FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contacts:
Eberly & Collard Public Relations, 404-574-2900
Don Eberly, deberly@eberlycollardpr.com
HGTV Celebrity and National Consumer Magazine Editors to Speak
at International Casual Furniture & Accessories Market, Chicago Merchandise Mart
Better Homes & Gardens, Garden Design, Traditional Home, Coastal Living, and Veranda magazines as
well as HGTV are part of a full schedule of seminars and events for this year’s Casual Market.
Chicago – August 3, 2012 – Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc. (MMPI) today announced a high-level lineup of speakers and events being planned for this year’s International Casual Furniture & Accessories
Market™, which will be held Sept. 20-23, 2012, at the Chicago Merchandise Mart. The four-day market
event will feature HGTV’s John Gidding; esteemed editors from national, consumer home and garden
publications; and a selection of other complimentary educational and networking events for exhibitors and
attendees.
HGTV personality and acclaimed designer, John Gidding, will present this year's Casual Market keynote
presentation, entitled “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
will also 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. CDT in room 8A, 8 th floor.
A new addition to this year’s 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
Market’s 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,” says 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 on
Friday, Sept. 21 at 10 a.m. in room 8A, 8th floor.
Networking events will also 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 year’s show
at the “First Time Attendee Welcome Gathering.”
Also, on Thursday, Sept. 20, the “Market Welcome Party” will take place, where exhibitors and showgoers can enjoy cocktails and hors d’oeuvres as well as network with fellow industry professionals from 6
p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at the Market Suites on the 8th floor.
- Continued -
Saturday, Sept. 22 will boast two exciting events. At 9:30 a.m., in room 8A on the 8th floor, retailers will
have a chance to learn merchandising strategies, techniques and tips on a budget. This seminar is
entitled, “Five Budget-Friendly Ways to Refresh, Revitalize & Renovate Your Patio Store NOW!” It 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.
Then, beginning at 1:30 p.m. in the same room, Casual Living magazine will host a panel of experts who
have successfully used social media to build brand awareness. During, “Proven Social Media Success for
Home Furnishings Businesses,” the 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 coveted Manufacturer of the Year Award. Hosted by the ICFA, this year’s
awards reception will take place on Friday, Sept. 21, 2012 from 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m., at the School of the
Art Institute of Chicago’s 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 Award honorees
will be recognized by the ICFA,” says Kelly.
Hosted by the ICFA and MMPI, the Apollo Awards Banquet will take place on Saturday, Sept. 22, 2012,
beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the Field Museum in Stanley Field Hall. This event is by invitation only, and
tickets are required.
For more information about events taking place at Casual Market, visit www.casualmarket.com.
The International Casual Furniture & Accessories Market is a four-day trade show that provides retailers
with an outlet to find all things related to outdoor and casual living. Featuring the latest products and
trends in the industry, the Casual Market averages approximately 250 temporary exhibitors and
permanent showrooms, totaling approximately 350,000 square feet of overall exhibit in The Chicago
Merchandise Mart.
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About MMPI:
MMPI is a leading owner and operator of integrated showroom and office buildings, as well as trade show
facilities, bringing buyers and sellers together through market events, trade and consumer shows, and
conferences each year.
MMPI manages The Merchandise Mart in Chicago; the Architects & Designers Building, 7 W New York
and Piers 92/94 in New York City; and Cleveland Medical Mart & Convention Center in Cleveland.
Vornado Realty Trust, owners of 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.
Notes to Editors: Members of the media may seek supplemental information, photos and advanced
interviews with exhibitors, MMPI representatives, and key industry leaders by contacting Eberly & Collard
Public Relations at the telephone number or email address at top of this release.