Dec 16, 2014

AmericasMart Presents Comprehensive Market Programming in January 2015

AmericasMart® celebrates the dynamism of the home, gift and rug industry with presentations, celebrations and gatherings at The Atlanta International Gift and Home Furnishings Market® (Showrooms: Tuesday, January 6 – Tuesday, January 13; Temporaries: Thursday, January 8 – Monday, January 12) and The Atlanta International Area Rug Market®featuring the National Oriental Rug Show sponsored by The Oriental Rug Importers Association (ORIA) (Showrooms: Wednesday, January 7 – Saturday, January 10; Temporaries: Thursday, January 8 – Saturday, January 10).

Industry experts, TV stars and authors including David Tutera, Jamie Durie, “Good Morning America” gift expert Tory Johnson, Paula Deen, Chef Jeff Mauro, Chef Will Brown, James Farmer, Bobby McAlpine, Susan Ferrier and Laurie Pressman, vice president of the Pantone Color Institute and more lead engaging discussions supplemented by business education programming in The Education Center and rug-focused programming presented in partnership with the Oriental Rug Retailers Association (ORRA).

Highlighted by events such as the Party on Peachtree 2015 benefiting Gift for Life and Young Gift Executives on January 8, America’s Magnificent Carpets® Awards on January 10 and celebrations for the opening of the bridge connecting Buildings 1 and 2 on Floor 6 (January 7) and the new HOME & DESIGN collection on Building 1 Floor 15 (January 10), a day-by-day guide to Market events is as follows:

TUESDAY, JANUARY 6–TUESDAY, JANUARY 13

STA Designs: Always Stylish Showcase

Market Hours | Building 1, Floor 14, Room 14-D-7

Design inspirations from Stan Topol & Associates.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7–SATURDAY, JANUARY 10

Museum of Introductions (MOI) Gallery

9 a.m.–5 p.m. | Building 1, Floor 4, Room 4-B-1

The rug and home industry’s exclusive showing of new product introductions in a sophisticated museum setting.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7

BBQ- From Down Home to Gourmet Dining

Presented by Todd Richards of The Pig & The Pearl and The Shed at Glenwood

11 a.m. | Building 2, Floor 8, MADHOUSE – Michael Aram/Elise Demonstration Kitchen

Atlanta chef Richards gives culinary tips ranging how to use different BBQ rubs to discovering alternative to cabbage slaw.

New Bridge Grand Opening

3 p.m. | Building 1, Floor 6

A ribbon cutting and champagne toast launching the new Floor 6 bridge.

Field Peas to Foie Gras: Southern Recipes with a French Accent

Presented by Chef Jennifer Hill Booker

4 p.m. | Building 2, Floor 8, MADHOUSE – Michael Aram/Elise Demonstration Kitchen

With a culinary foundation built on her Mississippi roots and a farm-to-table concept, executive chef, cooking instructor and author Booker, believes that “food should taste like food”.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 8

THE EDUCATION CENTER

Manage Your Social Media (And Your Sanity)

Presented by Shelly Brown of Inspiringly Social

10 a.m. | Building 1, Floor 10, Room 1003

Brown shares simple tips to help you effectively manage your social media in just a few minutes a day.

New Harmonies: Changing Themes in Color and Design Trends for the Home in 2015

Presented by Laurie Pressman, VP, Pantone Color Institute

11 a.m. | Building 1, Floor 14, Seminar Room

Pressman reveals the key color trends for 2015 and shares an inside glimpse into the selection of Pantone’s 2015 Color of the Year.

Keeping It Real in the Kitchen with Jeff Mauro

Presented by Jeff Mauro of Food Network’s The Kitchen and The Sandwich King

Noon | Building 2, Floor 8, MADHOUSE- Michael Aram/Elise Demonstration Kitchen

Known for his energetic personality and his passion for good food, Chef Mauro promises fun, laughter and tasty bites.

THE EDUCATION CENTER

How to Run a Successful Retail Shop

Presented by Mercedes Gonzales of Global Purchasing

1 p.m. | Building 1, Floor 10, Room 1003

A crash course designed from an 8-hour workshop to highlight the most important key factors in running a retail shop.

