Jun 24, 2021

In-person events, celebrations and new amenities return to Atlanta Market

International Market Centers (IMC) announced the much anticipated return of in-person events and celebrations with a schedule of industry parties, culinary demonstrations and expanded amenities set for the July 13-19, 2021 staging at AmericasMart Atlanta.

“With market attendance and activity returning to more ‘normal’ conditions, we are delighted to resume the live education, networking and industry celebrations that are a hallmark of the market experience,” said Dorothy Belshaw, IMC executive vice president, chief marketing and customer officer. “We will celebrate industry reconnection in Atlanta Market style with an opening night party, daily networking events and the relaunch of our one-of-a-kind Demonstration Kitchen. We also will introduce a new series of free buyer amenities to address current market transportation needs.”

Kick-off party and Demonstration Kitchen reopening

The Market Kick-Off Party on Wednesday, July 14 offers a long-awaited opportunity for the industry to gather again. Open to all market attendees, the Kick-Off party will feature entertainment and complimentary light bites and drinks beginning at 3 p.m. in the Building 3, Floor 2 atrium. The celebration continues Thursday through Saturday with free daily happy hours from 3 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. in the atrium.

Atlanta Market’s popular Demonstration Kitchen in Building 2, Floor 8 reopens with a live demonstration and book signing by tastemaker and author Danny Seo, publisher and co-principal of Rue magazine and editor-in-chief of Naturally Danny Seo who will prepare a new dessert recipe from his Naturally Delicious Desserts cookbook on Thursday, July 15 at 11 a.m.

Additional in-person experiences include at-market installations featuring a tribute to the 2021 Greeting Card Association LOUIE Award finalists in Building 2, Floor 2; a vignette of Market Snapshot finalists in Building 1, Floor 1; and instagrammable moments throughout Buildings 1, 2 and 3.

A welcoming experience from the market and the city

A new free shuttle to Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport and expanded free buyer parking make it easier for attendees to come to-and-from market. The airport shuttle leaves AmericasMart from the new bus terminal at Building 1 every hour on the hour from 1 – 7 p.m., July 14-17. Free buyer parking is available close to the AmericasMart campus in the Peachtree Center Garage (0.2 miles from Building 1 at 161 Peachtree Center Ave.) and American Cancer Society Building (connected by bridge to Building 3 at 112 Baker St NW) July 13-19 on a first-come first served basis until full. For more information about travel and parking, visit AtlantaMarket.com/Attend/Travel.

Atlanta Market’s buyers’ lounges return, with sponsorship by Juniper, IMC’s new fully integrated omnichannel B2B e-commerce platform launching in 2021. Buyers can use the lounges, located in Building 1, Floor 6 and Building 2, Floor 8, for meetings, networking and taking a break from market. In the lounges, buyers can learn more about the Juniper platform, pre-register for the JuniperMarket and pick up branded swag items.

Adding to the market excitement are expanded pedestrian spaces and a new outdoor art exhibit planned for the iconic Peachtree Street in front of Building 1. The expanded pedestrian space extends the sidewalk for three blocks in front of AmericasMart to create more opportunities to gather and travel on foot to nearby hotels, restaurants, shops and attractions. The art installation is a chalk art street mural designed to celebrate and welcome market attendees.

“Through our Atlanta NEXT physical updates, we’re improving the arrival experience – from transportation and street-level into the building– as well as the at-market experience to show attendees how much we value them and how excited we are to see them again in person,” adds Belshaw.

Atlanta Market is the industry’s premier gift, décor and lifestyle market. Housing the nation’s largest gift product mix complemented by a broad selection of home décor, it features more than 8,000 brands across all categories. Held semi-annually at AmericasMart Atlanta, Atlanta Market attracts retailers and designers from every U.S. state and more than 60 countries. For more information, visit AtlantaMarket.com.