Jul 2, 2012

California Gift Show Announces Schedule of Showroom and Exhibitor Events at L.A. Mart and Los Angeles Convention Center

As the July 2012 Market approaches, California Gift Show (CGS) continues to build strong momentum with L.A. Mart® permanent showrooms and temporary exhibitors at Los Angeles Convention Center’s South Hall Gift and Kentia Global Marketplace announcing a full line-up of events, programs and activities. CGS will welcome retail buyers with in-showroom and in-booth experiences that will educate, inform, entertain, and most importantly provide the tools retailers need to better source, select, merchandise and sell the many unique lines debuting this Market.

A full seven day show schedule enhances cross-over between L.A. Mart showrooms and Los Angeles Convention Center exhibitors ensuring buyer access to an extensive array of manufacturer resources and the full line-up of many informative events, programs and activities. California Gift Show’s temporary exhibition at Los Angeles Convention Center is produced in partnership with MMPI and Urban Expositions.

“We are very excited to see so many of our showrooms and exhibitors once again participating with interesting events and product demonstrations,” said Jeff Sampson, vice president vice president of marketing, California Gift Show/L.A. Mart. “Educating buyers on the unique selling points of a particular product is an important added value our manufacturers provide to their retail customers seeking differentiation in their merchandise mix.”

To better inform attendees prior to arrival, CGS debuts Upfront … a new e-magazine featuring essential show details guiding buyers through the entire Market experience. Upfront focuses on the numerous show specials and events offered by showrooms and exhibitors that benefit retailers as they determine their buying needs. A colorful, user-friendly guide e-distributed to 45,000 buyers and designers, Upfrontprovides attendees the opportunity to pre-plan their schedules in advance of the show.

EVENTS, PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES HIGHLIGHTS (partial list)

Tea Time
Gus Dallas, Ltd, L.A. Mart, Suite 870
July 25, 27, 30 | 3 – 5 pm
Now Designs highlights their new line of English manufactured teapots. A proper afternoon tea will be served.

Meet the Giving Keys
Remembrance/GRACE by Catherine Sullivan, L.A. Mart, Suite 330
July 26 | 2 – 4 pm
Meet actress, singer and songwriter Caitlin Crosby, whose jewelry line, The Giving Keys, employs people trying to transition out of homelessness. Caitlin was chosen as a spokesperson for Oprah’s top 10 favorite charities for O Magazine’s 10 year anniversary/Live Your Best Life events and is a contributing blogger for The Huffington Post.

How to Go Big With the Hottest Gift Category: Fashion Accessories
Presented by Marcia Miller, I Love Bracelets
Collective Home, L.A. Mart, Suite 700 | Seminar in Suite 760
July 26 | 2 pm
Learn how to turn three feet of space into the biggest money making area of your store. Marcia will share the secrets of “fashion made easy,” with three simple steps to making money with jewelry. Make an appointment with your rep to receive a free pair of earrings while supplies last. First come, first served.

Soiree Wine Tasting
Debi Wise and Associates, L.A. Mart, Suite 803
July 26 | 4 – 6 pm
July 27 | 4 – 8 pm
Join Soiree Wine Decanter co-creator Marshall Coffy for a wine tasting that demonstrates why the Soiree aerator is one of the bestselling in the market, and the only aerator to be endorsed by ZAGAT.

Creating Extraordinary Arrangements
Collective Home, L.A. Mart, Suite 700
July 28 | 10 am – 3 pm
Create custom designs for the holidays with Shelly Kuri, owner and designer of Ivy Guild, and learn how to differentiate your store with extraordinary arrangements. Made in California, these lovely botanicals delight and last forever.

Lynn Mitchell Group 10 Year Anniversary Celebration
Delectables for a Decade
Lynn Mitchell Group, L.A. Mart, Suite 856
July 28 | 3 pm
Celebrate Lynn Mitchell Group’s 10 year anniversary with a special celebration. Come toast to the continued success of the showroom, home to a unique roster of stationery, accessories and other profitable lines. A celebratory delectables-dessert bar will delight guests. A gift basket will be raffled off to one lucky customer.

Masterpiece Giveaway
Affordable Art Mart, Los Angeles Convention Center, Space 818
Daily
Bringing you exquisite treasures from around the world, these handcrafted masterpieces are of the highest quality at affordable prices. Ask us about our daily giveaway. Drawing held daily at 2 pm.

Styled & Organized Giveaway
The Gipsy Bag, Los Angeles Convention Center, Space 1311
Daily
Announcing the first ever stylish handbag organizer to contain daily life! To celebrate our official launch at the California Gift Show, we are giving away a free organizer of your choice. Stop by to enter for a chance to win.
Drawing held on July 30 at 2 pm.

Horseshoe Collection Debut
Lauren Harkness – Hand Made Luxury, Los Angeles Convention Center, Space 1329
All Day
Meet the artist and designer of Lauren Harkness – Hand Made Luxury during the debut of the Horseshoe Collection. Binding the masculine power and feminine wiles into graceful expression, be the unified you when you wear this collection.

Nuno Felting Demonstration
CDD Silhouettes, Los Angeles Convention Center, Space 1332
12 Noon Daily
Learn about nuno felt fabric from Cedide Olcay, artist and designer of CDD Silhouettes, and witness how this line of art-to-wear clothing and accessories is made. See, feel and buy the best creative samples of clothing and accessories made using this amazing technique.