The Unique Rug Forum- The Future of the Rug Business

1:30 p.m. | Building 1, Floor 4, 4-G-7

An informal presentation and panel discussion with Rob Leahy, Jim Garner and Frank Eways Jr.

A “Natural” Way to Grow Your Business

Presented by Mel Toellner of Gold Crest

2 p.m. | Building 2, Floor 10, Seminar Room

Bird Man Toellner helps retailers evaluate market potential in wild birds and backyard nature products, including discussion on choosing, merchandising and promoting products.

Make It Memorable: Building Your Brand in the Digital World

Moderated by Marisa Marcantonio of “Stylebeat Design Blog”

Panelists include Lindsey Coral Harper of LCH Interiors, Mac Hoak of Mecox Gardens and Elizabeth Blitzer of Blitzer & Company

3 p.m. | Building 1, Floor 14, Seminar Room

Industry expert Marcantonio presents a lively panel discussion on creating and building a successful brand image by harnessing the power of the new digital age in design.

THE EDUCATION CENTER

Creating the Ultimate Sales Team

Presented by Mercedes Gonzales of Global Purchasing

3 p.m. | Building 1, Floor 10, Room 1003

Gonzales teaches the five key training points every successful retailer should know for closing and increasing sales.

ORRA’s New Look…Our Mission, Logo and Educational Programs…A Virtual Approach

3:30 p.m. | Building 1, Floor 4, 4-G-7

ORRA’s board and other members discuss where the organization has been, new developments and how it is going to get there.

Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler (Let The Good Times Roll!)

Presented by Chef Will Brown of Food Network’s Cutthroat Kitchen

4:00 p.m. | Building 2, Floor 8, MADHOUSE- Michael Aram/Elise Demonstration Kitchen

Food Network chef and restaurateur Brown of Will’s Way Creole Kitchen, leads a celebration of great, authentic Creole dishes.

Party On Peachtree 2015

6:30 p.m. | 200 Peachtree

The industry’s newest event benefiting Gift for Life/DIFFA and the philanthropic endeavors of the Young Gift Executives. Hosted by AmericasMart Atlanta with presenting sponsor Poo-Pourri. $65

FRIDAY, JANUARY 9

THE EDUCATION CENTER

A Retailers Guide to Beginning Blogging

Presented by Shelly Brown of Inspiringly Social

10 a.m. | Building 1, Floor 10, Room 1003

Brown shares the ins and outs of blogging to increase sales and build customer relationships.

Meet and Greet with ORRA Board members.

10:00 a.m. | Building 1, Floor 4, 4-G-7

ORRA’s new president, Rob Leahy, CRA, ORRA senior advisor Rich Amatulli and other board members share what’s new for ORRA in 2014.

Knot To Be Missed

Presented by Phil Menendian, Mark Keshishian and Michael Joseph with a panel of member rug appraisers.

10:30 a.m. | Building 1, Floor 4, 4-G-7

ORRA continues this popular program geared toward our on-going efforts to educate its members.

Gilt by Association

Presented by noted architect, Bobby McAlpine and interior design partner, Susan Ferrier

11 a.m. | Building 1, Floor 14, Seminar Room

The famed design team discusses the principles that guide their firm’s work celebrated for its nuanced and sensual aesthetic.

A Time to Plant

Presented by James Farmer of James Farmer Designs

11 a.m. | Building 2, Floor 4, Seminar Area

A vital young voice in the gardening scene, Farmer teaches a new generation of Southerners to love gardening and to make it a focal point of their lifestyle.

Cooking in the Social Era & On Trend

Presented by Chadwick Boyd of Lovely and Delicious Blog

Noon­ | Building 2, Floor 8, MADHOUSE- Michael Aram/Elise Demonstration Kitchen

Boyd teaches how to use social channels such as Instagram to provide visuals for upselling and increasing followers.

The Maker Movement: The Next Industrial Revolution?

Moderated by Joanne Domeniconi, Co-Founder of The Grommet

Panelists include Neil Miller of Museum of Design Atlanta and Cassius Butts, Regional Manager, U.S. Small Business Association.

