African Wares Visit Windy City
CMM partners with the Illinois Africa Trade and Investment Office to debut Africa Pavilion in Market Suites.
By Staff -- Gifts & Decorative Accessories, 7/1/2003
CHICAGO GIFT & HOME MARKETJuly 23–30
Temporaries July 26–29
The Merchandise Mart
200 World Trade Center
Chicago 60654
(312) 527-4141
Show Producer: Merchandise Mart Properties Inc. (MMPI)
Show Hours: Permanent showrooms, July 23–25, 27–29, 9 a.m.–6 p.m. July 26, 9 a.m.–8 p.m. July 30, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Gift temporaries, July 26–28, 9 a.m.–6 p.m. July 29, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Beckman's Handcrafted Gift Show, July 26–28, 9 a.m.– 6 p.m. July 29, 9 a.m.–2 p.m.
Travel Arrangements: Mart Travel Services, (800) 528-8700
Special Events:
Umbrella Auction. July 23–July 27, and at the Block Party. Umbrellas as works of art benefit Gift for Life. Bid in participating showrooms.
Lunch is on Us. Saturday, July 26, noon. Floors 12–15.
Shop Late Til 8. Saturday, July 26, 6–8 p.m. Showrooms, floors 12–15.
Run (or Walk) Around the Mart. Sunday, July 27. 7:30 a.m. Gift for Life Fundraiser. Donation, $15. Receive water, T-shirt, and half off block party.
Summertime Block Party. Sunday, July 27. 6–8 p.m. South Drive of The Merchandise Mart. $15/person; $50/four. Food, drinks, entertainment. Benefits Gift for Life.
Power Brunch. Monday, July 28, 10 a.m. 8th floor Market Suites.
Seminars
Unless otherwise noted, seminars are free and are held in suite 800 in the 8th floor Conference Center.
Thursday, July 24
Strategically Shopping The Mart: Your Roadmap to Success. 10–11 a.m. Speaker: Diane Mosley.
Friday, July 25
Top 10 Giftwrapping Tips. 1–2 p.m. Sponsored by Gift Box Corp. Repeats Saturday, 2:30 p.m.
Attract and Retain Customers and Employees. 3–4:30 p.m. Speaker: Rick Segel. Tickets: $19 per person and will benefit the Gift & Collectibles Guild. Sponsored by Collectors' Information Bureau. To order: www.collectorsinfo.org
Saturday, July 26
Internet Basics. 10–11 a.m. Speaker: Ryp Walters, Overcoffee Productions.
Incredibly Wonderful Christmas Display Ideas. 12:30–1:30 p.m. Speaker: Tony DeMasi.
Top 10 Giftwrapping Tips. 2:30–3:30 p.m.
Sunday, July 27
How Much Should I Buy? 10–11:30 a.m. Speaker: Mort Haaz, OTB Retail Systems.
Setting Up and Managing a Web Site. 1–2:30 p.m. Speaker: Ryp Walters.
Buying for Beginners. 3–4 p.m. Speaker: Carol L. Schroeder, columnist, Gifts & Decorative Accessories magazine, and author of Gift Shop Retailing.
Monday, July 28
Developing a Workable Vendor Partnership. 11 a.m.–noon. Speaker: Marilyn Nason.
LOOK FOR: The Africa Pavilion, 8th floor Market Suites, booth 8-D120, representing a range of product from South Africa's nine culturally diverse provinces. Meet the Artist — In individual booths at Beckman's Handcrafted Gift Show. Chicago's Choice Awards — Temporaries: new and distinctive products and lines. Special Market Displays: The Starting Gate, South Lobby; Beckman's Handcrafted Gallery, North Lobby. Internet Cafe.
