Canadian Resources Grow In Numbers & Size For Northwest Home Furnishings Show In Portland; Scores Of New Lines Debut February 9-11, 2001

Furniture World Magazine

"There is a huge void of untapped business in the Northwest since the demise of the Seattle Show," said Max Srih, president and CEO of Van Gogh Designs, Surrey, British Columbia. "We see the Northwest Home Furnishings Show in Portland as a pivotal marketing venue," he said. Srih noted that they opened a number of significant new accounts and were surprised that many of these dealers do not visit either High Point or San Francisco. "All signs continue to indicate that Van Gogh Designs, a new company with fast growth, will become a major force in the Pacific Northwest," he said. "One of our key purposes during the recent Calgary Market Showplace was to discuss the growing number of Canadian home furnishings resources that will exhibit in the Northwest Home Furnishings Show, Feb. 9-11, 2001," said Helen Raiswell, Associate Business Development Officer of the Canadian Consulate General in Seattle. "Canadian exhibitors at the January show this year were pleased with their reception in the U.S. and appreciated the opportunity to penetrate the American Northwest market area. We expect to have another great Canadian Pavilion," she said. Canadian Firm Grows Line and Exhibit Space: Among enthusiastic exhibitors was Rob Whitfield, head of Wired Design, British Columbia, who said "This has been an excellent show for us, an exhibitor from the beginning of the event. We hope to expand our space to accommodate the large number of new products we will introduce." Especially hot for Wired Design is a new computer armoire that holds the computer, pull-out printer and writing desk. Well-designed and constructed of pine and iron, the piece is ideal for smaller space. Other recent additions to the line are occasional furniture and bistro and stool sets. "We are really on the move" Whitfield said "and have just added another designer to our team." " We are impressed with the quality audience we observed when we visited the Northwest Show," said Robert Dean, president of Brewery Creek Furniture of Surrey, B.C. "Now that we are starting with the U.S. market, our goal is to work with the Portland show dealers and let them know that we mean what we say about our casegoods- Quality, Value & Casual Styling in Solid Wood." Show Expanding by Thousands of Feet: "The popular regional show is expanding by 30,000 square feet, to accommodate additional resources and new companies," according to Show Manager, Joan Stockton. "In addition to modern and retro 20s and 30s furniture, there will be scores of collections of traditional, transitional and reproduction furniture from both Northwest and national resources," she said. A new show division, "The Kid's Room" will feature furnishings and accents for babies, toddlers and pre-teens. Leading the way for top resources in this category is Pipsqueaks Children's Hand-crafted Furniture that Tinalyn Caisse-Marston and her husband Eric Marston will introduce at the Northwest Home Furnishings Show in Portland, February 9-11, 2001. As a growing regional show, the event serves all of the U. S. Northwest and British Columbia. Because of the show's broad focus, the slogan is "It's About Lifestyle." For information contact Joan Stockton, Show Manager, Western Exhibitors, 2181 Greenwich Street, San Francisco, CA 94123. Phone: 415/447-3233. Fax: 415/346-4965. E-mail: joan@weshows.com