Winter SHOWTIME Fabric Market In High Point To Feature New Security Measures

Furniture World News

Showtime, the International Textile Market Association’s (ITMA) semiannual fabric market, will have increased security measures at its upcoming market Dec. 11-14. This past July at the ITMA’s membership meeting, concerns were raised about unauthorized people in showrooms. According to ITMA Director Catherine Morsell, the ITMA immediately addressed these concerns by implementing increased security measures. “We are always concerned about protecting the integrity of Showtime. Everyone is very on guard when it comes to intellectual property, so, we have put in place a few new measures to help ensure we do everything possible to protect our exhibitors’ design property. We want to make it as easy as possible for exhibitors to recognize buyers,” said Morsell. The new security measures are as follows: 1. Attendee’s badges will be distinctly different (larger and with additional color) than those of the exhibitors. 2. More security guards will be posted throughout the show. 3. Large bags will no longer be permitted on the floor during official show hours. Attendees with large bags will have access to any one of the four bag/coat check locations available during the show. Two are located in the Suites at Market Square and two are in the Market Square Textile Tower. 4. Buyers will no longer be permitted to linger on the temporary floor before or after official show hours. More Information on ITMA's Winter schedule For SHOWTIME: The International Textile Market Association (ITMA) will host its 32nd semiannual Showtime fabric market from noon Dec. 11 through 5 p.m. Dec. 14 in High Point. The show, which draws more than 2,500 participants, will feature exhibits by 221 of the ITMA’s 246 members. Companies from at least 17 countries worldwide will be present. The show will include 17 new exhibitors from the United States, Spain, India and Turkey. This show is the first to reflect the date changes the ITMA adopted for Showtime in January 2005. It was scheduled in mid-December to ease the transition into the new schedule. Beginning in 2006, Showtime will be held the first week of June and the first week of December. Although consumer sales have been affected by higher fuel prices and other economic issues, Showtime organizers anticipate an optimistic market and are excited about the impact of the date changes. “We have received a great deal of positive response to our date changes and do not believe they have negatively affected pre-registration,” said ITMA Director Catherine Morsell. “Attendance numbers at industry shows may not be what they once were and may never reach those highs again, but the customers who attend the shows are doing business.” In addition to fabric showings, Showtime will feature a “Stocking Stuffers” opening reception hosted by the ITMA and Furniture Today at 6 p.m. Dec. 11 at Stevens Steakhouse in Market Square. The event will include a welcome reception and a charity campaign to enlist stocking sponsors for the FOX 8 News/Toys for Tots “Stocking Stuffers” campaign. Sponsorship packages are available until Nov. 21. Interested companies should contact Furniture Today. The “InClub…The Inparty,” an event hosted by INFURNITURE and the ITMA will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Dec. 12 at Stevens Steakhouse in Market Square. A Fall/Winter 2006 Color and Trend seminar titled “The Environment of the Body Has Become One with the Environment of the Home” will be offered by Design Options, Inc. in space MS 278 both 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Dec. 13. The presentation will feature a trend perspective from Los Angeles, including visuals that illustrate the fusion of the apparel and home fashion markets. Participants will also get a preview of spring/summer 2007 trends. Registration is required. Participants can pre-register by contacting Cathy Valent at 336-644-9835 or design@design-options.com or register at Showtime by visiting Booth 1-504 in Suites at Market Square. Showtime participants will again be able to take advantage of the free legal services Attorney Richard Taffet offers at his temporary office in the Suites at Market Square Sales Office. Taffet will be available Dec. 11 and 12. Participants can bring any intellectual property disputes or questions to him. The Lindsay Street bridge has reopened. To ease parking congestion, market attendees are encouraged to continue using the free shuttle service, which will run continuously from 6:30 a.m. until 6:30 p.m. Dec. 11 through 13, and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 14. Free parking will be available at Showplace, located on Commerce Street between Hamilton Street and Wrenn Street. Winter Showtime 2005 Schedule of Events Sunday, Dec. 11 12 p.m. - 6 p.m. Fabric Showings 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Welcome Reception, Stevens Steakhouse at Market Square Monday, Dec. 12 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. Fabric Showings 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. InClub…..The InParty, Stevens Steakhouse at Market Square Tuesday, Dec. 13 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. Fabric Showings 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Fall/Winter 2006 Color and Trend Presentation, Market Square 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. Showtime Social, Suites at Market Square, Level One Wednesday, Dec. 14 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Fabric Showings Founded in 1990, the ITMA is a non-profit trade association, consisting of mills, converters, tanneries and trimming manufacturers that supply decorative coverings for the home furnishings industry, whose main objective is to stimulate growth and development within the home furnishings industry. The ITMA is the producer of Showtime, the largest textile market in the United States. For more information, call 336-885-6842 or visit www.itma-showtime.com.