“INDEPENDENTS’ DAY” AND THE 6TH ANNUAL GIFT FOR LIFE BENEFIT HIGHLIGHT THE SPECIAL EVENTS DURING THE JULY 2007 GIFT & HOME FURNISHINGS MARKET™
AT THE L.A. MART®, JULY 17-24, 2007
LOS ANGELES, CA (June 1, 2007) – The L.A. Mart® is the spot for groundbreaking events, education and, of course, the always anticipated 6th annual Gift for Life benefit during the Gift & Home Furnishings Market™ at the L.A. Mart, July 17-14, 2007.
Celebrate the power and importance of the independent retailer at the first-ever and only Independents’ Day. The L.A. Mart spotlights this essential retail base with cooperation from Gifts & Decorative Accessories, the Gift and Home Trade Association and the City of Los Angeles through a keynote presentation given by industry powerhouses Randy Eller and Mary Liz Curtin, with introductions by Gifts & Decorative Accessories Editor-in-Chief Maria Weiskott. Eller will present a candid and thought-provoking analysis of challenges facing independent retailers across America by Eller followed by an informative and amusing look at the first year in business at Leon & Lulu, the furniture, gift and accessory store Curtin and her husband opened in April 2006.
To cap off this exceptional day, the Gift for Life gala “Takin’ it to the Sea,” will be staged outdoors starting at 6 p.m. Enjoying its sixth year this July, a nautical, cruise-ship theme will entertain retail buyers, interior designers, showroom owners and managers, and VIP guests for some good times, hot sounds, cool libations and fabulous food -- in a humanitarian effort to help those living with HIV and AIDS. Another highlight to the evening will be the presentation of the proclamation of “Independent Retailers Day” by a representative of the Mayor’s office of the city of Los Angeles. This will honor the industry’s independent retailer and all independent retailers in Los Angeles.
Additionally, one of the biggest newly added buyer amenities is ‘Lunch with California Pizza Kitchen’ (CPK ) the worldwide leader in authentic California-style cuisine. CPK will serve delicious pizzas, sandwiches, soups and salads at this exclusive L.A. Mart satellite location. And, making its way back to the L.A. Mart this July is Infinity Spa, L.A.’s premier mobile day spa. This professionally staffed, on-site day spa with eight treatment rooms made a splash at the January Market and will continue to soothe and rejuvenate buyers in between appointments this July.
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS AND EVENTS:
Tuesday, July 17; 11 a.m.
“Getting into Corporate America and Staying There”
Presented by Vivian Shiffman, owner of Creative Gift Basket Services
Welcome to corporate America! Shiffman will teach you to get past the “gatekeeper,” write letters of introduction, make the corporate presentation and display tasting samples. Learn basket designs by particular industry, including mortgage, real estate, construction, legal and financial institutions. Get pointers on closing and delivering on the sale, then earning the repeat order.
Tuesday, July 17; 2 p.m.
“Secrets of a Prosperous Gift Basket Business”
Presented by Nayssan Parandeh, owner of Bespoke Boxes
Join Parandeh as she shares the secrets of a prosperous gift basket business: ensure each aspect of your business reflects your branded image; utilize multiple sales outlets and market each effectively; create and maintain business relationships for new business opportunities; provide quality customer service. Bespoke Boxes was recently named Los Angeles magazine’s top gift basket company.
Thursday, July 19; 2 p.m.
Presented by Paul Thompson, vice president creative, OneCoast
Join one of the industry’s leading visual merchandisers for this exciting seminar. Learn how to apply the five senses – sight, touch, smell, taste and sound – to redefine the retail experience. Paul Thompson will discuss using Extra Sensory Perception to achieve better displays, stronger merchandising and successful visual magic through understanding the emotional message your store conveys. He makes merchandising fun and his creative planning techniques are easily applied.
Friday, July 20; 11 a.m.
“Holiday Retail Display Ideas from the Professionals”
Presented by Margo Tantau, creative director, Midwest/Seasons and Colonial Candle
Be inspired by Midwest’s award-winning retail display ideas! Decorate wreaths and trees using ornaments in unique and unexpected ways. Create candlescapes in retail spaces for maximum visual appeal and sales impact. With more than 20 years’ experience, Tantau speaks from a retailer’s perspective, blending creative ideas and practical solutions.
Friday, July 20; 2 p.m.
“Exceed Your Customers’ Expectations Day After Day”
In today’s competitive marketplace, the satisfied customer is your best business strategy. Improve your bottom line through effective customer-driven strategies and innovative customer experience management tools. Define your customer's overall experience, create a culture of service excellence and turn your customers into your best advocates. Get your customers to say "WOW"!
Saturday, July 21; 9:30 a.m.
