Archive for March, 2012

High Point, N.C. (March 29, 2012) – The line-up for the International Market Centers’ Spring Market Seminar Series includes an impressive line-up of industry thought leaders. The seminar series will take place Saturday, April through Wednesday, April 25 and all seminars are held in the IHFC Ballroom B on the 11th floor of the Green Wing. Reservations are required for several of the seminars, so please see below for more details.

SATURDAY, APRIL 21

The Heart of the Home: Helping Women Furnish Their Homes for Fully Connected Family Living
Noon – 1 PM
IHFC, Green Wing, 11th Floor, Ballroom B

Today’s tech-savvy, internet-enabled furniture consumer knows what she likes, how she wants to live, and how much she can spend. If you can help her realize her home dreams on her budget, you’ll win her love. Better Homes and Gardens Editors Amy Panos, Senior Editor & Joseph Boehm, Senior Interior Designer share how this new breed of consumer thinks and what she wants most from her home and the resources that help her achieve it.
Sponsored by IHFC. Reservations not required. Complimentary box lunch provided.

SUNDAY, APRIL 22

WithIt Educational Breakfast, Lifestyle Changes and How They Influence Your Business
7:30 – 9 AM
IHFC, Green Wing, 11th Floor, Ballroom A

Kathy Wall, The Media Matters, Inc. moderates a panel discussion with three editorial champions whose expert insights help inform consumer tastes and trends: syndicated writer, Elaine Markoutsas, designer and blogger, Jason Oliver Nixon, and Traditional Home senior style editor, Krissa Rossbund. What do they see coming next and how will that influence your business?

Sponsored by IHFC and WithIt. Breakfast and seminar are free of charge. Reservations are required by emailing lchastain@imcenters.com or www.withit.org .

Growing a Business Environmentally
Noon – 1 PM
IHFC, Green Wing, 11th Floor, Ballroom B

Presented by Mitchell Gold, Co-founder and Chair-Man of Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams.
Mitchell Gold, Co-founder and Chair-Man of Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams, discusses the inspiration behind his entrepreneurial venture with Bob Williams, launched 23 years ago in the midst of a recession. He’ll share what compelled them to build a different kind of furniture company, one organized around the concept of “comfort” and the environment, and explain what it means for consumers, employees—and the environment.

$20 includes lunch. Advance registration recommended. Reservation is secured upon receipt of payment.
Email lchastain@imcenters.com to request a credit card authorization.
Sponsored by IHFC and IFDA Carolinas Chapter.

MONDAY, APRIL 23

Why the Bad Economy has been the Best Thing for My Business
Noon – 1 PM
IHFC, Green Wing, 11th Floor, Ballroom B

Internationally acclaimed designer, Allison Paladino, presents a provocative discussion on what’s important now, from the creative process to building your personal brand as a designer, and why the Recession may actually be the best thing that ever happened to her high-end interior design business. With a sharp wit and a healthy dose of humor, Allison shares her personal story, from landing her first job directly out of design school with Thomas Pheasant, to being named “One of America’s 25 Top Young Designers by House Beautiful,” to launching her own highly successful design practice serving luxury consumers in the rarified world of Palm Beach, Florida. She’ll offer insights, inspirations and a fresh perspective on how designers with classical backgrounds can effectively compete in the Internet age, the inside story on the major licensed collection she’s created for E.J. Victor, and finding order and success in the crazy, creative profession of design.

$20 includes lunch. Advance registration recommended. Reservation is secured upon receipt of payment.
Email lchastain@imcenters.com to request a credit card authorization.
Sponsored by IHFC and IFDA Carolinas Chapter.

TUESDAY, APRIL 24

Hide & Seek Leather Seminar CEU 0.1 credit units
9:00 – 10 AM
IHFC, Green Wing, 11th Floor, Ballroom B
$10 at the door, check or cash only.

Leather has been a cornerstone of the interior design industry for centuries but its story and merits are not broadly understood. Hide & Seek is a one hour “everything you wanted to know but were afraid to ask” 0.1 CEU session that will bolster your confidence when discussing leather with your clients.
Sponsored by IHFC. Reservations not required. Complimentary refreshments provided.

Instructor:
John Smith is the founder of the furnishings company WILLEM SMITH and its sister company WILLEM SMITH Leather, both based in Washington, DC.

Passion to Profit
Noon – 1 PM
IHFC, Green Wing, 11th Floor, Ballroom B

Learn how to transition from simply professing a passion to actually profiting from your passion. Lisa Luby Ryan, interior designer, store owner and entrepreneur, will share the practical steps that bring you to “loving what you do and doing what you love”. Lisa will outline her principles for business success that can be adapted to any product or service.
Sponsored by IHFC. Reservations not required. Complimentary box lunch provided.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25

Market Trend Wrap-Up
9:00 – 10 AM
IHFC, Green Wing, 11th Floor, Ballroom B

Tracy Bulla, senior product editor at Home Accents Today, presents the hottest trends from the April 2012 Market.
Complimentary refreshments provided.

