FACT SHEET
Current as of 6/18/04
OFFICIAL SHOW NAME: The International Casual Furniture & Accessories Market™
SHOW LOCATION, DATES
AND TIMES: The Merchandise Mart, Chicago, Ill.
Sept. 18–22, 2004
Saturday–Monday, Sept. 18–20 • 8 a.m.–6 p.m.
Tuesday, Sept. 21 • 8 a.m.–8 p.m.
Wednesday, Sept. 22 • 8 p.m.–Noon
AND MANAGER: Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc. (MMPI)
Suite 470 The Merchandise Mart
Chicago, Ill. 60654
NET SHOW SPACE: more than 168,000 square feet of permanent space and more than 130,000 square feet
of temporary exhibit space.
PRODUCT REPRESENTED: Wrought iron/aluminum, cast metal/combination, rattan/wicker/woven materials,
resin/fiberglass, wood casual furniture, dining tables and umbrellas, hammocks, outdoor
lighting, outdoor accessories/statues/fountains, outdoor bars, barbecues, pool & spa
accessories, tubular materials and much more.
AND EXHIBITS: New Product Gallery
The New Product Gallery returns to showcase the latest in casual furniture and
accessory trends for the 2005 season — conveniently located on the 1st floor North
Lobby of The Mart.
Chicago Gift & Home Market™
Sept. 18–20, 2004
The Merchandise Mart, floors 12, 13, 14 and 15
Product offerings include accessories, accent furnishings, apparel, bath & body,
children’s giftware and products, collectibles, crafts, floral, garden, general gift, gourmet
foods, holiday, home décor, home furnishings, linens, paper products, plush, stationery
and tabletop.
EXPECTED NUMBER OF
EXHIBITS: Approximately 300 exhibiting manufacturers in the casual furniture and casual
accessories industries.
EXPECTED ATTENDANCE: Approximately 7,000
ATTENDEE PROFILE: The Chicago Casual Market is open to the trade only. Attendees include specialty casual
furniture retailers, home furnishings retailers, pool and spa retailers, garden center
retailers, hearth and fireplace retailers, cataloguers, hardware stores, discount/mass
merchandisers, gift and decorative accessory retailers, and interior designers.
EDUCATIONAL SEMINARS: A comprehensive lineup of complimentary, educational seminars presented by industry
leaders from Sunday–Tuesday. Free lunch will be served at noon before each
This year’s seminar topics are:
Sunday, Sept. 19, 2004
Designing Out: The Home Lifestyle Report
Ted Gramkow, Garden Design magazine • Sponsored by Garden Design magazine
12:30–1:30 p.m. • Seminar • 8th floor, Conference Room E
Monday, Sept. 20, 2004
Outdoor Decorating: The New Frontier
Joe Ruggiero, Joe Ruggiero & Associates
12:30–1:30 p.m. • Seminar • 8th floor, Conference Room C
Auditioning for High Morale: How to Hire a Motivated Workforce
Carol A. Hacker, Carol A. Hacker & Associates
12:30–1:30 p.m. • Seminar • 8th floor, Conference Room E
Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2004
Turning a Sales Flyer into a Sales Happening!
Tom Shay, Profits Plus Seminars
12:30–1:30 p.m. • Seminar • 8th floor, Conference Room C
Why Are They Walking Out Without Buying? … The Art of Closing the Sale
Rick Segal, Rick Segal & Associates
12:30–1:30 p.m. • Seminar • 8th floor, Conference Room E
SPECIAL EVENTS: Welcome Party
Saturday, Sept. 18 • 6–8 p.m.
South Lobby, The Merchandise Mart, 1st floor
Special musical guests: The Afrodisiacs!
Design Excellence Awards presented at the Welcome Party at 6:30 p.m.
Design Excellence Presentation
Saturday, Sept.18 • 6:30 p.m.
South Lobby, The Merchandise Mart, 1st floor
Annual Market Party – Co-sponsored by Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc.,
Casual Living magazine and Brown Jordan International
Sunday, Sept. 19, 2004 • 6 to 8 p.m.
Joe’s Sports Bar, 940 West Weed Street
*Market badge required • Free trolley service available from The Mart’s South Drive
CFR Membership Breakfast/Manufacturer Leadership Awards
Monday, Sept. 20, 2004 • 7:30 to 9 a.m.
Wolf Point Ballroom, 15th floor • Holiday Inn at The Merchandise Mart
45th Annual Apollo Awards
Monday, Sept. 20, 2004 • 6:30 p.m.
Navy Pier Grand Ballroom • By invitation only
Market Cocktail Reception
Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2004 • 6–8 p.m.
On show floors 2, 8, 16 and 17
Sponsored by Agio International and Hearth & Home magazine
PRESS INQUIRIES ONLY:
Elizabeth D. Cooley
Public Relations Manager
Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc.
Phone: 312.527.7555
E-mail: ecooley@mmart.com
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, 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 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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