Jun 11, 2010
MMPI Leads the Way in Developing Fair Trade Resources

Chicago, IL – MMPI leads the way in providing more qualified Fair Trade resources to meet the ever growing demand from retailers looking for high end, quality handmade products from around the globe to help differentiate their business. The Fair Trade Federation will host a pavilion at The California Gift Show® and The Chicago Market: Living and Giving®, offering buyers a broad spectrum of quality products, created by artisans who know how to service buyer’s needs with price points, a variety of styles, superb quality and excellent customer service.

The California Gift Show was the first to host a Fair Trade pavilion, and boasts the largest collection of Fair Trade exhibitors in the industry, which is an excellent compliment to the World Marketplace that defines Kentia.

These partnerships have helped to support the expansion of Fair Trade in Chicago, at The Chicago Market: Living and Giving show this past January, and the July Market will feature its largest pavilion yet with a significant number of new to market resources for the Midwest market.

The Fair Trade Federation (FTF) is a trade association that strengthens and promotes organizations fully committed to Fair Trade. The Federation is a part of the global Fair Trade movement, building equitable and sustainable trading partnerships and creating opportunities to alleviate poverty. Fair Trade products offer more choices for retailers to help differentiate their business in order to met consumer demand for artisan products.

“For more than sixty years, Fair Trade Organizations have offered high quality products which create positive change for some of the world’s poorest communities,” said Federation Executive Director Carmen K. Iezzi. “We are delighted to provide a one-stop-shop to connect buyers in Chicago and LA with companies who have Fair Trade at the heart of what they do.”

“MMPI is excited to once again offer Fair Trade products at The California Gift Show and The Chicago Market. Fair Trade has had great success at both shows and we hope to build on that as we welcome new and returning Fair Trade Federation member artists to the show,” said Joan Ulrich, senior vice president, MMPI. “Fair Trade has become a standout component of both markets and really differentiates The California Gift Show and Chicago Market within the industry.”

Fair Trade Federation exhibitors have expressed their excitement over the inclusion of Fair Trade at The California Gift Show.

“The California Gift Show has become an important trade hub for Fair Trade vendors to interact with progressive retailers looking to bring sustainably made Fair Trade products to the marketplace,” said Manish Gupta, Founder of Handmade Expressions –California Gift Show exhibitor.

“I think that being screened for Fair Trade Federation membership is important because it shows that you are truly adhering to ‘Fair Trade’ guidelines and that your products are produced in a way that benefits everyone involved. I think awareness and desire to purchase items that are in fact, fair trade are at an all time high. Fair Trade Federation membership allows consumers to know that their purchase is a good one – on many levels, said Nancy Dunitz, owner of Dunitz & Company – California Gift Show exhibitor.

“The Chicago Market now has a dedicated section for Fair Trade vendors, creating a one stop shop for all retailers who want to carry sustainable products in their store. We are looking to expand our retailer partner base in midwest for our wholesale business and Chicago market is a great venue for that. We look forward to the July market,” saidManish Gupta, Handmade Expressions – Chicago Market exhibitor.

“World Shoppe is definitely noticing an increase among retailers seeking out fair trade items as consumer demand for fair trade increases nationwide. We chose to exhibit our line of copper and brass jewelry from South Africa in Beckman’s this past January and we couldn’t have been more thrilled with the response. Retailers were excited to see that fair trade can be fashionable and many of those retailers have already re-ordered because our line flew out their shops. World Shoppe is excited to showcase our newest jewelry designs in Beckman’s this July as well as introduce a new South African artisan group’s line of luxurious mohair scarves,” said Megy Karydes, World Shoppe –Chicago Market exhibitor.

“It is really exciting to see so many retailers grasping the importance of fair trade! The FTF aisle really helps to communicate that retailers can have beautiful, on-trend, and coveted items in their store that also have a positive impact on the lives of artisans in the developing world. This will be WorldFinds third year at the July Market and its great to see all of the amazing things happening – it gets better every year, said Kelly Weinberger, Founder, WorldFinds – Chicago Market exhibitor.

L.A. MART/MMPI
The L.A. Mart is a registered trademark of MMPI. Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc. (MMPI) is a trade show and property management firm, specializing in managing buildings devoted to wholesale showrooms and commercial office space. MMPI produces more than 300 trade shows, market events and conferences each year.

The Chicago Market: Living and Giving is a trademark of MMPI. Beckman’s Handcrafted Gift Show is a registered trademark of MMPI. The Chicago Market: Living and Giving is the longest running gift show in the United States and is a quarterly wholesale tradeshow designed for store owners, retail buyers and designers to shop a wide array of quality products ranging from home accents and furniture to handcrafted or eco-friendly product to collectible items, holiday, baby/children’s product, gourmet and more. The Chicago Merchandise Mart is located at 222 Merchandise Mart Plaza, Chicago, IL 60654. For more information call 800.677.6278 (MART) or visit www.shopchicagomarket.com.

MMPI is a trade show and property management firm, specializing in managing buildings devoted to wholesale showrooms and commercial office space. MMPI produces more than 300 trade shows, market events and conferences each year.

MMPI manages The Merchandise Mart and 350 West Mart Center in Chicago; Market Square, the Suites at Market Square, Hamilton Market, Plaza Suites, Furniture Plaza and the National Furniture Mart in High Point, N.C.; the Architects & Designers Building and 7 W New York in New York; the Boston Design Center in Boston; the L.A. Mart in Los Angeles; and the Washington Design Center in Washington D.C.

Vornado Realty Trust, owners of MMPI, based in New York City, is a fully integrated equity real estate investment trust. Vornado’s common shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange and are traded under the symbol VNO.




Social Connections


📣 Meet our speakers! 📣The Garden Center Show, presented by Lawn & Garden Retailer, is excited to announce our Keynote Speakers! 📣 Michelle Sherrier: Owner of MC Design Academy and host of The Retail Whore Podcast📣 Tim Quebedeaux: Owner of RetailKPI and Service Provider for The Garden Center GroupBe sure to check them out, along with our full, FREE conference schedule for The Garden Center Show, Aug. 6-7 in Rosemont, IL.🔗 Register for FREE: LGRMag.com/GCSRegister🌐 Learn more: www.gardencentershow.com🚌 Bus tour info: lgrmag.com/LGRBusTour#GCS24 #GardenCenterShow #GardenEvents #InPersonEvent #Networking #RetailStrategies #SpecialtyRetailers #GardenCenter #Conference #speaker #keynotespeaker ... See MoreSee Less
View on Facebook
Gift Shop Plus Winter 2024
Get one year of Gift Shop Plus in both print and digital editions for just $16.

Interested in reading the print edition of Gift Shop Plus?

Subscribe Today »

website development by deyo designs