Daily Dose: Demos + Raffles
Tag UR Funnybelt, Los Angeles Convention Center, Space 1641
Daily
New to California Gift Show, Tag UR Funnybelt is hosting daily demonstrations and raffle giveaways! Enter for a chance to win a belt with matching iPhone case. Winners selected daily at 2 pm. Express yourself with Tag UR Funnybelt!

TWO SHOW LOCATIONS FEATURE FIVE DESTINATION MARKETS
California Gift Show presents two incomparable exhibition locations featuring five distinctive markets all within convenient proximity.

CGS at L.A. MART

Gift + Home Showrooms Feature a broad selection of premium product lines, from custom manufactured to nationally branded gift, home and lifestyle merchandise. L.A. Mart caters to thousands of retail buyers and interior designers year-round. Showroom events include new product demonstrations, special appearances, open houses and more. For the full schedule visitwww.californiagiftshow.com

Design Center Showrooms Southern California’s singular, comprehensive source for nationally branded, designer licensed and custom manufactured furniture and accessories, defining today’s West Coast lifestyle and the modern, well-designed home.

CGS at LOS ANGELES CONVENTION CENTER

South Hall Gift and Beckman’s Handcrafted Show™ L.A.
Presenting an extensive collection of contemporary and traditional gift resources including fashion accessories, gourmet, seasonal, garden & home, kids, spa, gift, resort and stationery, special focus is given to emerging products unique to California that inspire consumer trends worldwide.

Beckman’s Handcrafted L.A.Fresh and functional artisanal products offering contemporary apparel and jewelry to classic home accents.

Kentia Global Marketplace and the Fair Trade Pavilion
An international exhibitor mix featuring original artifacts, ethnographic art, home décor, accessories and fair trade merchandise among a collective of World Style, Jewelry (cash+carry), Vintage offerings and aFair Trade Pavilion. In economic partnership with the Fair Trade Federation (www.fairtradefederation.org), CGS will present exhibitors who promote Fair Trade in a dedicated pavilion area.

BUYER AMENITIES

Buyers Lounge at L.A. Mart Offering complimentary coffee and computer stations with internet access and seating to relax and refresh during Market.

Late Night Shopping at L.A. Mart Extended shopping hours on Friday, July 27, from 6 pm – 8 pm, including food, drinks and entertainment throughout L.A. Mart’s permanent Gift + Home and Design Center showrooms.

Free Inter-venue Transportation Complimentary shuttle service between select host hotels, L.A. Mart and Los Angeles Convention center.

Free Parking Present your badge and photo I.D. at L.A. Mart registration for free parking at L.A. Mart’s South and East lots (while space permits).

Dining Market Café offers California fare including salads, sandwiches, beverages and sweets available in L.A. Mart’s Main Lobby and 9th Floor bistro, with additional options from a collection of Southern California’s finest food trucks. Explore additional dining selections at the Convention Center in both South Hall and Kentia Hall. Concierge Service Available to make your visit as productive as possible, the concierge service is your personal guide to assist with any questions regarding showroom and exhibitor locations, product lines and show events.

2012 CALENDAR SCHEDULE

JULY
California Gift Show Dates and Hours
Wednesday, July 25 – Tuesday, July 31
L.A. Mart Showrooms: 25 – 31
Hours: Monday – Thursday and Saturday – Tuesday: 9 am – 6 pm
Friday, Late Night Shopping: 9 am – 8 pm

Los Angeles Convention Center Temporaries: 27 – 30
South Hall Gift I Beckman’s Handcrafted Show L.A. I Kentia Global
Marketplace
Hours: Friday – Sunday: 9 am – 6pm
Monday: 9 am – 4 pm

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER
L.A. Mart Fall Gift + Home Market
Sunday, September 30 – Tuesday, October 2
Hours: 9 am – 5 pm

NOVEMBER
L.A. Mart Fall Gift + Home Sample Sale
Thursday, November 8 – Friday, November 9
Hours: 9 am – 5 pm

MARKET TUESDAYS
Each Tuesday of every month, L.A. Mart permanent showrooms will be opened and offer seasonal specials, sneak peeks at new products, meet & greets with manufacturers and reps, and much more.
Hours: 9 am – 5 pm

August 7, 14, 21, 28
September 4, 11, 18, 25
October 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
November 6, 13, 20, 27
December 4, 11, 18, 25

For a complete listing of CGS show information, please visit: www.californiagiftshow.com. For information on L.A. Mart Gift + Home, visit www.lamart/gift.com. Image downloads are available at:www. pressroom.mmart.com/cgs/image-gallery/ and at www.facebook.com/californiagiftshow

ABOUT L.A. MART and CALIFORNIA GIFT SHOW
L.A. Mart® is a registered trademark of MMPI. California Gift Show® is a registered trademark of MMPI. Beckman’s Handcrafted Show™ L.A. is a registered trademark of MMPI. L.A. Mart is home to nearly 200 permanent year-round, residential, decorative accessory and gift showrooms serving the retail and interior design industries. California Gift Show Temporaries feature 800 temporary exhibitors of lifestyle merchandise, home décor and furnishings at Los Angeles Convention Center, making CGS the preeminent Market for gift and home furnishings products on the West Coast. L.A. Mart is located at 1933 South Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90007. For more information call 213-763-5800 or visitwww.californiagiftshow.com or www.lamart.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; Architects & Designers Building and 7 W New York in New York; Boston Design Center in Boston; L.A. Mart in Los Angeles; and Washington Design Center and Federal Center Southwest in Washington D.C.

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