Regional Mid-AtlanticTrade Show Receives Rave Reviews

Furniture World Magazine

"The breadth of this show was amazing! we saw customers from Virginia to Massachusetts. Union City was visited by more customers than we see in Tupelo at one-tenth of the price. We opened several new accounts and renewed old relationships. Thank you, Larry Karel, " said exhibitor Thomas Russo, Union City Mirror & Chair/Union City Imports. But, nor everyone was as fortunate as Russo- Some exhibitors could not even make it through the doors because they were too late to sign up for the sold out 31st Mid-Atlantic Furniture & Decorative Accessory Market held Sunday, Feb. 8 through Tuesday, Feb. 10 at the New Jersey Convention Center in Edison. But the ones who were there certainly made it worth their while. "We had a tremendous response and it helped us build a new chain of clients, said Baldev Purba, Fancy Furniture Industries, Ltd. "We will continue to concentrate on this show as it is a good business source. " The market was produced by the Hollywood, Florida-based Karel Exposition Management and welcomed thousands of small and mid-sized buyers from New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, among other areas. According to James Florio, Concordio Furniture, the show had great traffic. "The show seems to have attracted more exhibitors," he said. "We"re certainly returning. " Florio is right, the show also attracted a different type of exhibitor- With the addition of 5,000 - square - feet of space dedicated to juvenile furniture manufacturers belonging to the Infant Furnishings Representatives Association (IHFRA), Northeast region, the market also attracted a different type of buyer. This benefited everyone involved with the market, explained Market Director Larry Karel. "All KEM exhibitors had a wider audience at this show- And buyers found an expanded selection with this new category on display. " "The traffic was more than I anticipated," said Bernie Norieka of Penncraft Furniture. "We look forward to visiting the many prospects we talked to. " Which means KEM accomplished its goal - of bringing local, national and international furniture and accessory manufacturers and distributors within reach of the small and mid-sized retailer without the expense necessary to attend the large annual markets. Exhibitors were so happy with the response, many are already signing up for the next Edison market in August, according to KEM_ Steve Mandel, Hart Manufacturing, was pleased with the show's success: "Excellent attendance and management, once again, helped the show become successful. " Karel Exposition Management, the nation's largest producer of regional furniture and decorative accessory markets, is based in Hollywood, Florida. The current roster of 1998 KEM shows is as follows: Edison, NJ -- Aug, 2-4 Fort Lauderdale, FL -- Aug. 15-17 Fitchburg, MA - March 15-17; Sept. 27-29 Baltimore, MO - May 17-19 Atlanta, GA -- May 3 1 June 2 Las Vegas, NV - June 27-29 Orlando, FL - Sept. 11-13 For more information on KEM shows e-mail Larry Karel at info@kemexpo.com