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Casual Market Sets Slate of Events
August 8,
2012 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in on August 9, 2012
Merchandise Mart Properties has set speakers and events for the Sept. 20-23 International Casual Furniture & Accessories Market at the Chicago Merchandise Mart.
The four-day market event will feature HGTVs John Gidding; editors from national, consumer home and garden publications; and a selection of other complimentary educational and networking events for exhibitors and attendees.
John Gidding, an HGTV personality and acclaimed designer, will present this year's Casual Market keynote presentation, titled Turn Up the Curb Appeal for Great Outdoor Spaces. In his talk, Gidding will share information about his professional design background and experiences creating outdoor living spaces for his clients and HGTV fans. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn tips about outdoor room and backyard design, and the importance of curb appeal. The keynote will also cover designing and furnishing the front of the house, giving retailers insights to help sell customers on this key outdoor space. Gidding also will speak about today's trends and the importance of accessories to enhance outdoor spaces. The keynote presentation will take place on Thursday, Sept. 20 at 3 p.m. in room 8A, 8th floor.
A new addition to this years show is a Consumer Media Panel Session. Editors from top national, consumer publications will participate in a panel discussion to share their professional expertise on a variety of topics. Don Eberly and Jeff Collard, co-owners of Eberly & Collard Public Relations, the Casual Markets public relations firm, will moderate the panel to include outdoor room design, outdoor furniture and accessory trends, and relatable insights from the panelists editorial research and writing.
The panelists will also provide a brief overview of themes they tend to cover in their magazines, what they look for when sourcing content, and pertinent editorial topics they may be planning in the coming year, said Jaclyn Kelly, senior director of marketing for the International Causal Furniture & Accessories Market/MMPI.
The panel consists of five major consumer magazine editors, including Kit Selzer, senior home editor at Better Homes & Gardens; Jodi Bech, publisher at Garden Design; Amy Elbert, senior architecture editor at Traditional Home; Amy Mitchell, managing editor at Coastal Living; and Eugenia Santiesteban Soto, style director at Veranda. The session, Inspired Exteriors: Consumer Media Panel, will take place Friday, Sept. 21 at 10 a.m. in room 8A, 8th floor.
Networking events also will take place during the Casual Market. On Thursday, Sept. 20 at 11 a.m., first-time market attendees will have the opportunity to gain tips on how to make the most of this years show at the First Time Attendee Welcome Gathering.
Also, on Thursday, Sept. 20, the Market Welcome Party will offer exhibitors and show-goers cocktails and hors doeuvres and an opportunity to network with fellow industry professionals, 6-7:30 p.m. at the Market Suites on the 8th floor.
Saturday, Sept. 22 will boasts two events. At 9:30 a.m., in room 8A on the 8th floor, retailers can learn merchandising strategies, techniques and tips on a budget. This seminar, titled Five Budget-Friendly Ways to Refresh, Revitalize & Renovate Your Patio Store NOW!, will be offered by Hearth & Home magazine and presented by Linda Cahan, an internationally recognized visual merchandising expert. Sponsors include Agio, Sunbrella and Lloyd Flanders.
Beginning at 1:30 p.m. Saturday in the same room, Casual Living magazine will host Proven Social Media Success for Home Furnishings Businesses, a panel of experts who have successfully used social media to build brand awareness. Panelists will share insights on where to focus efforts in the rapidly evolving world of social media, and they will answer questions about implementing the tactics that are discussed. This event is presented by Casual Living magazine and sponsored by Telescope Casual Furniture.
Two awards events will be held at Casual Market. The ICFA Awards Reception will highlight the presentation of the Design Excellence Category Award winners and announcement of the Lillian B. Winchester Best of Show Award. The ICFA Sales Representative of the Year Award will also be presented along with the Manufacturer of the Year Award. Hosted by the ICFA, this years awards reception will take place Friday, Sept. 21, 6:30-8 p.m., at the School of the Art Institute of Chicagos Ballroom. This event is for ICFA members and invited guests.
The Apollo Awards Banquet will celebrate influential contributions made by industry leaders. Finalists who were previously nominated by ICFA-member companies, based on sales management, advertising, display, growth, sales training, and overall goals of each company, will be acknowledged.
Top retailers in single- and multi-store categories will be honored, and the 2012 Lifetime Achievement Ward honorees will be recognized by the ICFA, said Kelly.
Hosted by the ICFA and MMPI, the Apollo Awards Banquet will take place Saturday, Sept. 22, beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the Field Museum in Stanley Field Hall. This event is by invitation only, and tickets are required.