Winter Market Highlights

Spotlight on the winter markets in January: Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Portland, Los Angeles and Philadelphia.

By Staff -- Gifts and Dec, 12/1/2008 12:00:00 AM

Atlanta

Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market

January 6–14: showrooms

January 9–13: temporaries

Atlanta International Area Rug Market

January 7–12

AmericasMart Atlanta

(800) ATL-MART

www.americasmart.com

Show Producer: AMC Inc.

Show Hours: Permanent showrooms, 9 a.m.–6 p.m.; Breakfast club, January 9–11, 8 a.m. opening. Shop late nights, January 9–10, 8 p.m. closing. Temporaries: January 9–12, 9 a.m.– 6 p.m., January 13, 9 a.m.–3 p.m.

Travel Arrangements: Call Ambassadors at (800) 241-6405 for hotel reservations or book online at https://rms.ambassadors.com/show/americasmart/. Click on AmericasMart.com/Travel/Air_Travel to earn 5% off select coach fares or call (800) 455-2720 and refer to code DP2C. For AirTran, call (866) 683-8368 and refer to Event Code: AmericasMart09 for a 10% discount.

Market Highlights:

• Building 2 West Wing Debut adding 1.5 million sq. ft. of space.

• The Gardens moves to Building 2 West Wing and is redefined as Living. Outdoor/Indoor. The Gardens.

• Temporary exhibits expand and relocate — Building 1: Europe's Finest (fl. 1); Area Rugs; Furniture & Case Goods (fl. 2); High Country Lodge, Home Accents (fl. 7); Distinctly American, Home Accents (fl. 8); Fine Linens & Home Textiles (fl. 10). Building 2: License & Design, a new category (fl. 3). Building 2 WestWing: High Design (Juried Collection) (fl. 1); Gourmet (fl. 2); Coastal Lifestyles; Garden Products (fl. 3); Collegiate Products; Souvenir, Resort & Novelty Gifts (fl. 4). Building 3: Cash & Carry Jewelry, Halloween, Holiday, Floral, Baskets (fl. 1); Handcrafted Design (Juried Collection), Housewares; Tabletop & Fine Gifts (fl. 2); Children's World; CGTA Style (fl. 3); Body & Soul, Boutique (Juried Collection), Down to Business, Jewelry & Fashion Accessories, Write on! (fl. 4); General Gifts, Inspirational Gifts, Pampered Pets (fl. 5)

Special Events

• Scheduled appearances by Colin Cowie, Barry Dixon and celebrity chefs. Showroom have artist demos and signings. Visit www.americasmart.com for many listings.

• Ribbon Cutting for Safavieh Couture with Wine reception and meet the designers. 4:30 - 6 p.m. Thursday, January 8. Safavieh showroom. AM1

• America's Magnificent Carpets Awards 2008. Cocktails, buffet and live entertainment. Saturday, January 10. 5:30 p.m. Marriott Marquis.

AmericasMart University

Unless otherwise noted, courses will take place in Building 2 West Wing.

Thursday, January 8

• Explode Your Sales — Marketing Ideas That Will Blow Your Mind. 8:30–10 a.m. Buying & Selling Beginner. Presenter: Bob Negen.

• Electronic Marketing — Easier, Cheaper, Better! 10:30 a.m.–noon. Building Your Brand Beginner. Presenter: Bob Negen.

• Strategies in Developing an Exceptional Souvenir Business. 8:30–10 a.m. Buying & Selling Beginner. Presenter: Cathy Fischer. 6th fl.

• Crash Course on Buying. 10:30 a.m.–noon. Buying & Selling Beginner. Presenter: Mercedes Gonzales. AM3, 3rd fl. Conf. Ctr.

• Training the Best Sales Team. 1:30–2:30 p.m. Retail Basics Beginner. Presenter: Mercedes Gonzales. AM3, 3rd fl. Conf. Ctr.

• Increasing Sales by Understanding the Value of Designer Rugs. 4–4:30 p.m. Buying & Selling Beginner. Presenters: Suzanne Kasler; Jamie Drake and David Easton. AM1. Safavieh showroom.

Friday, January 9

• Doing Business in the New Norm. 8:30–10 a.m. Retail Basics Beginner. Presenters: John Haste, Becky Smith.

• Where Have All the Customers Gone? 10:30–11:30 a.m. Building Your Brand Beginner. Presenter: Chris Lemley. AM3, 3rd fl. Conf. Ctr.

• Hiring & Firing Employees. 1:30–2:30 p.m. Retail Basics Beginner. Presenter: Carol Hacker. AM3, 3rd fl. Conf. Ctr.

