Orlando KEM Furniture Market In August Will Have 1500 Exhibit Spaces

Furniture World Magazine

Escalating gas prices and the rising cost of maintaining a permanent showroom have helped spur the growth of Karel Exposition Management’s (KEM) Regional Furniture and Accessory Markets, as an increasing number of buyers, distributors and retailers turn to regional Markets to conduct their business. From Friday, August 26 through Sunday, August 28, retail buyers of furniture, lighting, bedding and accessories are expected to converge upon Orlando’s Orange County Convention Center for KEM’s 13th Furniture and Accessory Market. Led by Larry Karel, KEM fills a vital niche in serving the needs of buyers and sellers of furniture and accessories. The 53 year-old company has grown to become the nation’s largest producer of Regional Furniture and Accessory Markets, and KEM’s Orlando Market (August 26 – 28) promises to be the largest of its kind in the U.S. “In just a few years, the Orlando Market has grown from 400 to more than 1,500 exhibit spaces,” says Karel. “The quality of exhibitors, along with the overall economic climate, has driven the success of this show. In fact, as we are doing in our other markets, we have expanded to producing two Markets in Orlando each year – And each one is a sell-out. The general economic climate warrants greater concentration on reaching out to buyers, rather than expecting them to travel distances to go to the manufacturers.” NS Designs, South Florida-based manufacturers of leather furniture and accessories, has been a fixture at KEM’s Orlando Market since its inception. “It is more cost-effective for us than the larger shows,” says company vice president Kai Makela. “KEM’s regional Markets have allowed us to sell to many medium and large retailers, without having to incur huge travel costs. We started with just five exhibit spaces, but now we’re averaging 18.” Karel‘s Markets fill a need in the marketplace for both buyers and manufacturers alike. By offering reasonable exhibitor fees, KEM provides an affordable alternative for manufacturers who do not have a permanent showroom space as well as for those who simply want to enhance their exposure through Regional Markets. For buyers, there is an opportunity to attend a Market in their own geographic area, without costly travel expenses. The Orlando Furniture & Accessory Market takes place from Friday, August 26 through Sunday, August 28 in the North Hall NA of the Orange County Convention Center, 9400 Universal Blvd, Orlando. Hours are 9:30 AM to 5 PM. The Market is open to the trade only, including retailers, buyers, distributors and designers. With headquarters in Aventura, Florida, Karel Exposition Management has been producing furniture and accessory shows, bringing buyers and manufacturers together for 53 years. The 2005 show schedule also includes Markets in Houston, Edison, New Jersey, Fitchburg, Massachusetts and Los Angeles. For further information, please visit KEM online at www.kemexpo.com or call (305) 792-9990.