New Philadelphia Home Furnishings Show Joins Philadelphia Gift Show, July 18-21, 1999

Furniture World Magazine

Fairchild Urban Expositions, Tri-State Home Furnishings Association Team Up to Expand Mid-Atlantic Region's Cross-Merchandising, Buying Opportunities The Tri-State Home Furnishings Association has tapped Fairchild Urban Expositions to produce and manage a new furniture show -- the Philadelphia Home Furnishings Show -- in conjunction with the semiannual Philadelphia Gift Show July 18-21, 1999. Held at the Fort Washington Expo Center in Fort Washington, PA, the combined events will dramatically expand Mid-Atlantic retailers' crossmerchandising and buying opportunities with a one-stop resource for home furnishings, decorative accessories and giftware. "We've attended and held regional shows in the past, but were overwhelmed with the product selection, professionalism and energy level we found at Fairchild Urban's Philadelphia Gift Show," said Wayne Miller, president, Tri-State Home Furnishings Association and Legislative Chairman, International Home Furnishings Representatives Association (IHFRA). "Bringing furniture, gifts and decorative accessories under one roof promises buying and selling benefits for everyone. When we looked at the Fairchild Urban team's extensive industry background, the show's centralized location and the region's untapped buying audience - including countless medium-sized dealers who do not have the manpower or resources to attend national furniture markets we saw tremendous growth potential." The Philadelphia Home Furnishings Show will expand the offerings of the Mid-Atlantic region's largest gift show with the addition of a wide range of case goods, casual dining, occasional furniture, upholstery, lamps and lighting, area rugs, decorative accessories and more. These products Join the Philadelphia Gift Show's 1000-plus booths featuring leading lines from a host of product categories, *including general giftware, decorative accessories, greeting cards, paper goods, stationery, tabletop, country crafts, collectibles, fashion accessories, toys and games, garden gifts, seasonal items, designer/ artisan items and countless others. "We're excited to finally have a show of this size within driving distance," said Stuart Weiss, Viking Casual Furniture, Cherry Hill, NJ. "Now we can get a first-hand look at new furniture introductions while saving travel time and money. What's more, the show's January and July time frames offer some distinct furniture buying, shipping and receiving advantages. And, we're also looking forward to exploring gift and home accent resources to add to our mix as well." As producer, Fairchild Urban Expositions will handle all booth sales, operations and marketing/promotional support for the Philadelphia Home Furnishings Show. Located within the exhibit hall, next to the Philadelphia Gift Show, the Philadelphia Home Furnishings Show will be clearly identified with an attractive entrance, color-coded hall carpeting, consistent booth package design and distinctive signage. "The overwhelming industry response to our newly announced High Point Decorative Accessory and Gift Mart confirmed our belief that there is a growing synergy between furniture, giftware and decorative accessories at the retail level," said Doug Miller, president, Fairchild Urban Expositions. "We look forward to working with the Tri-State Home Furnishings Association to create a unified event that brings a whole new level of products, services and profitable cross-merchandising opportunities to the Mid-Atlantic region's gift, accessory and specialty retailers, furniture dealers and interior designers." For buyer or exhibitor information on the new Philadelphia Home Furnishings Show or the Philadelphia Gift Show, contact Fairchild Urban Expositions at 770-952-6444/fax 770-956-9644 or e-mail: FUE@fairchildpub.com In addition, discounted travel rates are available by calling Connections at 1-800-262-9974. The Tri-State Home Furnishings Association is an organization serving home furnishings retailers, sales representatives, manufacturers and suppliers in Eastern Pennsylvania, South New Jersey and Delaware. Headquartered in Ambler, PA, the Association - which is also an IHFRA affiliate--provides its membership with a host of business-building programs and money-saving benefits, including educational programs, business and health insurance, discounts on business services, travel, trade publications, annual networking/fundraising sing events and more. For more information, contact Cathy Reed, Executive Director, at 215-646-5831/Fax - 215-646-4053. Atlanta-based Fairchild Urban Expositions is a partnership of Fairchild Publications and Urban Expositions and Development. Fairchild Publications is a fully owned subsidiary of ABC Inc., a division of The Wait Disney Company. In addition to the Philadelphia Gift Show, Fairchild Urban Expositions also owns the semi-annual Miami International Gift & Decorative Accessories Shows, Columbus (Ohio) Gift Shows, Midwest Country Collectibles Show (held in conjunction with the March edition of the Columbus Gift Show), High Point Decorative Accessories and Gift Mart, Grand Strand Gift and Resort Merchandise Show in Myrtle Beach and the Atlantic City Souvenir & Resort Merchandise Show. For more information about these shows, please call Fairchild Urban Expositions at 770-952-6444.