• Unique & Antique Rug Forum. 3–5 p.m. Retail Basics Beginner. Call ORRA for details: (804) 270-3195; AM1, room 4-G-7

Saturday, January 12

• Walk the (Area Rug) Market with Phil. 11 a.m. Retail Basics Beginner. Presenter: Phil Menendian. AM1, 2nd fl., ORRA booth #1200

• Are You Sending Customers to Your Competition? 1 p.m. Retail Basics Beginner. Presenters: Steve Boodakian and Sy Mahfuz. AM1, suite 4-G-7

Portland

Portland Gift & Accessories Show

January 10–13

Oregon Convention Center

(800) 272-SHOW or (603) 665-7524

www.portlandgift.com

Show Producer: GLM, a dmg world media business

Show Hours: January 10–12, 9 a.m.– 6 p.m.; January 13, 9 a.m.–1 p.m.

Travel Arrangements: Travel Planners, (800) 221-3531 or (212) 532-1660; or email webres@tphousing.com or visit online: www.myGLMtravel.com.

Market Highlights: Show theme 'Naturally Portland' has a focus on artisan-based, eco-friendly and sustainably manufactured product.

Special Event

• Buyer & Exhibitor Reception. 6 p.m.Monday, January 12.

Seminars

Saturday, January 10

• Retail is Change. 1–2:15 p.m. Presenter: Lynn Switanowski-Barrettkind.

Sunday, January 11

• Going Green Gradually. Noon–

1:15 p.m. Presenter: Linda Cahan, visual expert and contributing editor, Gifts & Decorative Accessories.

• Building Employee Loyalty and Satisfaction. 3–4:15 p.m. Presenter: Linda Cahan.

Monday, January 12

• Image Based Merchandising. Noon–1:15 p.m. Presenter: Pam Pesetti

• The Details of Retail. 3–4:15 p.m. Presenter: Pam Pesetti

Chicago

The Chicago Market: Living & Giving

January 15–21

Beckman's handcrafted Gift Show

Market Suites Temporaries

StyleMax

January 17–20

Chicago Merchandise Mart

(800) 677-6278

www.merchandisemart.com

Show Producer: Merchandise Mart Properties Inc. (MMPI)

Show Hours: Floors 13–15, January 15–16 and 18–20, 9 a.m.–6 p.m.; January 17, 9 a.m.–8 p.m.; January 21, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Floors 8, 12, January 17–19, 9 a.m.–6 p.m.; January 20, 9 a.m.–3 p.m.

Travel Arrangements: Mart Travel Services, (800) 528-8700 or email marttravel@ttgonline.com

Market Highlights

• StyleMax, a women's clothing and accessories show, partners with The Chicago Market

• Beckman's Handcrafted Gift Show — features artists/designers and handcrafters who work in all media

• Lake Living — the lifestyle-inspired product focus defined by fresh-water living is highlighted

• Living and Giving: Green — Offers earth-friendly ideas, trends and products

• Market Square Chicago — a design destination featuring home accents

Dallas

Total Gift & Home Market Holiday & Home Expo

January 14–20

Intl. Lighting & Accessories Market

January 15–19

F!NDS; Holiday & Home Expo temporaries

January 16–19

Dallas Market Center

(800) DAL-MKTS

www.dallasmarketcenter.com

Show Producer: Dallas Market Center

Show Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Extended to 8 p.m., Friday, January 16

Travel Arrangements: Market Travel, (800) DAL-MKTS

Market Highlights

For a complete list of special events and seminar programs, log onto www.dallasmarketcenter.com

• The 20th Annual ARTS Awards. Saturday, January 17. The Grand Pavilion at the Trade Mart. Honors leaders in the field and pays tribute to Academy of Achievement award winner, Murray Feiss, chairman of Generation Brands. For tickets, contact Emily Forsythe at (214) 655-7635 or eforsythe@dmcmail.com. Ticket prices are $125 for ART members and $150 for non-members.

• Next Big Thing finalists exhibit their products in F!NDS and will be judged by trade and consumer press.

• “King Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of Pharaohs” exhibit at Dallas Museum of Art. Thursday, January 15. 6. p.m. $25, ticket price includes pre-exhibit food and beverage at WTC food court and shuttle transportation. To reserve, contact Shonda Conner, (214) 744-7442 or sconner@dmcmail.com.

• Keynote address “International Christmas Style.” Saturday, January 17. Jim Marvin, president of Jim Marvin Ents. 2 p.m. Marvin has designed Christmas trees for the White House.

