NEW YORK (Sept. 2, 2005) -- The Architectural Digest Home Design Show returns to New York City’s Pier 94 for its fifth year, March 9 - 12, 2006, and the new trio at the helm has great expectations. Their faces are familiar at Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc. (MMPI), where they have collectively accumulated 30 years of experience with the tradeshow powerhouse, and have managed, marketed and leased some of the biggest trade and consumer shows in the country.
Newly appointed vice president and show director Troy Durst, director of leasing Troy Hanson and director of marketing Megan Reilly all have different experiences and capabilities, but they all are focused on one thing; making 2006 the most successful year yet as they immerse themselves in the New York architecture and design scene to deliver inspiring, unparalleled design to show attendees.
Durst, employed with MMPI since 1985, began at the Washington Design Center in Washington, D.C. and relocated to The Merchandise Mart in Chicago in 1997 to handle tradeshow operations. He will oversee both sales and marketing initiatives for the show.
Hanson, who played an integral part in launching the Architectural Digest Home Design Show, has key relationships with the New York design community, proving a great asset to the show. He has returned to assume the position of director of leasing for the show and will be based in New York.
Reilly was previously marketing director of NeoCon West, MMPI's exposition and conference for commercial furnishings where she launched the very popular West Edge, a design competition and exhibit sponsored by Interior Design magazine in Los Angeles. Reilly also has extensive relationships with the design trade associations. As marketing director, she will focus on outreach and exposure for the show and will be based in New York.
The four-day Architectural Digest Home Design Show will feature the newest trends in home furnishings, from outdoor living to kitchen and bath products, and will offer complimentary design consultations and free seminars to attendees. In its fourth year, the show attracted 22,000 people who shopped for elegant furnishings and home accessories, watched cooking demonstrations and attended book signings with leading authors.
While previous shows have been hugely successful with exhibitors reporting on-site transactions in the six- and seven-figure range, 2006 promises to be even bigger with new components like home office and Studio 94, which highlight young, up-and-coming designers. The new team also has implemented an improved layout and enhanced design of the feature areas.
The show has an 83 percent renewal rate so far and Hanson is pleased with the new commitments from key brands that have been watching the show closely the past few years. Thanks to aggressive marketing and expanded opportunities for the design trade, the 2006 Architectural Digest Home Design Show is expected to be the largest event to date with an expected attendance of more than 25,000.
MMPI and Architectural Digest, along with co-sponsor The New York Times, invite design professionals and consumers to experience the latest in home design from nearly 300 high-end exhibitors at the fifth Architectural Digest Home Design Show at New York City’s Pier 94, located at 55th Street and 12th Avenue.
For more information, please visit www.merchandisemart.com or www.archdigesthomeshow.com or call 800.677.MART (6728). To participate, contact Troy Hanson at 212.644.0833 or thanson@mmart.com.
Media Inquiries Only:
Jackie Paulsen
Director of Public Relations
Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc.
Phone: 312.527.7555
E-mail: jpaulsen@mmart.com
Natalie Campbell
Public Relations Associate
Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc.
Phone: 312.527.7790
E-mail: ncampbell@mmart.com
Architectural Digest documents the real-life work of architects and interior designers across the globe to an affluent audience of 5.3 million readers each month. The magazine regularly features the work of critically acclaimed authors and photographers that present a “first look” at the homes of celebrities as well as leaders in the fields of entertainment, fashion, business, society, literature and the arts.
The New York Times Company (NYSE: NYT), a leading media company with 2001 revenues of $3.0 billion, publishes The New York Times, The Boston Globe and 16 other newspapers; owns eight network-affiliated television stations and two New York radio stations; and has more than 40 Web sites, including NYTimes.com and Boston.com. In 2002 the Company was ranked No. 1 in the publishing industry in Fortune's list of America's Most Admired Companies. Among all 530 companies on the list, the Company ranked No. 1 in quality of products/services and No.1 in social responsibility. The Company's core purpose is to enhance society by creating, collecting and distributing high-quality news, information and entertainment.
Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc. (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, 350 W. Mart 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 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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