Visit our web site at www.ihfc.comfor more information about this seminar series and other market highlights.

First-of-its-kind Calendar makes store marketing fast and easy

PITTSBURGH, PA, March 27, 2012 – SnapRetail, a technology company that provides the only SaaS solution for small retailers to plan, promote, sell and stock their stores online, has launched the Calendar and Idea Bar.

The Calendar is a Web-based feature that helps retailers plan, create, schedule and send marketing campaigns to customers via e-mail or social media in about 10% of the time it takes with other email marketing systems.  The Calendar offer ideas, inspiration and tools to help local retailers send innovative marketing campaigns to drive store traffic and increase sales.

“Local retailers are busier than ever.  They simply don’t have the time to market and often struggle to come up with creative ideas to promote their stores,” explained Ted Teele, CEO of SnapRetail. “They know they need to use Facebook, but are not sure what to say. And they have told us that it takes 4-5 hours to create and test an e-mail campaign using other systems. Our planning Calendar is a unique service that sparks ideas and makes it fast and easy to share them with their customers.”

With a constant supply of inspiration for campaigns, posts and events on the Idea Bar, the Calendar provides fun ideas around events like April Fools Day, Earth Day and Mother’s Day to grow store and online sales, and keep customers engaged. The Calendar also provides a clear view of future ideas and tracks successes from previous months with real-time summaries.

“The Calendar is easy to use, and with an abundance of different templates and ideas, allows everything I share with customers to look polished and engaging,” said Danielle Shaffer, owner of Aw Else Boutique in Greensburg, PA. “As a daily routine, the Calendar helps us plan and manage our communications from one place.”

“The Calendar is like my favorite pillow; I don’t travel without it,” said Sloane Wiggins, owner of Cudos, a gift shop in Augusta, GA. “We start our monthly marketing meeting with the Calendar so we can plan for our Facebook, Web posts and e-mail content.  We choose a template and easily make it work for our store.  It saves us time because the groundwork has been done for us.”

Free to subscribers of SnapRetail’s TrafficBuilder, the Calendar offers an easy drag-and-drop format and a collection of tens of thousands of professional images, templates and Ideas for retailers to tap to build their campaigns and plan marketing schedules. Since SnapRetail works with more than 170 vendors TrafficBuilder offers access to the highest quality images and customizable e-mail templates, along with ideas tailored to each individual store.

A video on the Calendar and Idea Bar can be accessed here: http://www.snapretail.com/retailer/library-videos.asp?VideoID=201

10 Canadian furniture brands under one roof and management
Four of 10 furniture brands new to U.S.

HIGH POINT – Launching at High Point Market, The Factory is a unique 95,000 square-foot freestanding showroom space featuring quality furniture products from 10 Canadian home furnishings brands. Located at 400 W. English Rd., it is the premiere U.S. venue for established vendors Bermex, Dinec, Shermag, Jaymar, Midi, and Bertanie, which are moving from their prior showrooms; and four brands new to dealers here: Dezmo, D-10 Furniture, Jaymar Mattress and Liinz.

The Factory is a permanent, consolidated showroom for the brands listed, all of which are managed by Quebec-based Groupe Bermex, Inc., a holding company for one of Canada’s largest vertically integrated furniture manufacturing operations.

Groupe Bermex, Inc. has invested in growth, infrastructure, and diversification since 2006 through both the acquisition and creation of Canada-based furnishings companies, according to Daniel Walker, president and chief of commercial operations.

“The launch of The Factory in April is the culmination of our vision to give home furnishings dealers the product differentiation at retail they need to grow sales, along with the efficiencies and exceptional service that a fully integrated back end operation can provide,” says Walker. “With economic rebound in sight for the U.S., we have no doubt this is the right time for our debut. We very much want to be every dealer’s ultimate High Point Market destination.”

The Factory aims to provide a one-stop shopping experience for furniture retailers, with major product categories represented, like dining, bedroom, home entertainment, youth furniture, seating, in styles ranging from contemporary to transitional and traditional. An impressive collection of casual and formal furniture products at a variety of price points includes case goods made from solid wood, upholstered items, accent items, and bedding. Customization options for sizing, finishes, and hardware, for example, and quick deliveries for many of the product lines, address the needs and expectations of today’s furniture shoppers.

A dedicated, multi-vehicle shuttle service, accessible by calling 336-882-3950 during market dates will transport buyers to and from The Factory’s four-floor showroom. The distinctive red brick building with its original water tower was a former hosiery mill built early in the last century, and is situated at the perimeter of downtown High Point. Dealer parking is also available on-site.

