TRADE SHOW NEWS

The Gallery (From page 18) vice president of leasing, gift for International Market Centers (IMC). “Whether buyers represent museums, galleries and cultural attractions or are interested in introducing educational and artisan products into their merchandise mix, The Gallery Collection will be a can’t miss destination.”

Some 20-plus exhibitors are slated for The Gallery Collection.

Gift Leasing Accelerates for Summer 2021 Atlanta Market

Significant gains in gift showroom leasing for Atlanta Market are indicating a continued rebound for both the semi-annual buying event and the greater gift and lifestyle industry, reported International Market Centers (IMC). Some 33 debuts, relocations and expansions in the general gift; gourmet, housewares and tabletop; and outdoor living and seasonal categories are set to open among Atlanta Market’s 700-plus gift showrooms for the July 13-19, 2021 market.

“Upticks in new leases and expansions in the nation’s largest gift collection at Atlanta Market are a bellwether for the gift industry as a whole,” said Scott Eckman, IMC chief revenue officer. “This growth in general gift - as well as the specialty gourmet/ tabletop and outdoor living/seasonal categories which have been experiencing high levels of consumer demand during the pandemic – indicates an industry confidence that we have been eagerly anticipating.” ❖

IMC Expands Gourmet Offerings with New Gourmet Housewares Collections

Launching in Las Vegas in Summer 2021, Expanding to Atlanta in Winter 2022

IMC recently announced a plan to significantly expand its gourmet housewares product resources to address buyer demand. The Gourmet Housewares Collection will debut at the Summer 2021 Las Vegas Market, and expand to the Atlanta Market in Winter 2022.

“IMC is stepping up to offer more opportunities for buyers and vendors to connect as interest in the gourmet category continues to grow,” said Bob Maricich, IMC CEO. “The Gourmet Housewares Collection will be a dedicated, comprehensive and focused collection on the trade show floor at each of our Winter and Summer Markets designed to give brands the opportunity to get in front of new and existing accounts and providing cross buying opportunities for independent specialty gift, home, hardware and lifestyle retailers.”

The buying destinations will feature up to 100 new resources including kitchen gadgets, cookware, small electrics, grilling tools, kitchen textiles, bar accessories, cookbooks, gourmet food and more. These new resources will expand existing gourmet housewares and food resources presented in permanent showrooms in each city with some 450-plus brands in Atlanta and 350-plus in Las Vegas. Both markets also feature an expansive and comprehensive presentation of complementary lifestyle, seasonal, and home décor products.❖

Expanded Resources at Summer 2021 Atlanta Market

Registration is now open for the Summer 2021 Atlanta Market (showrooms July 13-19, 2021; temporaries July 14-18) which marks a major advancement in its post-pandemic rebound with its most expansive product offerings since the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis.

“The optimism of the first half of 2021 is amplified for the summer market,” said International Market Centers (IMC) CEO Bob Maricich. “Buyers and sellers are preparing for a strong market as industry recovery continues and business approaches pre-pandemic levels.”

Near Pre-pandemic Level Resources

Atlanta Market expects significant expansion in showroom and temporary resources for the July buying event.

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Expanded Resources (From page 20)

“We are on a strong growth path,” explained Chief Revenue Officer for IMC Scott Eckman. “Early commitments for new leases and expansions, and healthy trade show sales signal the return of the unmatched depth and breadth of lifestyle product that is a hallmark of the Atlanta Market experience.”

Of note for summer 2021 is the reopening of trade show destinations to accommodate resource growth, with nearly 800 lines presented in socially distant temporary booth configurations on nine floors across the three-building AmericasMart campus. ❖

IMC Recruits Digital Innovator Bill Furlong of Expedia Group

International Market Centers (IMC), a Blackstone portfolio company, recently announced that William B. (Bill) Furlong will join the company in a newly created position as Chief Executive Officer of Juniper, IMC’s new fully integrated omnichannel B2B e-commerce platform. This strategic hire further underscores the companies’ investment in and commitment to the development of an industry-first, best-in-class B2B suite of software and marketplace solutions. Together IMC and Blackstone have invested over $100MM in product development and built a team of over 160 people in less than 18 months.

