Our Kinda Gifts … Chicago Has
Randy Eller keynotes at Merchandise Mart; former Senator John Edwards and Steve Forbes speak at Housewares Show
By Staff -- Gifts & Decorative Accessories, 1/1/2006
CHICAGO GIFT & HOME MARKETJanuary 18–25
Temporaries and Beckman's
January 21–24
The Merchandise Mart
200 World Trade Center
Chicago 60654
(312) 527-4141
Show Producer: Merchandise Mart Properties Inc. (MMPI)
Show Hours: Permanent showrooms, January 18–20, 22–24, 9 a.m.–6 p.m. January 21, 9 a.m.–8 p.m. January 25, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Gift temporaries including Beckman's, January 21–23, 9 a.m.–6 p.m. January 24, seventh floor, 9 a.m.–3 p.m.; eighth floor, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Travel Arrangements: Mart Travel Services, (800) 528-8700 or (312) 527-7300
Special Events
- Shop Late Til 8. Saturday, January 21, 6–8 p.m. Perman-ent showrooms, floors 12–15.
- Keynote Speaker Randy Eller, former president of CBK, presents “How Changing Times in the Industry Will Benefit Independent Retailers.” Sunday, January 22. 6–8 p.m.
Unless otherwise noted, All seminars are free, and will be held in suite 800 in the 8th floor Conference Center.
Saturday, January 21
- Styles and Trends for the New Year. 9:30 a.m. Speaker: Becky Boswell Smith, Home Accents Today.
- Setting Up and Managing a website. 11 a.m. Speaker: Ryp Walters, OverCoffee Productions.
- Building a Brand: 411 of Marketing. 1 p.m. Speaker: Lloyd Princeton, Design Management Co.
Sunday, January 22
- Key Ingredients to Customer Service. 11 a.m. Speaker: Carol L. Schroeder, author of Specialty Shop Retailing and contributing editor to Gifts & Decorative Accessories.
- Home Décor Buyer Survey Results for Styles and Trends.1 p.m. Speaker: Jim Carper.
Monday, January 23
- How to Market Gift Baskets. 9:30 a.m. Speaker: Patrick Lamoureux, The Original Basket Boutique.
- PR Basics. 11 a.m. Speaker: Joanna Mineau, Page 1 PR.
- Who Lets the Dogs Out? Turning Slow Moving Merchandise Into Cash! 1 p.m. Speaker: Mary Liz Curtin. Sponsored by eBay.
LOOK FOR: DreamHome, a unique design house showcasing current home accent and design trends, in the South Lobby. Beckman's Handcrafted and other temporary exhibitors located on the seventh and eighth floors.
CHICAGO SPRING GIFT & HOME MARKETMarch 13–15
The Merchandise Mart
200 World Trade Center
Chicago 60654
(312) 527-4141
Show Producer: Merchandise Mart Properties Inc. (MMPI)
Show Hours: 9 a.m.–5 p.m
Travel Arrangements: Mart Travel Services, (800) 528-8700
INTERNATIONAL HOME & HOUSEWARES SHOWMarch 12–14
McCormick Place
2301 S. Lake Shore Dr.
Chicago 60616
(847) 292-4200
Show Producer: International Housewares Association (IHA)
Show Hours: March 12–13, 8:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.; March 14, 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m.
Travel: Housewares Registration & Travel, (800) 752-1052 or (312) 527-7294, or visit housewares@ttgcompass.com
Show Highlights: There are five different, focused show divisions. Of particular interest to gourmet gift retailers are Aspire: Discovery of Design, a showcase of design-focused exhibitors from the world of home decor and tabletop; GOHO, the Gourmet Home & Food District with specialty food exhibits and The GOHO District, home to the Cooking Theater, Cook Book Nook, and NASFT Specialty Food Marketplace; and Global Crossroads, a new Expo focusing on the Show's international pavilions.
Special Event
- Industry Breakfast/International Housewares Association Annual Meeting with keynote speakers former U.S. Senator John Edwards and Forbes magazine editor-in-chief Steve Forbes. 7:15 a.m. Tuesday, March 14. S100/Grand Ballroom of the South Building. Tickets are $25/person or $300/table of ten. Contact Perry Reynolds, (847) 692-0109, or email preynolds@housewares.org
LOOK FOR: Other event and seminar information unavailable as of press time at www.housewares.org.
