August/September 2010

INDUSTRY

NEWSLETTER

2010

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2005

AMC, Inc., AmericasMart, Atlanta

“Certification as a human resources professional clearly demonstrates a commitment to personal excellence and the human resources profession,” said Susan Meisinger, SPHR President and CEO of the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM), in the statement.

Brush joined AMC, Inc. as tax director in 1996. He eventually assumed additional responsibilities including risk management, tradeshow accounting, payroll and 401(k) plan administration, as well as involvement in compensation and benefits. His work led to an April 2000 promotion to assistant vice president, Tax & Risk Management. In March, 2003, he assumed full responsibility for all human resources functions.

This July during The Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market®, some 2,000 AMERICASMART permanent showrooms and 4,400 temporary exhibitors were judged on the creativity, originality and spirit of their showroom/booth presentation. The winners were selected by an independent panel of judges who bring decades of visual display expertise to the program, according to a press statement from AMC. Here are the July 2005 Visual Display Awards winners.

Permanent Exhibitors, AMERICASMART (1) (The Merchandise Mart), Best of Show winners were: Accent Décor; Direct Export, Co.; Aldik; Vintage Floral Imports; Windward International; Barreveld International; Mid-Atlantic Pottery, Inc.; Ariel Art; Southern Accessories Today; Four Hands; Emdee International and Harvest Goods.

The AMERICASMART (2) (The Gift Mart), Best Overall winners were: Elements/Melannco; Villeroy & Boch; and Country Originals. The AMERICASMART (3) (The Apparel Mart), Best of Show winners were Wood Stuff at Camp Atlanta; Nantucket Off-Shore and Pelican Bay - (Tie); K n’ K Designs; International Optics; and Eternal Jewels.

The Best of Show among Temporary Exhibitors was Bo-Bo Intriguing Objects. The Best in Category among Temporary Exhibitors were: Tendance Khmere; Two Simmons Studio; Warm Glow Candle Co.; BroCars; Antler Worx; Vici International; Funktion; Wild Olive; ZENTS; Garden Route; Tea Forte; Fire & Light Originals; Red Vanilla; Ty, Inc.; donovandesigns; Stella & Stevie; Notes/L’Orangerie; and Plain Jane, Inc.

Within the largest single collection of gift product, a collection also featuring extensive home accents and furnishings product resources, the nation’s retailers discovered 16 brand new AMERICASMART (2) showrooms during the July 12-20, 2005 Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market. And many exhibitors have extended their AMERICASMART presences with long-term lease renewals. Also new for the summer of 2005 was a more than 12,000-square-foot collective expansion of eight AMERICASMART (2) showrooms.

ASD/AMD Trade Shows

The expo will facilitate buyers and wholesalers meeting face-to-face to clear out inventories, and increase year-end revenues. Expectations are that exhibitors will showcase both opportunity and closeout goods as well as merchandise that is ideal for retailers who have waited until the last moment to purchase, the statement said.

Wholesalers will find a robust market of retailers looking for end-of-year opportunity buys in the largest consumer market in the United States. Buyers will find unprecedented deals on wholesale merchandise – gifts, toys, apparel, novelties and collectibles, jewelry plus seasonal items and the opportunity buys unique to ASD/AMD shows.

The Los Angeles Convention Center is easily accessible from the area’s four major airports and has plenty of parking, making attending the event easy for area companies and out-of-town visitors.

California Market Center

In his new role at the California Market Center, Sotomayer will oversee all leasing activities and special projects for gift and home. His responsibilities will also include development of contemporary shows with an emphasis on categories such as jewelry, fashion accessories, toys and personal care. His primary and immediate focus will be to build and expand the permanent leasing roster at CMC, the statement said.

George Little Management, LLC (GLM)

Craft Industry veteran Colvin English has joined George Little Management, LLC (GLM), as director of craft marketing. In addition, English will serve as show manager of SOURCES® LA and divisional manager of At Home at the California Gift Show®, according to a press statement from GLM.

“Colvin has been connected with GLM and our tradeshows for years through his manufacturing and consulting work,” said Alan Steel, executive vice president, in the statement. “His creativity and indepth knowledge of the industry will be assets to GLM’s tradeshows.”

English brings years of experience in the craft industry, most recently serving as co-founder, Melange, an import wholesale company specializing in contemporary design and traditional craft.

