Jun 18, 2013

The Chicago Gift Market Announces July Event Lineup

Retail buyers can expect a robust and exhilarating schedule of sponsored market events, as well as exciting new product lines, while attending the Chicago Gift Market July 18-24 at the iconic Merchandise Mart.

his world-class market, known for its Midwest hospitality, will offer attendees an extraordinary line-up from new and established vendors across all categories including Gourmet, Beckman’s Handcraft, Design Centric, Emerging Artist, Fashion and Gift. The Chicago Gift Market continues to expand to help buyers differentiate their product mix. New exhibitors in these areas include Lincoln Park Beverage Co in Gourmet, Bearmojo in Emerging Artists, Pink Pewter in Fashion and Nail Candy in Gift.

Design Centric has been added as a curated destination for products with unique style, savvy design and inspired points-of-view. New brands include Marc Blackwell, No Monet and Suburban Silk/ Jax & Jack. Additionally, after 15 years, Handcrafted continues to be a must attend area by encompassing fresh and functional pieces from contemporary apparel and jewelry to classic home accents, all presented with a “meet the artist” focus and feel. Spero by Jacquelin Jrolf, Royal Britannia Trading, and Julie Sinden Handmade will be among the new designers showing in Handcrafted this market.

In order to offer the Chicago Gift Market attendees a comprehensive market experience, the Merchandise Mart will also be hosting a series of events to educate, entertain and inform the retail buyers.

SPECIAL EVENT HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:

TRENDwatch
Saturday, Sunday + Monday (July 20-22)
12:15-1:15 p.m.
8th Floor Café
Join us for a live model trend presentation during lunch in our 8th Floor Café – featuring apparel, accessories and gift products.

Gourmet Cocktail Hour
Saturday, Sunday + Monday (July 20-22)
3:00 – 5:00 p.m.
8th Floor – West Atrium
Be sure to stop by the Gourmet section of the 8th Floor for a $2 cocktail. 

Accelerate the Consumer Purchase Cycle with Social Media
Presented by Suzy Teele, COO of SnapRetail
Saturday, July 20
11:00 am Lunch and Learn
8th Floor Conference Room- 8A
Learn how to incorporate social media networks like Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Vine to accelerate the consumer purchasing cycle. See how you can turn social media into your number one sales source.

Pretzel Crisps Buyer’s Snack Break
Saturday, July 20
2pm
13th Floor
Enjoy a mid-day break with a tasty bag of Pretzel Crisps!

Late Night Shopping
Saturday, July 20
5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
13th Floor Showrooms
Join us to shop the 13th Floor showrooms while enjoying snacks, beer & wine.

Buying Basics
Coffee and Continental Breakfast
Sunday July 21
9:00 a.m.
13th Floor (South West Side)
Whether you are a seasoned retailer who is new to the Chicago Gift Market or a newcomer to the retail scene, Carol L Schroeder, co-owner of Orange Tree Imports and author of Specialty Shop Retailing; Everything You Need to Know to Run Your Own Store, will provide you with ideas that will make the rest of your market visit more productive.

The Power of Pinterest for Local Retailers
Presented by Suzy Teele, COO of SnapRetail Sunday, July 21
11:00 am Lunch and Learn
8th Floor Conference Room- 8A
Learn how to use the many features and capabilities of Pinterest to inspire your customers and become one with their lifestyle. They’ve already caught the Pinterest fever, and their only ailment is to spread your pins to similar shoppers.

Skinny Pop Buyer’s Snack Break
Sunday, July 21th
2pm
8th Floor
Come pick up a delicious bag of Skinny Pop for a quick snack

The Expanding Scope of Local
Presented by Kara Kaplan, co-founder of Giftbar
Monday, July 22
11:00 a.m. Lunch + Learn
8th Floor – Conference Room 8A
Join the co-founders of Giftbar for a high-level discussion about how the web and mobile are changing the way consumers shop locally, and how SMB’s are increasingly becoming an important element in the marketing landscape

EDITOR’S NOTE: to access the complete list of events, lines, showrooms and exhibitors please visit our website: http://www.chicagogiftmarket.com

The Chicago Market: is a trademark of Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc. (MMPI). Beckman’s Handcrafted ShowTM is a registered trademark of MMPI. The Chicago Gift Market is a quarterly wholesale tradeshow designed for store owners, retail buyers and designers. The market offers a wide array of quality products ranging from home accents and furniture to handcrafted 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.chicagogiftmarket.com.

Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc. (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 ; the Architects & Designers Building and 7 W New York in New York; the Boston Design Center in Boston; the L.A. Mart in Los Angeles; and the Washington Design Center in Washington D.C.

Vornado Realty Trust, owners of Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc. (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.