Jun 13, 2017

The essential gift market: AmericasMart Atlanta presents industry’s top market experience for summer 2017

The Atlanta International Gift and Home Furnishings Market is the essential buying opportunity of the summer for discerning gift retailers from across the nation and the world as its showcase of must-have, trendsetting merchandise is augmented by first-to-Market programming and educational opportunities. Buyers enjoy a comprehensive Marketplace featuring industry-leading collections in specialty categories including General and Specialty Gift, Gourmet & Housewares, Tabletop & Gift, Home Accents and The Gardens July 11-18, 2017, complemented by corresponding temporary categories July 13-17.

“This July Market is any incredible opportunity to see the AmericasMartAtlanta Gift collection at its very best,” said Mary Sullivan, senior vice president of Leasing. “Exhibitors are looking at new and exciting ways to showcase product, new lines are joining the collection and our AmericasMart LIVE programming presents business building information in a forum unlike anywhere else. It is really a can’t-miss Market experience.”

Across the collection, new and existing exhibitors are taking advantage of AmericasMart’s unmatched depth and breadth of product to explore new ways to reach buyers. Both Godinger Group and Michael Aram expand to showcase new-to-Atlanta collections for the July Market. Godinger showcases Phillip Whitney in its additional space on Floor 8, while Michael Aram showcases Marigold Artisans on Floor 9. Meissenburg Designs relocates to Floor 7 for proximity to the popular Made in America product destination.

Appelman Schauben expands its AmericasMart footprint with an additional 5,000 square feet of trend-driven lifestyle product on Floor 11. The new collection features The Beach Glass, Flint, Meri Meri, Stanley Products, Studio Oh, Time Concepts and Toss Designs, strategically showcased near other lines represented by Appelman Schauben: Harmon, TAG and Imax.

“When I found out that there was room for Appelman Schauben to expand onto Floor 11, I wanted to take advantage of it,” says Peter Schauben. “The new space increases our ability to bring more new and exciting companies and products to our retail partners.” Schauben plans to continue growing his presence on Floor 11 as he adds mores home décor lines to the collection. “AmericasMart is one of the largest and growing markets in the country, and we feel that we bring the best of design, lines and visual presentation to the Market.”

Additional updates to the collection include new showrooms Auratic, Inc., Baggallini, Blue Sky Clayworks, Christian Art Gifts, Contrast LLC/Kingmax Product Inc., Cose Nuove, DNS Designs, Dock 6 Pottery, J.T. Rose, Molly & Drew, Olivia Riegel, Progressive International, Red Carpet Studios, Serene House, Inc, Thousand Oaks Barrel Company andViabella. Expansions include Cheerful Giver/Keepers of the Light, Cheesecloth and Buttermilk, Crestview Collection, CTW Home Collection, Continental Art Center, Inc., Daniel Richards, David’s Concrete Innovations, DaySpring, Enchante Accessories, Inc., Exhart, HomArt, Homeware Sales, LLC, Maison Rouge, Noelle, LLC, Primitives by Kathy, and Tango, with relocations from MARCO International, Raggedy Junction, Southern Komfort Bed Swing/My Outdoor Rooms, Spooner Creek, Stoneage Arts, The Country House Collection, The Unicorn Studio Inc and Village Farmhouse.

AmericasMart’s Building 2 Gift collection is organized as:

• General and Specialty Gift: Building 2, Floors 6, 7, 14-18
• Gourmet and Housewares: Building 2, Floor 8
• Tabletop and Gift: Building 2, Floors 8 and 9
• Home Accents and Gifts: Building 2, Floors 10-13
• The Gardens: Building 2, Floors 9 & 10

Corresponding Temporary product categories include juried collections Gardens LUXE, Gourmet LUXE, HIGH DESIGN LUXE, Tabletop LUXE as well as HIGH DESIGN, Housewares, Tabletop & Entertaining, Gourmet Foods, Coastal Lifestyles, The Gardens and Birding & Backyard Nature in Building 2. Juried collections Boutique, Emerging Artists, Handmade Designs, Handmade Jewelry, Made in America, Modern Baby & Contemporary Kid, and On Trend Gifts are in Building 3 with Holiday, Floral, Baskets, Cash & Carry Jewelry, Global Designs, Museum Gifts & Fine Gifts, Body & Soul, Spa Products, Children’s World, Jewelry & Fashion Accessories and General Gifts.

A new programming initiative — AmericasMart LIVE — showcases current information that gift buyers need to know now. Headliners Nate Berkus, Erik Qualman and Sarah Jessica Parker are joined by thought leaders from across the lifestyle spectrum. Graphic designer, turned blogger, turned author and entrepreneur Joy Cho shares how she evolved her business into a successful lifestyle brand working with the world’s top retailers. Three creative powerhouses — Jen Gotch of ban.do, Tracy Porter of Poetic Wanderlustand Anna Bond of Rifle Paper Co.—preset an inspiring discussion on channeling creativity and leadership, developing fresh products at retail and transforming an idea into a big, bold brand. What’s up next in lifestyle products is discussed in two trend reports: Elle Lasher of international trend authorityWGSN presents key trends for the lifestyle and interiors industry for Autumn/Winter 17/18 and Tom Mirabile, SVP Global Trend and Design for Lifetime Brands presents top trends for 2017 and new rules for changing consumers.

The Building 2 Demonstration Kitchen features industry leaders with expertise ranging from barbecues to banquets. The winningest man in barbecue, Chef Myron Mixon, presents the ultimate barbecue school, as artistic visionary and leading wedding and entertaining expert David Tuterashares tips for celebrating life in style. AmericasMart celebrates Atlanta’s culinary culture with a series of interactive demonstrations curated by “Atlanta Magazine” throughout the Market. On tap for the culinary tour are Chef Gerry Klaskala of Aria, Chef Hector Santiago of El Super Pan, Chef Ford Fry of Ford Fry Restaurants, Chef Kevin Gillespie of Red Beard Restaurants,Chef Tom Harvey of Farm Burger, Chef Hudson Rouse of Rising Son andJulia Bainbridge, food editor at the publication. Food and lifestyle expertChadwick Boyd finishes out the demo series with tips for cast iron cooking for modern home cooks.

Buyers can tune into AmericasMart’s social media channels and screens throughout the campus to see live updates from the Market by correspondentsBrian Patrick Flynn, Jenny Heinzen York and Patti Carpenter complemented by pre-recorded product-focused videos, together showcasing what’s new and next in home, gift and rug merchandise.

For a full list of Market events and additional information about AmericasMart LIVE, please visit AmericasMart.com/July.