“Independents’ Day”
Presented by Randy Eller and Mary Liz Curtin, Introductions by Maria Weiskott, editor-in-chief of Gifts & Decorative Accessories
Join the L.A. Mart for this not-to-be-missed Market experience. First, Randy Eller will present, “Maximize Your Potential: Helping Independent Retailers Succeed and Thrive.” He will present a candid and thought-provoking analysis of today’s retail wars between big box chains and independent retailers across America. A compelling challenge to conventional thinking, this presentation will inspire you to reexamine your business model and stay competitive in today’s ever-changing global economy.
Next, Mary Liz Curtin will present, “Extreme Makeover: Retail Edition.” What happens when an industry veteran, experienced sales manager and “retail expert” actually owns and runs a store? She not only places orders but unloads trucks, opens boxes, deals with paperwork and pays the bills. Join Mary Liz Curtin for an informative and amusing look at the first year in business at Leon & Lulu, the furniture, gift and accessory store she and her husband opened April 1, 2006.
You will learn how Leon & Lulu is building its brand, publicizing the store and setting itself apart from the big boxes. She will also talk about their Web site and how they are using eBay® as part of their marketing strategy. Curtin will add tales of real-life rep and vendor stories and how she is working to make some of them, as much as she hates the term, “partners in business.”
Sunday, July 22; 11 a.m.
“A Shopkeeper’s Guide to Selling on eBay”
Presented by Mary Liz Curtin, retailer, writer and speaker
Let Curtin guide you on a step-by-step tour of selling on eBay, geared to the gift and home retailer. She will show you how to set up an account, list items, write descriptions and give you tips on what sells…and what doesn’t. She will also discuss eBay stores, marketing with eBay and how to use the world’s largest marketplace to increase your business!
MARKET WEEK AMENITIES:
Late Nite Shopping
Shop all the L.A. Mart has to offer on Friday, July 20 until 8 p.m. Hand passed cocktails and hors d’oeuvres on floors 1-10 from 6-8 p.m.
Celebrate Temporaries @ L.A. Mart! From Friday, July 20 to Monday, July 23, there will be complimentary hand-passed cocktails at 2 p.m. on the second floor.
One of the biggest newly added buyer amenities is ‘Lunch with California Pizza Kitchen’ (CPK ) the worldwide leader in authentic California-style cuisine. CPK will serve delicious pizzas, sandwiches, soups and salads at this exclusive L.A. Mart satellite location.
Infinity Spa
Rejuvenate tired feet or freshen up your manicure in one of Infinity Spa’s eight fully appointed treatment rooms. Massages, mini manicures and pedicures and more will be available by walk-in or appointment. Open 9 a.m-6 p.m. each Market day. For more information on treatments, pricing and how to schedule an appointment, please visit www.lamart.com (Click on “L.A. Mart” under “Properties”).
Lounge. At the L.A. Mart.
Located in Suite 720, the L.A. Mart’s luxurious buyers lounge is the spot to relax, get away from the crowds or just take care of business. Lounge. At the L.A. Mart. will feature a business center with computers, Internet access, fax and copy machine, complimentary refreshments all day, a cash bar offering wine, beer and mixed drinks from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. daily and contests to win showroom merchandise. Lounge. At the L.A. Mart. is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Transportation
In keeping with the L.A. Mart’s goal of providing an overall seamless, convenient buyer experience during the Gift & Home Furnishings Market, there will be free intervenue shuttles between the L.A. Mart and the California Gift Show at the L.A. Convention Center from Friday, July 20-Monday, July 23. There is also free buyer and designer parking in the south and east
parking lots while space permits and free taxi rides to and from Union Station. Morning and evening shuttle service will be provided from Tuesday, July 17-Tuesday, July 24 between the L.A. Mart and all downtown host hotels.
Welcome Station and The Snack Spot
Start the day of shopping with complimentary coffee, water and donuts, served at the main lobby Welcome Station each morning starting at 8:30 a.m. The Snack Spot will offer buyers complimentary pick-me-up snacks and water throughout the day.
SHOW HOURS:
Tuesday, July 17-Tuesday, July 24: 9 a.m.–6 p.m.
Friday, July 20: 6 a.m.-8 p.m. Late Nite Shopping
PRESS CONTACTS:
Claire Weingarden Nancy Joseph
Public Relations Manager N. Joseph Marketing Communications
Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc. Phone: 310.305.0230
Phone: 312.527.7790 E-mail: nancy@njoseph.com
E-mail: cweingarden@mmart.com
The L.A. Mart is a registered trademark of Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc. (MMPI). The Gift & Home Furnishings Market is a trademark of MMPI.
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 and 350 W. Mart Center 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 Boston Design Center in Boston; the L.A. Mart in Los Angeles; and the Washington Design Center and Federal Center Southwest 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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