The Factory will kick off High Point Market with a grand opening event for the companies’ dealers on Friday, April 20th; beginning at 6 pm. Dealers may contact their representatives for additional information.

The Western Home Furnishings Association and MicroD, Inc. have partnered to create a unique webinar series to educate home furnishings retailers on Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and Search Engine Marketing (SEM). With SEO and SEM being such important topics, it seemed a natural first effort for the Association to launch their online education.

“We are working hard to make continuing education easier by bringing much needed content right to the retailer’s inbox. And working with a knowledgeable partner like MicroD, Inc. allows us to deliver quality affordable education without cutting into busy schedules,” said WHFA Executive Director, Sharron Bradley.

The three-part series will be broken up into 30-minute segments of information. This is a topic that brings palpitations to retailers at every level so bringing it to them in three easy to digest sessions was equally important. A Q&A session will be available after each presentation to help attendees further understand how this new marketing opportunity can work for their individual operations.

“Our goal in developing online learning was to engage the largest retail audience possible and help ease the challenges they face day to day,” said MicroD Executive Vice President, Mona Nigam. “One of those challenges for retailers is finding the time to attend quality education programs. As important as live meetings are, the reality in this economy, is that it is not always possible to travel to meetings. This series, in partnership with WHFA, just adds another layer of benefits for Association members without asking them to leave the store. We are proud to be invested in this project.”

The three part series includes:

Part 1 – SEM and SEO: Defined
March 29, 6:00 PM – 6:30 PM EDT

This 30 minute training session is geared toward the furniture retailer and will focus on driving traffic to a physical storefront location. The first of three mini-sessions will provide you with an overview of the principles of Search Engine Marketing (SEM) and Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and demonstrate their application to all businesses represented online.

Part 2 – SEM and SEO: Optimization Techniques, Local Listings, and Page Rank

April 3, 6:00 PM – 6:30 PM EDT

This 30 minute training session is geared toward the furniture retailer and will focus on driving traffic to a physical storefront location. The second session in the three part series focuses on using a variety of SEM and SEO techniques. This webinar will show you how to leverage keywords, utilize local search engine listings, such as Google Places and Yahoo Local, and demystify the concept of page rank.

Part 3 – SEM and SEO: Link Strategies and Checklist

April 10, 6:00 PM – 6:30 PM EDT

This 30 minute training session is geared toward the furniture retailer and will focus on driving traffic to a physical storefront location. This third and final session of the series will teach you the power of linking and help you understand the strategies involved in creating meaningful website “buzz”. In addition to link strategies, the session will introduce you to a 12 point SEO checklist to aid you in directing traffic to your store.

A first in a series of offerings, WHFA will be sending out an exit survey to ensure they are on the right track in developing online learning. Understanding the day-to-day needs of retailers and how to deliver content that is valuable in the retail trenches will help to develop future topics.

This webinar series is open to all home furnishings retailers. Only WHFA members will be able to watch webcasts of the presentation at a later date. To register for the March 29th webinar, click here or call (800) 422-3778 – Space is limited!

The companies – Modern Traditions Furniture, Friedman Brothers Mirrors, Charles Luck and  Antique Rug Connection – target high-end furniture stores and interior designers with their products, which range from ornate mirrors and stone tables to handmade rugs and custom upholstery.

“The showrooms at 200, 320 and 330 North Hamilton are recognized worldwide for their exquisite, trend-setting furniture and home accents,” said Julie Messner, vice president of leasing for International Market Centers. “They are a ‘must-visit’ destination for any store or designer that serves the upper end of the market.”

Modern Traditions Furniture, a new company that debuted at the October High Point Market, is moving to a 6,961-square-foot showroom at 200 N. Hamilton, Space 214, for the April event. The new location will provide a better venue for showing Modern Tradition’s line of custom, transitionally styled upholstery, said Vanessa Majma, manager.

“We are aiming at designers and higher-end stores,” she said. “We produce our line in North Carolina and our strength is customization – we offer more than 3,000 possibilities to choose from, including a wide selection of arms, legs, skirts and cushions.”

The line features sofas, sofa-sleepers, chairs and ottomans, and includes fully upholstered as well as wood-framed models.

This market, Modern Traditions is introducing a new collection of casually elegant, classic American styles designed by Alexander Julian. “These gracefully shaped pieces show off Alexander’s ability to create eye-appealing beauty,” said Majma. “He is an artist who is not afraid to experiment with color, texture and detail.”

Friedman Mirrors, which has been exhibiting in the Hamilton-Wrenn showroom district for nearly 30 years, is moving to a 2,256-square-foot showroom in Space 301 of 200 N. Hamilton this market. Known for its handcrafted decorative mirrors, the company will feature 70 to 80 new models at the show.

