The City of Los Angeles Proclaims July 21, 2007, “Independents’ Day”
Celebrate During the July 2007 Gift & Home Furnishings Market at the L.A. Mart, July 17-24
Keynote Presentation by Industry Powerhouses Randy Eller and Mary Liz Curtin
LOS ANGELES, CA (May 14, 2007) – The upcoming July 2007 Gift & Home Furnishings Market at the L.A. Mart® will celebrate the independent retailer like never before. To truly honor this significant segment of the retail market, Saturday, July 21 will de dedicated to the independent retailer, with special programming throughout the day and an evening presentation of the “Independent Retailers’ Day” proclamation will be made by Los Angeles Mayor’s Office at the 6th Annual Gift for Life Benefit “Takin’ it to the Sea.”
Independents’ Day begins with an explosive presentation on the ever-changing global economy, offering the independent retailer insights and tools on how to stay vital and healthy in this evolving economy. Randy Eller, former president of CBK, will present, “Maximize Your Potential: Helping Independent Retailers Succeed and Thrive.” His candid and thought-provoking analysis of today’s retail wars between big box chains and independent retailers across America will offer a compelling challenge to conventional thinking. This presentation will inspire independent retailers to reexamine their business model and offer strategies to stay competitive. Eller shares secrets that will better prepare the independent retailer to weather the storm.
Mary Liz Curtin will offer an equally compelling yet markedly different spin on how to succeed as an independent retailer. Curtin’s “Extreme Makeover: Retail Edition” offers an amusing look at her first year in business at Leon & Lulu, the furniture, gift and accessory store she and her husband opened April 1, 2006. Curtin shares what happens when an industry veteran, experienced sales manager and “retail expert” becomes an entrepreneur. She shares her branding strategy, publicity campaign secrets, on-line marketing plan and how to utilize eBay® all in an effort to differentiate her business from the big box retailers.
“We are honored to bring Randy and Mary Liz together for this unique program at the L.A. Mart,” said Michael Kessler, vice president and general manager of the L.A. Mart. “The industry’s focus on independent retailers is critical nationally and in particular on the West Coast. Their future is our future and we are committed to supporting their health and long-term success.”
Introductions will be made by Gifts & Decorative Accessories Editor-in-Chief Maria Weiskott. The keynote is presented by the Gift & Home Trade Association and the L.A. Mart and begins at 9:30 a.m. on July 21, 2007.
The newly proclaimed “Independent Retailers Day” in Los Angeles extends into the night under the stars at the 6th Annual Gift for Life Gala, “Takin’ it to the Sea.” A special presentation of the proclamation will be made by a representative of the Mayor’s office of the City of Los Angeles and will honor the industry’s independent retailer and all independent retailers in Los Angeles.
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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