Furlong brings 25 years of digital innovation and leadership experience, including 11 years with Expedia Group that included oversight of the Americas business for the Vrbo/HomeAway vacation rental marketplace. During that time, he led teams that successfully developed industry-first digital tools for vacation rental management companies and powered a best-in-class digital marketplace for vacation rentals. ❖

Las Vegas Market’s Summer 2021 FIRST LOOK Showcases Four New Gift and Home Trends

Las Vegas Market announced today four design and color trends in its proprietary FIRST LOOK program – EARLY TO RISE, SPECIAL EFFECTS, HOME & AWAY and ’80s BEATS – for the Summer 2021 Market, Aug. 22 – 26 at World Market Center Las Vegas.

“The Summer 2021 First Look trends reflect the optimism of consumers now with bright colors, playful materials, a bit of whimsy and an excitement to return to travel and other activities,” said Dorothy Belshaw, chief customer and marketing officer for IMC. “FIRST LOOK identifies these trends in the context of Las Vegas Market and serves as a preview for retailers and designers looking for relevant at-market resources.”

The four Summer 2021 FIRST LOOK themes are: ’80s BEATS - Eighties-era influences span all product segments at Las Vegas Market, from curvy upholstery and expressionist accessories to vintage handbags and lip balm; EARLY TO RISE - Sunny is up and novelties are sweet in EARLY TO RISE, a casual vignette filled with housewares, small appliances, tabletop, gourmet, dining furniture, and decorative accessories; HOME & AWAY - FIRST LOOK hones in on what home means to the post-pandemic consumer. Meanwhile, pent-up demand for travel, vacation and experience grows with each passing sunset; and, SPECIAL EFFECTS- Abstract patterns, translucent materials, neon lights, iridescent finishes, shimmery metallics with focus categories that include LED lighting, decorative accessories, housewares, textiles, area rugs and upholstery.

Expanded Resources, Date Shift Sets Stage for Robust Summer 2021 Las Vegas Market

A strong fourth quarter and later-than-normal summer show dates have positioned Las Vegas Market as the West Coast’s last major sourcing opportunity for 2021, offering retailers a robust assortment of gift, home décor and furniture products to fill their holiday inventory needs. Registration for Summer 2021 Market, which runs August 22 – August 26, opens soon at LasVegasMarket.com.

“There’s an industry-wide need for product and Las Vegas Market is prepared to help meet that demand,” said IMC CEO Bob Maricich. “April Market was an important first step towards business recovery for the western states, and we look forward to continued progress by connecting buyers and suppliers again this August.”

This summer, attendees will find a depth and breadth of new, innovative and best-selling products on a campus that features 4,300-plus furniture, gift and home décor resources across three showroom buildings (A, B and C) and in the temporary exhibits located in the Expo at World Market Center Las Vegas. ❖

The Miami Souvenir and Resort Show Is Scheduled for August 14-16, 2021

Pinnacle Shows, LLC, has announced that the Miami Souvenir and Resort Show will be held August 14-16, 2021.

The show is custom-tailored to meet the buying needs of South Florida resorts and island buyers. Attendees will find a unique offering of resort and souvenir merchandise, apparel, jewelry, gifts and fashion accessories with a regional feel that isn’t represented anywhere else.

“We have spoken directly to a large number of resorts in South Florida and many of them are having their best year in over a decade. We have seen that trend reflected in our regional trade shows over the last few months. Not only has the tourism industry shown its resiliency, but also its ability to thrive over the last year. As travel continues, resort buyers are increasingly in need of merchandise suppliers. Our Miami Souvenir and Resort Show is in a unique position to bring regional exhibitors together with regional attendees. The demand is there. Let’s bring the supply. It’s time to do business again,” said President of Pinnacle Shows, LLC, Matt Miller.

The show will be held at the Miami Airport Convention Center. This is a new location from the previously held souvenir and resort show in Fort Lauderdale and will capture the thriving resort buyers from South Florida as well as the Caribbean. For further details, visit www.pinnacle-shows. com.

Trade Show Exhibitor News Cape Shore Is Ready for Surf Expo

Cape Shore is ready to hit the tradeshow circuit once more. After taking a virtual approach to the 2020 tradeshow season, Cape Shore will be kicking off their 2022 line titled “Cape Happy” at the Surf Expo in September. The show is scheduled for September 9-11, 2021 in Orlando, Fla.

With a renewed sense of purpose, strength, and brightness, Cape Shore has designed a new line of products with a focus on happiness - Cape Happy to be specific. Cape Happy is defined by the feeling you get when you lose yourself in a truly spectacular vacation or staycation moment. We see 2022 as the ultimate year of renewal and we invite

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