-14, 2006: Housewares Show at McCormick Place
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).
MEDIA INQUIRIES ONLY:
Nicole Serr
Public Relations Account Executive
Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc.
Phone: 312.527.7841
E-mail: nserr@mmart.com
Joanna Mineau
Managing Director of Public Relations
Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc.
Phone: 312.527.7074
E-mail: jmineau@mmart.com
The Chicago Gift & Home Market is a trademark of Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc. (MMPI). Beckman’s Handcrafted Gift Show Chicago is a registered trademark of MMPI. The International Casual Furniture & Accessories Market is a trademark of 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 and 7 W New York in New York; the L.A. Mart in Los Angeles; and the Washington Design Center and Washington Office Center in 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.
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