Social & Educational Events At The San Francisco Mart's Winter Market 2001

Furniture World Magazine

With an expanded temporary program at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, ample networking opportunities and educational seminars, the San Francisco Mart's Winter Market 2001 will be a fruitful show for retailers. Buyers will find more than 300 permanent showrooms and 70 temporary exhibitors showing new offerings in home furnishings and accessories, including the small office/home office category, as well as home entertainment, leather upholstery, motion, Asian imports, oak case goods, lighting and art. Market is a great place to network and socialize with industry peers and manufacturers at special events sponsored by the SFM and various industry organizations. Friday, January 19 - Tuesday, January 23: WHFA Educational Seminars Held Daily Mart 2, Suite 705 The Western Home Furnishings Association holds free daily educational seminars on a variety of retailing topics, including e-commerce, improving profitability, increasing traffic, inventory control, store design, and marketing, sales and advertising. Consult the January issue of WHFA's Western Reporter, the SFM's Buyers Guide or www.whfa.org for more specifics. Friday, January 19: Continental Breakfast, 8 a.m., Bill Graham Civic Auditorium , Start your day with breakfast and explore diverse temporary exhibits. Afternoon Snacks, 3 p.m., Bill Graham Civic Auditorium Furniture/Today Opening Night Party, 5:30–7:30 p.m., Mart Exchange, 9th floor, Mart 1, Network & socialize with colleagues at this must-attend industry party. Saturday, January 20: Continental Breakfast, 8 a.m., Bill Graham Civic Auditorium Afternoon Snacks, 3 p.m., Bill Graham Civic Auditorium WHFA Cocktail Reception & SFM Lifetime Gold Pass Awards, 5:30–7:30 p.m., WHFA Resource Center, Mart 2, Suite 705. The Lifetime Gold Pass is awarded to Western retailers who have distinguished themselves by their industry participation, the caliber of their, retail stores and their ongoing support of the SFM. Mardi Gras Party, 5:30–7:30 p.m., Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, We're creating our own French Quarter in SF! Bring your beads and immerse yourself in Fat Tuesday revelry. Delicious hors d'oeuvres and a no-host bar. Sunday, January 21: Continental Breakfast, 8 a.m., Bill Graham Civic Auditorium Sunday Seminars,Mart Exchange, 9th floor, Mart 1, 9-10 a.m., Internet Advertising and Web Site Marketing Strategies for Furniture Retailers, Presented by Leo Levinson, Prescott/Levinson Advertising 11 a.m.-Noon, The 10 Best Ways Retailers Can Compete with E-tailing, Presented by Dimitri Vermes, Grid 2 International 1-2 p.m., Trends in the Bedding Industry , Presented by Larry Thomas, Bedding Editor, Furniture/Today Afternoon Snacks, 3 p.m., Bill Graham Civic Auditorium Casino Night, 5:30–8 p.m., Mart Exchange, 9th floor, Mart 1, "Gamble" for great prizes at this fun party. Hors d'oeuvres and no-host bar. Monday, January 22: Continental Breakfast, 8 a.m., Bill Graham Civic Auditorium Designer Event/Luncheon, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Mart Exchange, 9th floor, Mart 1, To be announced Afternoon Snacks, 3 p.m., Bill Graham Civic Auditorium The SFM's semiannual furniture markets are open to buyers, members of the home furnishings industry, the design trade and members of the press. All Markets are held at the San Francisco Mart, 1355 Market Street, in San Francisco, and the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, 99 Grove Street (across Market Street from the Mart). Admission is free and doors open at 8 a.m. For more information, call (415) 552-2311.