Daily News
From Home Furnishing Business
Casual Market Sets Slate of Events
September 5,
2013 by in Market 
The opening night party will feature a festive “Backyard BBQ” party hosted on the South Drive of the Merchandise Mart along the scenic Chicago River, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 6-7:30 p.m. The event is being planned to create a new opportunity for networking with industry peers, buyers, customers and media representatives.
“The ‘Backyard BBQ’ party will enable manufacturers, retailers, buyers, designers, and others in attendance to network in a more relaxed setting, and will provide an additional real-life exhibit opportunity for sponsors,” said Jaclyn Kelly , senior director of marketing for the International Casual Furniture & Accessories Market/MMPI. “The event will showcase sponsors’ outdoor furniture, accessories, fire pits, and grills in action. Exhibiting sponsors will burn their grills and light their fire pits, demonstrating the products in full use.”
This networking event is hosted by MMPI and sponsored by Hearth & Home magazine. The event’s Lounge Furniture and Open Flame Product Showcase sponsors include Ebel Inc.; Saber Grills LLC; OW Lee; Terra Flame Home; and Urban Fire. Each participating company will display new 2014 products, and light hors d’oeuvres and cocktails will be served.
The 2013 Casual Market also features a special presentation for dealers and retailers to learn how to increase store traffic. In panel format, “Driving Traffic to your Store,” is a seminar designed to outline strategic ways of creating in-store sales promotions and improving store images and effective methods of customer engagement, all of which can lead to increased sales.
The panelists include Jack Wills of Jack Wills Outdoor Living, Tulsa, Okla.; Keith Guidry of Percy Guidry Hearth & Patio, Metairie, La.; and Doug Sanicola of Outdoor Elegance, La Verne, Calif. The panel will be moderated by Richard Wright, editor of Hearth & Home magazine. “Driving Traffic to your Store” will be held Tuesday, Sept. 17, at 3 p.m., in room 8A, 8th floor.