FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THE L.A. MART’S® FALL GIFT & HOME FURNISHINGS MARKET™
BRINGS VAST RESOURCES TO THE WEST COAST MARKETPLACE
For three days, from Sept. 19-21, 2004, retailers and designers
will experience the best the industry has to offer, all under one roof.
LOS ANGELES (July 20, 2004) – The upcoming Fall Gift & Home Furnishings Market™ at the L.A. Mart,® September 19-21, 2004, gives buyers from all over the globe the opportunity to see new product and stock their stores before the busy holiday season. While at the Market, buyers and designers can take advantage of complimentary programs and educational seminars relevant to the industry, as well as see the best of new product trends.
The L.A. Mart has established itself as the region’s number one wholesale destination, making it an ideal forum for the Gift Market. With an unparalleled product mix, the L.A. Mart offers buyers a comprehensive selection of gift, decorative accessory and furniture showrooms featuring thousands of name-brand and specialty lines. National manufacturers such as Filbert & Fig; NCE; Quality Lines; Andrea by Sadek; K&K Interiors, Inc.; Cottage Tradeworks; Enesco Home and Garden; and Tizo are among those lines contributing to the diverse product selection offered at the L.A. Mart.
In addition to the new Market resources being introduced, the L.A. Mart presents Market attendees with amenities including a helpful staff, a morning welcome station, a buyers’/designers’ lounge and Internet café, free parking, travel services and easy registration.
“The L.A. Mart continues to implement building and show improvements that maximize our buyers’ experiences here,” said Michelle Ovalle, director of marketing, gift, L.A. Mart. “With each Market we seek to enhance buyers’ experience with relevant activities, networking events and seminars. Combined with our vast product resources and the strong buying opportunities they offer, we’ve positioned this Market to be a must-attend event.”
MARKET EVENTS:
New Product Display
Buyers and designers can preview the latest product innovations showcased in dramatic style within the L.A. Mart’s New Product Display in the Main Lobby.
Designer/Client Sunday
L.A. Mart offers designers and their preferred clients a special Sunday shopping event to preview the finest collection of home furnishings, decorative accessories and home accents on the West Coast.
Designers can shop an extensive selection of nationally renowned manufacturers including Bernhardt, Henredon, Century, Thomasville, Hickory Chair, Thomas O’Brien Collection and Maitland Smith as L.A. Mart’s furniture and accessory showrooms open their doors for this special one-day opportunity.
MARKET SERVICES:
Snack and Relax
Complimentary coffee and pastries will be served in the Main Lobby from 8:45-10:30 a.m. (while supplies last). In addition, attendees can stop by the Buyers’ and Designers’ Lounge/Internet Café to enjoy a free beverage while they go online, check their e-mails or make business calls.
Free Parking
The L.A. Mart and the L.A. Mart Gift Association are proud to provide complimentary parking each day of the Fall Gift & Home Furnishings Market. Attendees presenting proof of registered buyer or designer credentials will receive free parking valid only in the south and east parking lots (space permitting).
Metrolink – Free Rides from the L.A. Mart
Get a free ride to the L.A. Mart. Upon arrival, take advantage of our special deal with Yellow Cab. Look for a Yellow Cab representative to obtain a voucher to the L.A. Mart. Present the voucher at the
L.A. Mart management office, Suite 542, and receive another FREE voucher for the return ride to Union Station the same day. For a directional map and driving directions, visit www.lamart.com. For a train schedule, visit www.metrolinktrains.com.
Online Booking and Discounted Rates at www.lamart.com
Book airfare and hotel accommodations online with Mart Travel Services to receive instant confirmation. Users can access real-time hotel availability, view hotels, room types, pricing and amenities, as well as view a map of the city and hotel locations. Visit www.lamart.com to book online or contact a Mart Travel Services sales associate at 800.528.8700 (International 312.396.2001) between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. (CST).
Discounts of 10-60 percent off are offered on all United Airlines fares (some restrictions apply). Reservations also can be made through your own travel agent, or directly with United Airlines by calling 800.521.4041 and mentioning meeting ID# 596YA. United Airlines is the official carrier of the L.A. Mart. International callers please dial 312.527.1340.
Registration Made Easy
With a Mart Card, registration at the L.A. Mart is fast and easy. The card automatically registers buyers and designers for the Market, eliminating the need to complete forms and wait in line. They can simply tear off the attached Mart Card and put it in their wallet. The 2-D barcode contains all of their information. When scanned at the badging booth, badges will print automatically.
On-site Mart Card Requirements:
The L.A. Mart is a wholesale market open to professional buyers and designers in the retail and design industries. Acceptable credentials include one of each of the following:
* A copy of your resale or business license (Calif.-based companies must show a copy of resale license)
* Company insurance information
* Company invoices or canceled payroll check
* Personalized imprinted business card
* Company letterhead
ABOUT THE L.A. MART
The L.A. Mart is the largest permanent market center in the Western United States, with an unmatched combination in depth of lines, brand-name manufacturers and a variety of new and exciting trend products. Nearly 300 showrooms, encompassing 724,000 square feet on 13 floors of the L.A. Mart, are dedicated to showcasing a wide array of gift, decorative accessories, tabletop, stationery, collectibles, holiday, gourmet foods, floral, linens, paper products, bath & body, home décor, home furnishings, apparel, plush, children’s giftware and handcrafted products.
The L.A. Mart is located at 1933 South Broadway, Los Angeles, Calif., 90007, at the corner of Broadway and Washington Boulevard. For more information about the L.A. Mart, please call 800.LAMART.4 or visit www.lamart.com.
The L.A. Mart is a registered trademark of 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, 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.
MEDIA INQUIRIES ONLY:
Joanna Mineau
Director of Public Relations
Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc.
312.527.7074
###