Merchandise Mart Presents Summer Opportunities

The Chicago Gift & Home Market returns to the Chicago Merchandise Mart, July 25–August 1, presenting a single, unified event that Merchandise Mart Properties Inc. (MMPI) calls the most comprehensive in the Midwest. "In addition to our showrooms, and general gift and home and garden temporaries, the July market also includes the Chicago Gift Show and Beckman's Handcrafted Gift Show Chicago, giving buyers the opportunity to shop a very diverse, unique, and wide assortment of products," said Joan Ulrich, vice president of gift leasing for MMPI.

With 300 permanent showrooms and 1,600 temporary market suites, the Chicago Gift & Home Market will encompass 650,000 square feet of exhibition space, and will showcase over 10,000 product lines across the gift and home product spectrum. Sections include General Gift, 8th floor; Home & Garden, 12th floor south, Beckman's Handcrafted, 2nd floor, and the Chicago Gift Show, 8th floor; in addition to the permanent showrooms on floors 12–15 of the Merchandise Mart. The Gift & Home Market will also feature The Starting Gate, a product gallery that showcases the most innovative products to be found throughout the show, located in the 1st floor north lobby of the Mart. The Starting Gate will offer a convenient preview of new products, July 25–31, from 9 a.m.–6 p.m.

Special Events

Lunch Is On Us. See the latest lines while mingling with colleagues. Complimentary lunch will be served on the permanent showroom floors, 12–15, on Saturday, July 28, at noon.

Celebrate 'Til Eight. The Mart's permanent showrooms will host an evening of food entertainment, and extended shopping hours, along with a Caribbean theme, Saturday, July 28, until 8 p.m.

Home & Garden Champagne Brunch. Buyers can enjoy a buffet and sip a mimosa while they shop for home and garden products, Sunday, July 29, at noon.

Fourth Annual Summertime Block Party. Buyers are invited to the South Drive of The Merchandise Mart, Sunday, July 29, from 6–8 p.m., to indulge in some of Chicago's world-famous fare and mingle with industry peers. Tickets can be purchased for $15 during the market at the sales booth in the north lobby, online at www.merchandisemart.com, or by calling the fax-on-demand number at (800) 621-5752. All proceeds from the party will benefit Gift for Life, an organization dedicated to AIDS research and education.

"Chair"ity Silent Auction. The Mart showrooms will transform wooden chairs into one-of-a-kind decorated works of art. Buyers will have the chance to bid on the chair of their choice during the Summertime Block Party on July 29. Auction starts at 6 p.m.; all proceeds will benefit Gift for Life.

Snack Break. Enjoy a Dove Bar and a soft drink while shopping Beckman's Handcrafted Show, Monday, July 30.

It's Coming Up Roses. Kick off the last day of temporary exhibits with a special brunch to welcome FTD and other buyers. Tuesday, July 31.

Buyer Amenities

Free shuttle and trolley services will run between the Mart, designated hotels, and parking facilities.

Concierge services, coat and luggage check, and free registration will be available at the main registration desk on the 1st floor, south lobby.

Friday, July 27

• "Strategically Shopping the Mart." 10–11 a.m. Speaker: Heather Francis, director of marketing for MMPI. Discover how to develop a game plan, maximize your time, and take advantage of the Mart's resources.

Saturday, July 28

• "Making Holiday Sales Magical with Profitable Packaging Techniques." 11 a.m.–noon. Speaker: Arona Khan. Learn how to create quick and easy holiday looks using a myriad of materials to wrap or decorate a single box. Stand out from the competition and delight your customers.
• "Christmas Survival Guide." 1–2 p.m. Find out what can be done to attract traffic at the key times of the season, how to find the help your need to provide good customer service, and what prospects Internet retailing holds for specialty stores.
• "How Does Your Store Compare?" 2:30–3:30 p.m. Speaker: Quinn Halford, editor-in-chief of Gifts & Dec. Quinn will present the results of the Gifts & Dec industry survey on independent specialty store retailers. Learn how your business stacks up to others in terms of store size, gross earnings, merchandise mix, store promotion, and much more.

Sunday, July 29

• "What's Hot in Home Decor." 11 a.m.–noon. This seminar presents the most popular products and styles, based on retailers responses to 1,000 new products. See hot products, hear comments from retailers, and receive vendor sources.
• "Generational Marketing." 12:30–1:30 p.m. Get the latest facts, figures, and updates on generational marketing in a fun and informative session.
• "Floral Arrangement Techniques." 2–3 p.m. Speaker: Talmage McLaurin, vice president, creative, of Florists' Review. Seminar will highlight the latest trends in floral arrangement techniques.

Show Info

Hours: Permanent showrooms: July 25–31, 9 a.m.–6 p.m.; July 28, 9 a.m.–8 p.m.; August 1, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. General Gift: July 28–30, 9 a.m.–6 p.m.; July 31, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Home & Garden: July 28–31, 9 a.m.–6 p.m. Beckman's Handcrafted: July 28–30, 9 a.m.–6 p.m.; July 31, 9 a.m.–2 p.m.

Address: 200 World Trade Center, Chicago 60654

Call: (312) 527-4141

www.merchandisemart.com