THE FIRST-EVER INDEPENDENTS’ DAY, HARD-HITTING PRESENTATIONS, UNIQUE NEW PRODUCTS AND THE SIXTH ANNUAL GIFT FOR LIFE BENEFIT HIGHLIGHTED THE JULY 2007 GIFT & HOME FURNISHINGS MARKET™ AT THE L.A. MART®
LOS ANGELES (July 31, 2007) — The July 2007 Gift & Home Furnishings Market™ at the L.A. Mart® was the place to be with buyers, showrooms and manufacturers all reporting a very positive market experience. The independent retailer was the focus of this Market, with a keynote presentation by industry powerhouses Mary Liz Curtin and Randy Eller, with introductions by Gifts & Decorative Accessories’ Maria Weiskott and an official proclamation from the Mayor of Los Angeles announcing July 21 as Independent Retailers’ Day in the city.
This Market boasted 22 ribbon cuttings for new and expanded showrooms, several showrooms celebrating their anniversaries, the successful return of Temptations at Temporaries @ L.A. Mart and multiple high-impact seminars. The Market’s undisputed highlight was the 6th Annual Gift for Life Benefit, “Takin’ it to the Sea,” which raised close to $35,000 for amfAR and entertained some 600 retailers, designers, exhibitors and tenants.
Featuring fresh, exclusive products, the L.A. Mart offered something for everyone.
“The July Gift & Home Furnishings Market at the L.A. Mart was the spot to shop the most prominent lines in the gift industry,” said Michael Kessler, vice president and general manager of the L.A. Mart. “From the beautiful new showrooms to the wide selection of new products and unparalleled amenities, the L.A. Mart continues to be the West Coast’s top marketplace for gift and home furnishings.”
Highlights Included:
Independents’ Day
Market attendees celebrated the power and importance of the independent retailer at the first-ever Independents’ Day keynote presentation given by industry powerhouses Randy Eller and Mary Liz Curtin, with introductions by Gifts & Decorative Accessories Editor-in-Chief Maria Weiskott. Independents’ Day was an explosive dialogue on the ever-changing global economy, offering the independent retailer insights and tools on how to stay vital and healthy in this evolving economy.
Gift For Life Benefit
Demonstrating its ongoing commitment and support to the American Foundation for AIDS Research (amfAR), the L.A. Mart teamed up with the finest gift, decorative and accessory and furniture showrooms on the West Coast to host “Takin’ It To Sea,” the sixth annual fundraising event for Gift For Life (GFL). Retail buyers, manufacturers, interior designers, showroom owners and managers and VIP guests came together for a cruise ship-themed evening Saturday, July 21,
2007 and enjoyed fabulous food and hot sounds while contributing to a good cause. A presentation of the “Independent Retailers’ Day” proclamation was made by a representative of the Mayor’s Office.
New Products
The L.A. Mart continues to be the preeminent marketplace for the gift and home furnishings industry, offering a variety of cutting-edge new products. Buyers were more than impressed with the L.A. Mart’s selection of fresh, new merchandise at the July Market.
“This Market we have seen lots of new things, lots of new products,” said buyer Brenda Franklin of Tipton Stationery Gifts, Manteca, California.
Temporaries.
Temporaries @ L.A. Mart welcomed numerous new and returning exhibitors including: Demdaco, Umbra, THT Designs, Keena, Kraft Klub, Bassman-Blaine and Golden Sales. Temptations, at Temporaries @ L.A. Mart, celebrated its one-year anniversary and has become an L.A. Mart mainstay, featuring decadent lifestyle products designed to tempt the senses.
Special Events
While buying was the first priority during Market, the L.A. Mart offered several special events and amenities for buyers and showrooms alike, in addition to the spectacular Independents’ Day celebration and the always-enjoyable Gift For Life Benefit.
On Tuesday, Vivian Shiffman, owner of Creative Gift Basket Services, presented Getting into Corporate America and Staying There, where she taught buyers how to get past the “gatekeeper,” Also on Tuesday, Nayssan Parandeh, owner of Bespoke Boxes presented Secrets if a Prosperous Gift Basket Business, where she offered advice on how to utilize multiple sales outlets and market each effectively. On Thursday, Visual Magic – Sensory Perception + Inspiration was presented by OneCoast Vice President Creative, Paul Thompson. Thompson discussed using Extra Sensory Perception to achieve better displays, stronger merchandising and successful visual magic. On Friday, Margo Tantau, creative director of Midwest/Seasons of Cannon Falls and Colonial Candle, presented Holiday Retail Display Ideas from the Professionals. Tantau helped buyers discover how to decorate wreaths and trees using ornaments in unique and unexpected ways. Also on Friday, Exceed Your Customers’ Expectations Day After Day was presented by Barbara Wold, international speaker, author and business strategist. On Sunday, Mary Liz Curtin packed a room full of buyers wanting to learn how to incorporate an e-commerce strategy into their business plans.
Amenities
In keeping with the L.A. Mart’s goal of providing an overall relaxing shopping experience during the Gift & Home Furnishings Market, buyers enjoyed a variety of world-class amenities this July. From convenient transportation to the spacious Buyers Lounge, the L.A. Mart kept market attendees comfortable and satisfied.
“The L.A. Mart is hands-down the most accommodating to buyers than any U.S. gift market!" said Frank Schipano, senior buyer, Wynn Las Vegas.
Infinity Spa returned to the Gift & Home Furnishings Market, offering buyers a wide menu of spa services, including massages, mini manicures, and pedicures. Market attendees rejuvenated their tired feet and freshened up their manicures in Infinity Spa’s eight fully appointed treatment rooms from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. each Market day.
‘Lunch with California Pizza Kitchen’ (CPK), one of the biggest newly added buyer amenities, served Market attendees delicious pizzas, sandwiches, soups and salads at the exclusive L.A. Mart satellite location.
The Snack Spot offered buyers complimentary pick-me-up snacks and water all day, every day of Market. The Welcome Station helped buyers start their days with complimentary coffee, water and donuts, every day beginning at 8:30 a.m.
Showroom News
With more than 724,000-sq.ft. of space across 13 floors, the L.A. Mart and its approximately 300 showrooms continues to attract important industry names to its already impressive roster of showrooms. The July 2007 Gift & Home Furnishings Market at the L.A. Mart boasted a number of prominent showroom openings and expansions. New showrooms include Antigua Home Décor (Suite 1011), Aria International Rug (Suite LL44), Barbara Sinner (Suite 369), Design Imports (Suite 550), Innova Fine Furniture (Suite 110), Joan Baker Designs (Suite 902), Joy to the World Collectibles (Suite 551), Malden International Designs (Suite 370), Russ Berrie U.S. (Suite 420), and Soleil de Provence (Suite 867). Expanded showrooms included Fitz & Floyd, Inc. (Suite 705), OneCoast West Gift (Suite 560), and Toyology (Suite 446).
SAVE THE DATE:
January 2008
Tuesday, Jan. 15 - Monday, Jan. 21
With Temporaries Friday, Jan. 18 - Monday Jan. 21
Spring 2008
Sunday, March 16 - Tuesday, March 18
July 2008
Tuesday, July 15 - Monday, July 21
With Temporaries Friday, July 18 - Monday, July 21
Fall 2008
Sunday, Sept 14 - Tuesday, Sept. 16
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 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 West 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, owners 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.
###