THE JULY 2004 GIFT & HOME FURNISHINGS MARKET™ AT THE L.A. MART®
DRAWS RECORD CROWDS WITH UNPARALLELED EXHIBITORS AND SELECTION
LOS ANGELES (July 30, 2004) – Exhibiting companies participating in the July 2004 Gift & Home Furnishings Market,™ July 13-20 at the L.A. Mart,® experienced a significant increase in attendance from the January 2004 Market. An increase in showroom traffic yielded qualified buyers — including major national retailers — writing high-dollar orders according to several permanent showroom spokespersons. Increased traffic was due in part to a recent influx of new resources added to the Market. “We had 11 new showrooms open, nine tenant expansions and 19 lease renewals since January 2004,” according to Gerry Seibel, L.A. Mart’s vice president and general manager. “We’ve seen an overwhelming response to the 2nd floor temporary exhibitors at the July Market. The floor was sold out, and the high-quality exhibitors there attracted a record crowd.”
Temporaries @ L.A. Mart, a 50,000-square-foot collection of temporary exhibit space on the building’s 2nd floor, debuted at the January 2004 Market and marked the first time in 50 years that the L.A. Mart had an exclusive temporary trade show floor. From Friday, July 16 to Monday, July 19, buyers shopped nearly 100 temporary exhibitors, adding to the already expansive product selection offered throughout the building. Daily events and parties on the 2nd floor offered attendees complimentary food and drinks as well as opportunities to network.
“I had a fantastic show, and even if I hadn’t, I’d still come back to the Temporaries @ L.A. Mart,” said exhibitor, Adam Malovani of Malovani Designs. “The spaces are exceptional and the staff is unbeatable.” According to Helena Honovich of Terra Traditions, the Temporaries provide a professional place to show product. “I really like exhibiting here … the enclosed spaces make this feel more like a permanent space,” said Honovich. “It doesn’t have a ‘temporary’ feel.” Artist Suzanne Barber chose the Temporaries to introduce her new business to the industry. “I came to this Market because I’m just getting my business started and thought the temporary spaces would be a great place to gain exposure,” said Barber. “I’ve noticed people from the permanent showroom floors coming to check us out and look around.”
According to Margaret Powers, director of leasing, L.A. Mart, the energy and vibrant selling atmosphere created on the show floors are responsible for attracting the best buyers the L.A. marketplace has to offer. “The Party’s on the 2nd Floor provided a fantastic way to keep the energy going and the buyers engaged and enthusiastic.”
A wide array of events took place during the Market offering exhibitors and buyers multiple opportunities to meet, talk, relax and do business. “The promotional events were great and very effective in keeping the buyers here and the Market going well into the evening,” said temporary exhibitor Jim Wagner of Charles & Charles. Events like Late Nite Shopping on Friday, July 16, offered hand-passed drinks, food and entertainment.
Buyers attending the Market noted ease-of-registration, convenient lobby layout, free parking and Welcome Station breakfasts, and ample building staff as positives throughout their buying trips. Additionally, the diverse range of high-quality product and merchandise allowed them the ease of one-stop shopping. Other amenities for buyers included everything from free snack stations on each floor and pertinent seminars to an Internet Café with complimentary computer stations, and free shuttles between downtown Los Angeles hotels, parking garages and the convention center. New showrooms such as Andrea by Sadek, NCE and K&K Interiors, also contributed to the L.A. Mart’s attendance growth.
“There is a broad span of buyers — a lot of interior designers, reps from spas and many other types, “ said Shirley Chen of the Plush Living showroom. “We’ve gotten great responses from designers attending the Market. The advantage of being here is that high-profile buyers stop in even if they are going to other showrooms for appointments. We are just starting out and this Market has been really great for us.”
The Gift for Life Party on Saturday night – L.A. Mart’s 3rd annual “Takin’ it to the Street” fundraiser benefiting Gift for Life/amfAR – was one of the highlights of the Market. More than 500 buyers, designers, showroom management and sales representatives, city officials and corporate and community partners were in attendance. More than $30,000 was raised in net cash sponsorships, ticket sales and from the silent auction, exceeding funds generated in 2003. To date, “Takin’ it to the Street” has raised more than $75,000 in net proceeds for amfAR. CBK, Ltd. served as presenting sponsor, joining other new and returning showroom and vendor sponsors. Randy Eller and CBK were presented with the L.A. Mart’s Gift for Life Recognition Award, which was accepted by CBK’s Terry Stewart, and L.A. Mart showrooms, vendors, friends and community partners donated more than 150 silent auction items.
The Gift & Home Furnishings Market at the L.A. Mart continues to earn its reputation as the premier West Coast destination for gift and home furnishings, featuring a comprehensive collection of brand-name and specialty merchandise throughout 13 floors. “I love coming to the L.A. Mart,” said buyer/designer Linda Malmquist of Classic Cottage Designs. “I always bring clients and they love it here as well … I do most of my business here.” According to Sophie Bertet, a buyer with Solo Paris, the L.A. Mart is her one-stop-shopping destination. “I love the registration system — it is so nice and easy and much better than other locations,” said Bertet. “I’m just so happy to be here — the L.A. Mart is such a great shopping destination.”
ABOUT THE L.A. MART
As the pre-eminent West Coast location for buyers and designers to source the finest gifts, home décor, furniture and lifestyle merchandise, the L.A. Mart, in business since 1956, is the largest permanent market center in the Western United States. With nearly 300 showrooms and thousands of product lines encompassed in over 724,000 square feet of market space, the L.A. Mart is the incomparable must-see resource for buyers and designers who visit Los Angeles. The L.A. Mart is centrally located in the heart of the new Furniture & Decorative Arts District, at 1933 South Broadway, Los Angeles, California, 90007, at the corner of Broadway and Washington Boulevard.
For more information about the L.A. Mart or to register for upcoming markets and events, visit www.merchandisemart.com (click on L.A. Mart under “Properties”) or call 1-800-LAMART-4.
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, 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 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
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