Jun 16, 2011

The Chicago Market Offers Complete Market Experience With Events, Amenities And New Products

CHICAGO – The Chicago Market provides buyers and retailers with the complete market experience with not-to-be-missed events, fantastic amenities and a broad product mix. Event highlights include seminars, networking happy hours and an exciting Retail Tour through Chicago’s Southport Corridor. These events and more can be found only at The Chicago Market, July 28-August 3, with Temporaries, including Beckman’s™ Handcrafted Show, July 30- August 2.

The Chicago Market will offer a jam-packed buying experience with the events below. Visit www.ShopChicagoMarket.com for more information about market amenities, these events, the event RSVP registration site, and details about additional showroom events.

FRIDAY, JULY 29

BALLOONIVERSITY

Sponsored by burton+BURTON®

9 am – 5:30 pm

Floor 2, Merchandise Mart Conference Center

burton + BURTON:

Showcasing balloon and floral focused design seminars.

Market & Ballooniversity registration required.

For registration and seminar agenda details, please visit www.ballooniversity.com.

If you arrive at Market and are not registered for this event but would like to attend, please call 800-241-2094 to check space availability.

SATURDAY, JULY 30

FAIR TRADE FEDERATION: AN INDUSTRY MOVEMENT LUNCH N’ LEARN

12 – 1 pm

Floor 8, Room 8A

Chicago has recently been awarded Fair Trade city status. Join Megy Karydes, founder of World Shoppe Fair Trade and board member of the Fair Trade Federation, as she discusses the importance of Fair Trade, the impact of its mission, and the benefit of integrating its distinctive, global products in your business.

Lunch will be served; RSVP required. Limited Availability.

To RSVP, please visit http://www.shopchicagomarket.com/shopchicagomarket/index.cfm/events/

SATURDAY, JULY 30

ANNIVERSARY COCKTAIL RECEPTION

3 – 6 pm

Floor 13, Showroom 13-423

In celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Foundations collection, Enesco is hosting a cocktail reception from 3 – 6 pm on Saturday, July 30th at their showroom, Suite 13-423. Meet local artist, Karen Hahn, creator of the Foundations collection, and see the latest introduction of the brand. Artist-signed product will be raffled throughout the reception and special gifts for registered buyers.

SATURDAY, JULY 30

COUNTRY BUSINESS AWARDS & HAPPY HOUR

4 – 5 pm

Floor 8, Beckman’s Light Atrium

Celebrating this year’s Retailer and Vendor of the Year Awards, Country Business honors the 2011 winners with an award presentation and a retail Q&A. Join us to hear their success stories, network, and enjoy a happy hour with appetizers and refreshments brought to you by The Chicago Market.

SATURDAY, JULY 30

ANNIVERSARY PARTY: CELEBRATING BETTE C. & CO.

4 – 8 pm

Bette C. & Co. | Floor 14, Showroom #1491

Join in the celebration – Bette C. & Company: 1/3 of a century in The Mart at The Chicago Market. From years of work with John Leer, to purchasing the company in 1990, Bette C. is celebrating 33 years in the building. Stop by for an artist meet n’ greet and partake in the festivities!

SATURDAY, JULY 30

SHOP LATE NIGHT

6 – 8 pm

Showroom Floors 13 & 14

No need to feel rushed – stay and shop until 8 pm! Continue shopping the showroom floors on 13 & 14 and enjoy the hospitality that The Chicago Market is known for during our Shop Late Night! Refreshments, savory eats and dessert will be among the offerings found in our permanent showrooms. Bars will be scattered on the floors to complete the night!

