Jun 4, 2007

Green Product Showcase Highlights Significance, Saleability of Environmentally Friendly Products

Atlanta – The world’s largest collection of gift and home furnishings product sets the stage for AmericasMart’s first showing of eco-friendly, sustainable source designs and lines from some of the most conscientious manufacturers on the planet—exclusively in the AmericasMart Green Product Showcase.

The AmericasMart Green Product Showcase makes its debut as a signature event during the July 10—18 Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market and the Atlanta International Area Rug Market with a select collection of more than 300 products—area rugs, apparel, gourmet, furniture and furnishings, gifts and decorative accessories—in a variety of price points and designs.

All entries were selected based on their: use of environmentally-friendly products/ingredients, bio-degradability, responsible use of sourcing and manufacturing, use of certified organic, pesticide-free low toxicity materials, utilization of renewable resources, etc. All products were submitted exclusively by July summer Market permanent and temporary exhibitors.

Laura Turner Seydel—renowned ecological activist and philanthropist and daughter of CNN founder Ted Turner—will make a special appearance during the Friday, July 13 (4:30-5:30 p.m.) grand opening celebration and ribbon cutting. Turner Seydel serves as founder of the Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper Fund, trustee of the Turner and Jane Smith Turner Foundations, as well as Chairman of the Board of the Captain Planet Foundation, a nonprofit that funds school-based environmental initiatives. She also sits on numerous boards including Earth Share Georgia, The Nature Conservancy of Georgia and the North Georgia Water Planning District Board.

Most recently, after years of earth-friendly living and passionate community involvement, she and her husband Rutherford Seydel built their dream home—Atlanta’s Eco Manor—the Southeast’s first LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Designs)-certified single family home. For more information on Eco Manor, please visit ecomanor.com.

The AmericasMart Green Product Showcase will open for buyers Wednesday, July 11 through Monday, July 16, 9 a.m.—5 p.m. in AmericasMart, floor 12, 1201. Stylish, eco-friendly bags—made in the U.S. and constructed of 100% organic cotton canvas—will be available to retailers exclusively and are offered on a first-come, first-served basis.

For more information on AmericasMart Atlanta and its annual markets, please call 1-800-ATL-MART or visit AmericasMart.com.