In response to the global surge in all things spa, an all-new EX·TRACTS: Essentials for Spa, Home and Travel will launch this fall, according to a press statement from GLM. Collocated with the International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show®, the all-new edition of the established personal care and wellness show will feature cutting-edge spa products for hotels, resorts, day spas, wellness centers and home spas, expanding buying opportunities for both the professional and retail sectors of the hospitality and spa industries. Following a full-day industry conference, Spa Vision Forum™, on Saturday, Nov. 12, EX•TRACTS will present three days of exhibits, Sunday, Nov. 13 through Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2005, at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. The show will feature 175 exhibitors, presenting more than 400 lines, and will attract some 10,000 attendees.

Elizabeth Nystrom has been named divisional manager of LA Contemporary at the California Gift Show®, with responsibility for day-to-day sales, marketing, management and operations of the division, according to a press statement from GLM. In addition, Nystrom, who joined GLM in 1993, will retain her responsibilities as divisional manager of EX·TRACTS® at the California Gift Show, and as show manager, International New Age Trade Show® East and West. Nystrom reports directly to Aubin Wilson, show director. The California Gift Show will feature 1,800 exhibitors, Jan. 21-24, 2006, at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

A new venue, new collocation with the New York International Gift Fair® and a notable number of exciting new companies and resources, came together to create a successful launch for the all-new summer edition of EX·TRACTS: Essentials for personal care and wellness, August 13-16, at New York City’s Penn Plaza Pavilion, according to a press statement from GLM. The show presented 79 pioneering personal care companies, providing some 2,000 attendees with exciting introductions in every category of personal care.

“The personal care industry has responded positively to the all-new August edition of EX·TRACTS, with retailers, manufacturers and a broad selection of industry press giving a nod to the new market and its collocation with the New York International Gift Fair,” said Rita Malek, show manager, in the statement. “The show’s unique product mix offered attendees a strong personal care resource at the Gift Fair, enhancing the value of both shows and providing a successful synergy between them.”

A New PetStyle division, a series of cooking demonstrations from local chefs and thousands of new products filled the San Francisco International Gift Fair® with excitement and innovation, August 6-10, 2005 at the Moscone Convention Center and Concourse Exhibition Hall, according to a press statement from GLM.

Some 20,000 retailers attended the fair, which, for the first time, was held concurrently with the American Craft Council (ACC) Wholesale Show and the San Francisco Furniture Mart. These three exciting events ran as part of a new Gift and Home Furnishings Week umbrella, and created a unique west coast buying experience with new cross-marketing opportunities, the statement said.

“The Summer 2005 San Francisco International Gift Fair offered a new kind of buying experience for attendees,” said Mike Dean, president, Western Exhibitors, in the statement. “The Gift Fair’s new resources, combined with the new partnership with the ACC and the S.F. Mart, expanded the market’s product offering and networking opportunities.”

Kentucky Craft Marketing Program

George Little Management, LLC, planned a series of celebratory activities connected with this milestone that were to spotlight the division’s history and participants, including the Kentucky Craft Marketing Program (KCMP). Festivities were to include a retrospective display showcasing archival materials and images that spanned 20 years, an anniversary reception recognizing the division’s charter exhibitors, and an evening event at the Museum of Arts and Design, according to a press statement from KCMP.

“The KCMP’s participation in New York established Kentucky’s position on the national craft business landscape and catapulted our success in the early years of the program,” said Fran Redmon, KCMP director, in the statement. Kentucky was one of the first states invited to participate in the newly formed Handmade Division.

KCMP will honor Marie Emlen Hochstrasser of Lexington, Ky., with the 10th annual Rude Osolnik Award for 2005, according to a press statement from the program. The award honors namesake Rude Osolnik, the nationally acclaimed wood turner from Berea, Ky., who devoted his life to the development of his craft and teaching.

Hochstrasser attended Smith College and California College of Arts and Crafts prior to receiving her bachelor’s degree in Applied Arts from the University of California, Los Angeles, and acquiring her master’s degree in art education/textile research from the University of Oregon. During her career, she has been an art educator and private business owner. She is also involved in the planning for the 2006 American Craft Council/Southeast Regional conference and has received lifetime juried status with the Craft Marketing Program.

“Often times, when someone contributes so much to an effort over a long period of time and often in a low profile, we forget how much that individual has done. We have no idea what the arts in Kentucky would be like if Marie hadn’t been offering her time and energy all these years,” said Nancy Bronner, editor of Arts Across Kentucky, in the statement.

Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc. (MMPI)

Thompson will be responsible for the supervision of all engineering, security, material handling and housekeeping departments, the coordination of tenant- improvement projects, construction management, and the execution of all service contracts for the mart.

“It is a privilege to join this management team, and to have the opportunity to become involved with such a compelling and interesting industry,” Thompson said in the statement.

Showrooms and exhibitors reported success at the July 2005 Chicago Gift & Home Market™, which was held July 20-27, 2005, at The Merchandise Mart, according to a press statement from MMPI.

“With our expanded and renovated temporary exhibit show floors, as well as our many seminars and special events, attendees at the Chicago Gift & Home Market have access to the most comprehensive resources in one convenient location. We are proud to provide an environment that is so conducive to conducting business, and we are glad to see such great results for exhibitors and buyers alike,” said Joan Ulrich, vice president, MMPI, in the statement.

The showrooms and exhibitors echoed these sentiments. “This is the best summer market we have ever experienced. Buyers are upbeat and placing orders. The Saturday night event brought in a lot of buyers for us,” said Rhonda Langston, showroom manager for Aldik Artificial Flower Company, Inc., in the statement.

Toy Industry Association, Inc.™ (TIA)

As of press time, nearly 700 buyers had registered to attend from top global and national retail outlets. Temporary space will be available for companies who wish to exhibit.

“TIA is expecting this year’s Fall Toy Show to be the best yet,” said Thomas P. Conley, TIA’s president, in the statement. “We already have an impressive list of buyers and manufacturers on board, and are expecting those numbers to grow right up until the show opens.”

Urban Expositions

“Buyers have always enjoyed the Gulf Coast show’s features like a hassle-free, casual shopping environment and the great product selection,” said Doug Miller, president, Urban Expositions, in the statement. “Now buyers can take advantage of added benefits like our new convenient location, right on Seawall Boulevard, our Sunday evening show party and giveaways.”

The Panama City and Resort Merchandise Show returns to the Boardwalk Beach Resort Convention Center in Panama City, Fla., Oct. 16-19, 2005.

“The Panama City Gift and Resort Merchandise Show is a perfect opportunity for regional retailers to see a tremendous selection of themed merchandise, resort apparel, gifts and souvenirs locally,” said Donna Guess, executive director, Florida Division, Urban Expositions, in a press statement.

Returning to the Ocean City Convention Center in Ocean City, Md., Nov. 13-16, 2005, the East Coast Resort Gift Expo is the perfect resource for retailers from Maine to Virginia Beach looking to stock up on last minute holiday merchandise and plan their spring and summer resort seasons, according to a press statement from Urban Expositions.

“As the largest show of its kind in the Northeast region, this annual event gives the region’s retailers the ideal opportunity to explore countless new lines and classic bestsellers,” Miller said in the statement. “Added features like off-season

February Biloxi Gift Show Temporarily Relocating to Jackson, Miss. Because of the damage to the convention center in Biloxi, Miss., due to hurricane Katrina, the Feb. 4-6, 2006 Biloxi Gift Show is relocating to the Trademart in Jackson, Miss, said Jim Kaskin, president and CEO, Wholesale Markets, Inc., in a press statement from the company. “However, we will return to the beautiful Gulf Coast as soon as possible. In this time of transition, we are dedicated to supplying our loyal retailers with the products they need and we also endeavor to do our part in the rebuilding of the Gulf Coast economy,” he said. The show has been located in Biloxi for 11 years, said show promoter Pam Haskin in the statement. Haskin said she had received numerous calls from retailers who have lost their homes and businesses but are vowing to rebuild. “The damage in Biloxi and other towns along the Gulf Coast has been almost too difficult to comprehend. We want to extend our sympathy to families along the Gulf Coast as they mourn their losses and begin to rebuild,” she said.

hotel rates and the relaxed shopping atmosphere make this show a favorite among the area’s retailers.

From December 4-7, 2005, the Grand Strand Gift and Resort Merchandise Show will offer the nation’s retailers an unrivaled selection of themed merchandise, resort apparel, gift and souvenirs in more than 700 booths at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center in Myrtle Beach, S.C., according to a press statement.

“The Big Kahuna continues to be the mustattend event in the industry,” Miller said in the statement. “Perfectly timed to help retailers stock up for the spring and summer months during the off-season, the show also gives attendees a chance to take advantage of the mild weather and reduced hotel rates in Myrtle Beach in December.”