SUNDAY, JULY 31

MERCHANDISING: TIPS & TRICKS | LUNCH N’ LEARN

12 – 1 pm

Floor 8, Room 8A

Join Cadmium Interiors LLC as they present merchandising and decorating techniques, and learn to apply their tips and tricks to your business – whether it’s based in retail or focused on the residential. Cadmium covers all your design needs from concept and layout to the last finishing touches. Their specialties go beyond decorating, applying artistry and design aesthetics to create accessible, inviting spaces. Lunch will be served; RSVP required. Limited Availability. To RSVP, please visit http://www.shopchicagomarket.com/shopchicagomarket/index.cfm/events/

MONDAY, AUGUST 1: DESIGNER DAY

DESIGNER DAY: DESIGNER FOCUSED LUNCH N’ LEARN

12 – 1 pm

Floor 8, Room 8A

Want tips on accessorizing? Need help in pulling a room together? Join us for this design focused Luncheon where you will hear from today’s top Designers about tricks of the trade. Apply their knowledge to your business’s inventory and/or practices to gain additional success in the industry! Lunch will be served; RSVP required. Limited Availability. To RSVP, please visit http://www.shopchicagomarket.com/shopchicagomarket/index.cfm/events/

MONDAY, AUGUST 1: DESIGNER DAY

DESIGNER DAY: AFTERNOON COCKTAIL RECEPTION

2 – 3 pm

Floor 8, Home Section

Continue Designer Day for more great design tips and resources that can bring it all together. Relax and enjoy the afternoon while shopping in the Home Section of the Temporary Floor. Network with exhibitors and fellow designers over cocktails and afternoon appetizers.

MONDAY, AUGUST 1

RETAIL TOUR

Co-Sponsored by the GHTA and the following GHTA Chicago Market members:

DNA Sales, Midwest – CBK, Roman, TECSYS & Transpac Imports

4:45 – 7:30 pm

Starts on Floor 1, in the North Lobby

Explore retail in Chicago! Join us on a tour of Chicago’s Southport Corridor, a boutique neighborhood destination and cultural hotspot for retail shopping, dining and entertainment. The tour will be guided in partnership by the GHTA (Gift and Home Trade Association) and The Chicago Market, with stops at multiple retail stores. Meet the people behind the success in these vibrant Independent and Specialty businesses. See the latest in Home, Gourmet and Accessories, and even a place to find your favorite pet a gift! Enjoy appetizers, beer and wine as you travel on a trolley ride. RSVP required. Space is limited and first come, first serve.

To RSVP, please visit http://www.shopchicagomarket.com/shopchicagomarket/index.cfm/events/

specific questions regarding this event, please contact Debra Egli at degli@mmart.com or call 312-451-6429.

THE CHICAGO MARKET SHOW HOURS

THURS, July 28 – FRI, July 29

Showrooms: 9 am – 6 pm | Floors 13, 14

SAT, July 30 – SHOP LATE NIGHT!

Showrooms: 9 am – 8 pm | Floors 13, 14

Temporaries and Beckman’s™ Handcrafted Show: 9 am – 6 pm | Floor 8

SUN, July 31 – MON, August 1

Showrooms: 9 am – 6 pm | Floors 13, 14

Temporaries and Beckman’s™ Handcrafted Show: 9 am – 6 pm | Floor 8

TUES, August 2

Showrooms: 9 am – 6 pm | Floors 13, 14

Temporaries and Beckman’s™ Handcrafted Show: 9 am – 3 pm | Floor 8

WED, August 3

Showrooms: 9 am – 5 pm | Floors 13, 14

For more information on The Chicago Market, please visit

www.shopchicagomarket.com or call 800.677.6278 (MART).

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 the world’s leading owner and operator of showroom buildings and trade show facilities, bringing buyers and sellers together in more than 300 market events, trade and consumer shows and conferences each year.

MMPI manages The Merchandise Mart and 350 West Mart Center in Chicago; the Architects & Designers Building, 7 W New York, and Piers 92/94 in New York City; the Boston Design Center in Boston; the L.A. Mart in Los Angeles; the Washington Design Center in Washington DC; and Cleveland Medical Mart & Convention Center in Cleveland.

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.