29th Annual International Casual Furniture & Accessories Market To Begin On September 17th

Furniture World Magazine

Merchandise Mart Properties announced that the International Casual Furniture & Accessories Market™ will return to The Merchandise Mart September 17-21, 2007 offering the finest indoor and outdoor casual furniture, and featuring the return of the Exterior Design Showcase, the popular outdoor garden design series that debuted in 2006. The only show in the United States dedicated to the indoor and outdoor casual furniture industry that is exclusively endorsed by Summer & Casual Furniture Manufacturers Association (SCFMA) and the Casual Furniture Retailers Association (CFR), the International Casual Furniture & Accessories Market™ encompasses 300,000 square feet of exhibit space filled with more than 300 exhibitors. The 29th annual show is expected to attract more than 5,000 retailers from the specialty furniture, home furnishings, pool and spa, hearth and fireplace and gifts and decorative accessories industries, as well as major catalogues and mass merchants. Attendees and exhibitors alike have given The International Casual Furniture & Accessories Market rave reviews for creating an environment that draws the best in the industry. “The Casual Show at The Merchandise Mart is the single most exciting event for the casual industry,” said Don Flanders of Lloyd/Flanders, Inc. “In one place, retailers view first-hand future styling and comfort trends, and visit with fellow dealers from around the nation and world.” “This is the best show for the casual furniture industry,” said Henry Vanderminden IV of Telescope Casual Furniture. “The Mart management team understands the industry and promotes the show beautifully. It gets better every year.” The Exterior Design Showcase on the 7th floor, presented by Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc. (MMPI) and Garden Design magazine, features an incredible display of outdoor vignettes designed by leading manufacturers, designers and landscape architects. These beautiful garden designs will inspire retailers to take their outdoor living merchandising to the next level. The New Product Gallery returns to the first floor lobby of The Merchandise Mart with a comprehensive preview of the newest casual furniture and outdoor accessories for next year. See the latest in furniture design, color, fabric trends, and innovative accessories. The educational and complimentary Industry Presentations held Monday through Thursday are for exhibitors and attendees alike. Each presentation begins with lunch at noon; followed by the speaker or panel at 12:30 p.m. Lunch is first-come, first-served. Monday, September 17 Merchandise Mart Conference Center, 2nd Floor Hearth & Home magazine presents “Selling with Fabric: Retail Displays & Outdoor Rooms.” A panel discussion moderated by Richard Wright, publisher of Hearth and Home magazine. Presented by Hearth and Home magazine and MMPI. Tuesday, September 18 7th Floor Market Suites Casual Living magazine presents “Textile Trends: An Al-Fresco Fashion Show,” headlined by Sunbrella and featuring the top manufacturers of outdoor fabrics and trim. This premier runway event previews the latest fabric collections in a tailor-made fashion show, presenting unique, original designs. Wednesday, September 19 Merchandise Mart Conference Center, 2nd Floor Cinde W. Ingram, managing editor of Casual Living magazine, moderates “Getting to Know Your Customer,” a consumer panel discussion. Because of its popularity at last year’s Casual Market, Casual Living will present an enlightening consumer panel discussion, featuring mid- to high-end homeowners who have bought or are actively shopping for outdoor home furnishings. Hear what today’s consumers have to say about what they want, what draws them into various types of furniture stores and what makes them commit to a purchase. A question-and-answer period will allow retailers the opportunity to receive honest answers to their individual questions. Presented by Casual Living and MMPI. Thursday, Sept. 20 Merchandise Mart Conference Center, 2nd Floor Retailers looking to improve their visual merchandising display should sit in on “Add Profit to Your Bottom Line & Pizzazz to Your Store Merchandising with Outdoor Rugs,” sponsored by Casual Living, Capel Rugs and MMPI. SHOW INFORMATION The Merchandise Mart 7th and 8th-floor Market Suites and 16th and 17th Floors Monday-Thursday, Sept. 17-20 8:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 21 8:30 a.m. – Noon An Internet Café on the 7th floor of Market Suites allows guests to browse the web, check e-mail and even meet with representatives from Mart Travel Services for assistance getting around Chicago or to book travel for the 2008 International Casual Furniture & Accessories Market. For more information, visit www.merchandisemart.com/casualmarket or call 800.677.6278 (MART). The International Casual Furniture & Accessories Market™ is a trademark of MMPI. Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc. (MMPI) is a trade show and property management firm, specializing in managing buildings devoted to wholesale showrooms and commercial office space. MMPI produces more than 300 trade shows, market events and conferences each year. MMPI manages The Merchandise Mart and 350 West Mart Center in Chicago; Market Square, the Suites at Market Square, Hamilton Market, Plaza Suites, Furniture Plaza and the National Furniture Mart in High Point, N.C.; the Architects & Designers Building and 7 W New York in New York; the Boston Design Center in Boston; the L.A. Mart in Los Angeles; and the Washington Design Center and Federal Center Southwest in Washington D.C. Vornado Realty Trust, owners of MMPI, based in New York City, is a fully integrated equity real estate investment trust. Vornado’s common shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange and are traded under the symbol VNO.