1 p.m. | Building 1, Floor 14, Seminar Room

The Maker Movement puts power in the hands of the people to fund, design, prototype, produce, manufacture, distribute, market and sell their own goods. Thought leaders shy why they think The Maker Movement could enable the next industrial revolution in a panel discussion.

THE EDUCATION CENTER

How to Use Instagram to Promote Your Products

Presented by Shelly Brown of Inspiringly Social

1 p.m. | Building 1, Floor 10, Room 1003

Instagram has evolved from a simple photo-sharing app to a key sales channel for retailers. Brown teaches how to use Instagram to gain brand recognition and reach new customers.

1:30p.m.

Walking the Market with Phil Menendian, Education Chairman

1 p.m. | Building 1, Floor 2, ORRA Booth

DESIGN + EMOTION = SALES

Presented by Jamie Durie of HGTV’s The Outdoor Room

2 p.m. | Building 2, Floor 10, Seminar Room

Durie shares simple design tools and concepts that create emotional environments for customers that increase sales.

How to Land Your Product on TV

Presented by Tory Johnson, ABC’s Good Morning America Gift Expert

3 p.m. | Building 2, Floor 9, Seminar Room

Johnson evaluates hundreds of products for possible inclusion on her weekly local and national TV segments. In this session, she shares what she looks for and why, how to best pitch for high profile coverage, and the warning signs of coverage that might not be ideal.

Cooking in the Social Era & On Trend

Presented by Chadwick Boyd of Lovely and Delicious Blog

3 p.m. | Building 2, Floor 3, Seminar Area

Boyd again teaches how to use social channels such as Instagram to provide visuals for upselling and increasing followers.

America’s Magnificent Carpets® Awards

6 p.m. | The Westin Peachtree Plaza

The rug and home industry’s signature event, recognizing the newest area rug introductions in a night of dreams, imagination and artistry.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 10

Breakfast of Champions

10 a.m. | Building 1, Floor 4, Room 4-B-1

A breakfast recognizing the winners of America’s Magnificent Carpets® Awards with the winning rugs on display.

Entertaining at Home with David Tutera

Presented by Celebrity Wedding & Entertaining Expert David Tutera

10 a.m. | Building 2, Floor 9, Seminar Room

Artistic visionary Tutera shares tips, trends and secrets for transforming the ordinary into the extraordinary when entertaining at home.

Meet and Greet with Paula Deen

10 a.m. | Building 2, Floor 2

Decorating Your Home for the Holidays with David Tutera

Presented by Celebrity Wedding & Entertaining Expert David Tutera

12:30 p.m. | Building 1, Floor 14, Seminar Room

Tutera teaches how to transform any home for the holiday season with secrets and tips on adding personality with seasonal décor and home product.

VERTICALITY

Presented by Jamie Durie of HGTV’s The Outdoor Room

2 p.m. | Building 2, Floor 4

Durie discusses vertical gardens and other design trends.

Cooking with Paula Deen

2:30 p.m. | Building 2, Floor 8, MADHOUSE – Michael Aram/Elise Demonstration Kitchen

The queen of Southern cuisine shares some of her favorite dishes.

ABOUT AMERICASMART

AmericasMart Atlanta is the nation’s only global wholesale marketplace housing the world’s single-largest collection of home, gift, area rug and apparel merchandise. The largest of AmericasMart’s 14 annual Markets and shows, The Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market and The Atlanta International Area Rug Market in January and July are the ignition switch for global retailing with buyers from every U.S. state and as many as 90 countries discovering product in more than 1,400 showrooms and more than 2,500 temporary exhibiting companies. ICON HONORS, the home and gift industry’s most celebrated recognition program, is produced and staged annually by AmericasMart.

Located in downtown Atlanta, the AmericasMart complex contains more than seven million square feet of space. It’s a huge global stage on which manufacturers, designers and sales representatives unveil new lines, launch new designs and introduce new categories – all for the benefit of buyers seeking all that is fresh and first in the home, rug, gift and apparel arenas. For more information, please visitwww.AmericasMart.com. Follow us @AmericasMartATL or @AtlantaApparel.