• Grand openings of the new, expanded, remodeled and relocated showrooms: Daniel Richards (TM 2135), KAM & Company (TM 2331), Lampe Berger (TM 2810), Maharani (TM 2749), Mario & Associates, (TM 2731); and Reed & Barton (TM 1204). Enesco moves to TM 1600.

• Seminar: Training for Lighting Buyers. Thursday–Saturday, January 15–17. Given by the American Lighting Assn. For a list of courses go to www.americanlightingassoc.com or call (800) 605-4448.

• Shop Late 'til 8. Friday, January 18

Los Angeles

California Gift Show

January 16–19

Los Angeles Convention Ctr.

(800) 272-SHOW (7469) or (213) 430-2300

www.californiagiftshow.com

Show Producer: George Little Mgmt., a dmg world media company

Show Hours: 9 a.m.–6 p.m., January 16–18; 9 a.m.–4 p.m., January 19

Travel Arrangements: Travel Planners, (800) 221-3531 or (212) 532-1660 for hotels and car rentals.

Special Events

• Product Theater: “FLAUNT.” Fashion, dance and products choreographed by Danny Teeson. Noon and 3:30 p.m., Friday–Sunday, January 16–18, and noon, Monday, January 19.

Seminars

Friday, January 16

• Retail by Design: A Blueprint to Successful Lifestyle Merchandising. 1:30 p.m. Presenter: Melissah Haberstroh, contributing editor, Gifts & Decorative Accessories

Saturday, January 17

• How to Prosper During a Slow Economy. 10 a.m. Presenter: Barbara Wold

• Trends for the Generations: Baby

Boomers, Gen X and Gen Y. 1:30 p.m. Moderater: Liezel Munez Gunn.

Sunday, January 18

• Are you You Tubing, Facebooking, Twittering and Flikring your Way to New Customers. 10 a.m. Presenter: Lynn Switanowski

• Website 101. 1:30 p.m. The Basics: Roseann Duran. The Details of Retail: Pam Pesetti

L.A. Mart Gift & Home Furnishings Market

January 13–19

Temporaries at the L.A. Mart

January 16–19

The L.A. Mart

(213) 763-5800 or (800) 526-2784

www.lamart.com

Show Producer: Merchandise Mart Properties (MMPI)

Show Hours: January 13–15 and 17–20, 9 a.m.–6 p.m., January 16, 9 a.m.–8 p.m.

Travel Arrangements: Mart Travel Services, (800) 528-8700 or email marttravel@ttgonline.com

Market Highlights

• Every floor is themed to a movie and will feature related food, décor and entertainment. Each day, the specified movie will show in the elevator lobby. Between 2–4 p.m. each day, the lobby will become a mini-party.

• Late Nite Shopping with party atmosphere. Friday, January 16.

Seminar

Friday, January 16

• Merchandise Like a Pro. Noon. Presenter: Michelle Teele.

Showroom Events

Wednesday, January 14

• Robert Rothschild Farm Tasting.

11 a.m.–3 p.m. Presenter: Jim Hubbard at Gus Dallas Ltd., suite 870.

Friday, January 16

• Meet & Greet: Alfredo Garcia-Lucio, creative director/co-owner of Parasol. 2 p.m. At Home Sweet Home, suite 405. Cake and champagne will be served.

• Cookbook Seminar and Signing. 5 p.m. Presenter: Diane Rossen Worthington at Stephen Young, suite 830.

• Pink's Weenies & Bellinis. 6 p.m. At Flemming-Chalef, suite 846.

Saturday, January 17

• Woodstock Chimes 30th Anniversary. 10 a.m. At OneCoast, suite 560.

• Product Launch Party. 1 p.m. Joy to the World Collectibles, suite 551.

Philadephia

Philadelphia Gift Show

January 17–20

Greater Philadelphia Expo Center

100 Station Avenue, Oaks, PA

(678) 370-0329

www.urban-expo.com

Show Producer: Urban Expositions

Show Hours: January 17–19, 9 a.m.– 6 p.m.; January 20, 9 a.m.–3 p.m.

Travel Arrangements: For discounted hotels visit www.giftshowhotels.com

Special Event

• Show Party. 6:15 p.m. Sunday, January 18.

Seminars

Saturday, January 17

• Is Retailing Success Really Possible Today? Let's Count the Ways! 9:30–10:30 a.m. Presenter: Marilyn Nason.

• Gift Baskets: Spring into Sales Now. 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Presenter: Shirley Frazier

Sunday, January 18

• Strategies and Tactics for Business Success. 9:30–10:30 a.m. Presenter: Margie Johnson

• Increasing Revenue With a New Location. An Online Location 2:30–3:30 p.m. Presenter: Derek Griffin