“We’ve been making sophisticated, elegant mirrors, consoles, sconces and other products for the home since 1903,” said Clifford Poole, executive director.

The company has more than 1,000 original pieces in its product catalog, and each market it chooses a group of classic, timeless designs from that library to revive and spotlight. Among its collections are licensed programs with Colonial Williamsburg and Historic Charleston.

“Our products never go out of production, but there are always a number of exquisite designs that haven’t been seen in a while,” said Poole. “At market, we choose a group of these to reintroduce based on style directions that we see emerging at retail.”

To help retailers compete in a still-challenging business environment, Friedman Mirrors will offer special pricing and credit terms on its latest market introductions.

“The luxury segment is particularly challenging right now, so we’re doing all we can to support our retail partners,” said Poole. “We’ve developed a variety of special programs and promotions designed to stimulate and support their business.”

For Charles Luck, the exclusive U.S. distributor of the Kreoo by Decormarmi stone line from Italy, a new 282-square-foot showroom at 200 N. Hamilton, in Space 335, provides a platform for reaching out to a different group of customers.

“We’re looking to expand our distribution with smaller, boutique retailers,” said Michael Weiss, director of product development. “Until this time, we’ve worked mostly with architects and designers.”

During market, Charles Luck will show a variety of Kreoo by Decormarmi’s line, including seating, consoles, tables, trays, easels, bowls and basins. All of the products are made of stone in Vicenza, Italy.

“It’s a clean, minimalist aesthetic with a Mid-Century modern feel,” said Weiss about the line’s styling. “We expect it will have great appeal with luxury-oriented consumers in places like Chicago and New York.”

Charles Luck is focusing its initial efforts on lining up retail distribution in the East Coast and Midwest with a West Coast push likely to follow, added Weiss.

“High Point’s Design District is very well regarded,” said Weiss about the decision to show at 200 N. Hamilton. “The area attracts exactly the kind of style-savvy buyers that we’re looking for.”

Also showing for the first time in High Point this market is Antique Rug Connection, an importer of eco-friendly area rugs and carpeting produced by hand on its own looms in Pakistan. Owned by the husband- and-wife team of Nadeem Akbar and Mehnaz Rokerya-Akbar, the company has sold new, semi-antique and antique rugs for nearly a quarter of a century.

“For many years, we operated a store in Chino, Calif.,” said Mehnaz Rokerya-Akbar, director of business development. “Recently, we refocused our business to concentrate on the design and production of trend-setting, one-of-a-kind rugs.”

To service retailers, Antique Rug Connection inventories its line at a warehouse near Los Angeles.

This market, in a 1,062-square-foot showroom at 200 N. Hamilton, Space 333, Antique Rug Collection will introduce Susani, a whimsical collection that combines steely colors with lovely accent tones. In addition, it will add new models to its Original Platinum Oushaak & Kotaan line, an upscale look with a unique texture and rich patina featuring a palette of blues, celadon greens, grays and taupes.

All designs and colorways can be customized to a client’s specifications, and the company also offers wall-to-wall carpeting applications in plain or patterned 100% wool or wool and silk combinations.

Family-operated company continues to thrive as a design powerhouse; opening of new Miami Design District location marks 13th location

Kreiss, the internationally acclaimed design and home furnishings authority, is celebrating 75 years of design innovation and excellence. With the opening of the luxe design brand’s Miami Design District showroom, Kreiss now boasts 13 showrooms nationwide, each offering its sophisticated mix of custom handmade furniture, unique accessories, award-winning exclusive design, fabrics and fine linens to retail and trade clients.

Kreiss was founded on the philosophy that there is no substitute for quality. The late Norman Kreiss, Founder and Chairman of Kreiss Enterprises, once said, “Creating furniture is an art – an art that requires an appreciation of quality, value and a love of comfort. Throughout, we strive for a unique sense of style that sets us apart from the ordinary.”

Recognized for having pioneered the “California Look” with its stylish use of natural materials and casual yet elegant designs, Kreiss aims to provide its clients with interior environments that soothe the soul and stimulate the senses. Kreiss showrooms offer styles such as California Casual, Contemporary, European Formal, Spanish Mediterranean and other classic looks, providing hundreds of combinations for every taste, mood and moment. In addition, each location features a Design Studio where design consultants assist with every detail of the client’s interior, including furniture selection, space planning, floor and window treatments, and lighting design.

Kreiss has attracted a loyal following of clients including world leaders, international celebrities and captains of industry, such as Muhammad Ali, Frank and Kathie Lee Gifford, Janet Jackson, Mariah Carey, Michael Jordan, Paul McCartney, Eva Longoria, Ronald Reagan, Frank Sinatra, Britney Spears, Tina Turner, Bruce Willis and Usher.