Retailers eye casual furniture show - Making News

Pool & Spa News, August 22, 2003 by Bob Dumas

The International Casual Furniture & Accessories Market trade show is expected to enjoy a 4 percent jump in attendance from pool and spa retailers, said show organizers.

"The [concept of] the outdoor room was really introduced at the show last year on a large scale, and this year we're honing it to what the retailers are looking for," said Karla Carey, the show's director of marketing.

Slated for Sept. 10-13 at the Merchandise Mart in Chicago, the show is expected to attract between 6,000 to 7,000 attendees this year--11 percent of whom will be from the pool and spa industry, according to Carey.

"Between 1999 and 2000, about 7 percent of the attendees were pool and spa retailers," she said. "We have made a concentrated effort to market to pool and spa [professionals]. We've been advertising in the trade magazines and adding retailers to our prospect lists. Hopefully, it will keep growing."

If Carey's attendance predictions hold true, it will mark a nearly 20 percent increase over the 5,000 who attended the 2002 event.

"The economy seems to be a little bit better now and the [casual furniture] industry is doing fine," she noted.

The number of exhibitors is up this year as well, said Whitney Gillespie, the show's director of sales. "We had 176 exhibitors last year, and we're up to 220 this year. This is the only casual furniture show in North America and it's exclusively devoted to that market. It's important for people in the business to be here," Gillespie noted.

One of the hottest trends Gillespie predicts for the 2003 show is the island or tropical theme for outdoor rooms. "There are hotter colors--turquoise and pinks--and that's kind of reflected in the garden accessories that are out there. Things are getting more whimsical and fun."

Outdoor grill islands also should be a big draw, said Carey, as well as a more eclectic array of accessories. "You'll see a lot of standard manufacturers starting to carry accessories like cushions, umbrellas, flatware and cleaning products," she said.

Several award presentations will be held during the show, including the Annual De sign Excellence Awards, which Carey said will feature 93 new products. And the 46th annual Apollo Awards, presented to the country's outstanding retailers, is on the schedule.

Attendees also have their choice of an array of classes and seminars, such as "Sales Programs that WOW!" and "How to Win Back Morale in Emotional Times."

For more attendee information, call (800) 677-6278, or visit the Web site, www.merchandisemart.com.