Summer Casual Market Atlanta announces 2024 education and events

Furniture world information office on 05/7/2024

Vern Yip presents the opening session of the 2023 casual market.

Casual Market Atlanta releases its full education and events calendar for the July edition, with highlights including the addition of a pre-market, hosted by ICFA, panel discussions and a think tank for retailers, a presentation of fashionable outdoor trends hosted by designer and television personality Carson Kressley. , guided exhibition tours showcasing the latest trends in outdoor furniture, and two new events that foster dynamic synergies with the co-located Atlanta market. The second annual Summer Casual Market Atlanta will take place July 15-18, 2024 in Building 1 of AmericasMart Atlanta.

“The casual industry has fully embraced, established and increased its presence in its new headquarters at AmericasMart Atlanta,” said Karen Olson, executive vice president and chief marketing officer of ANDMORE℠. education and events, Casual Market Atlanta will be a must-see for buyers and purveyors of casual furniture and outdoor accessories this summer.

Market events highlight trends in the Casual and Outdoor sector

Award-winning television personality and designer, Carson Kressley shines the spotlight on Fashion trends in outdoor living in a lively overview of the latest offerings in outdoor furnishings on Wednesday, July 17, from 1 to 2 p.m., in the Atrium of Building 3. Thanks to Kressley’s quick wit and fun presentation style, this event promises to be as entertaining as it is informative.

Attendees can explore what’s new and exciting in casual furniture and outdoor living products for 90 minutes. Trends in outdoor living circuits, Monday, July 15 and Tuesday, July 16, from noon to 1:30 p.m. These lunch and learn sessions begin with an overview of ICFA’s recent Outdoor Trends report, followed by a tour of the seven floors of conference rooms. permanent exhibition and temporary exhibitions of AmericasMart Atlanta. Places are limited and prior registration is required.

ICFA-hosted events expand industry connections

The International Casual Furnishings Association (ICFA) is enhancing the summer shopping and sourcing experience at Casual Market Atlanta with five signature association-hosted events.

“The opportunity to network and socialize with industry peers is one of the highlights of participating in the market,” said Jackie Hirschhaut, ICFA executive director. “We have planned a mix of business and learning activities with a variety of fun events.”

Activities at Casual Market Atlanta will begin on Sunday, July 14 – one day before the exhibits open – with the popular ICFA Industry Roundtables and Think Tank. Following the packed lunches at 1 p.m., two consecutive one-hour industry roundtable discussions will explore current industry issues and opportunities. At 4 p.m., a one-hour think tank encourages networking through conversations about business challenges, industry concerns and great ideas. The cost is $50 for ICFA members and $75 for non-members, both of which include a $25 donation to City of Hope, ICFA’s philanthropic partner. All pre-registered participants will receive a travel bonus for Sunday evening accommodation. Registration is available online at ICFA Industry Roundtables and Think Tank Registration.

An opening day ICFA Birthday Party Launch Party, on Monday, July 15, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., celebrates the anniversary of the outdoor furniture industry’s trade organization. All Casual Market Atlanta attendees are welcome to socialize and enjoy drinks and light snacks in the Building 1 Registration Lobby.

Pink out! Atlanta, ICFA’s popular City of Hope fundraiser spans the first two days of the 2024 Summer Market, to further raise awareness and support for those affected by breast cancer. On Tuesday, July 16, market visitors are encouraged to wear pink, and all donors of $50 or more will receive a pink stone bracelet or hot pink pocket square. To learn more or donate, visit https://OurHope.CityofHope.org/ICFA.

Casual Market Atlanta’s biggest event, ICFA Awards Gala, moves to 2024 to Mercedes-Benz Stadium – on the 50-yard line of the Atlanta Falcons’ home field – with television personality, celebrity designer and stylist Carson Kressley as host. The event, taking place on Tuesday, July 16, from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., recognizes recipients of the Lifetime Achievement Award as well as winners of the ICFA Apollo Awards for Retail Excellence in Sales and Marketing of outdoor furniture, as well as the recipients of the 2024 ICFA Manufacturer of the Year Award and the 2024 Sales Representative of the Year Awards. Tickets can be ordered online at the 2024 ICFA Awards Gala. Tickets and event sponsorships are available at ICFA 2024 Sponsorship Levels and Benefits.

All Casual Market participants are invited to ICFA Members Meeting, on Wednesday, July 17, to learn more about industry initiatives, upcoming activities and member benefits. Continental breakfast will be served at 7:00 a.m., before the meeting from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m.

Two new events spark synergies between Casual Market Atlanta and Atlanta Market

Two new events will create dynamic synergies between Casual Market Atlanta and the co-located Atlanta Market by introducing designers and gift and home retailers to AmericasMart Atlanta’s new Casual/Outdoor collection.

A new two-day initiative, Elevate the Exterior Designer Experience, on Thursday, July 18 and Friday, July 19, will provide designers with educational resources, designer-specific procurement incentives, and opportunities to meet and mingle with their peers. Programming details will be announced in the coming weeks.

A Cocktails + Casual a reception and networking event on Thursday, July 18, from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., will serve light snacks and libations throughout AmericasMart Atlanta’s five-story permanent exhibit hall in Building 1, dedicated to casual furniture and outdoor living products.

Casual Market Atlanta’s 70-plus permanent casual and outdoor furniture showrooms, located on Floors 2-6 of Building 1, are open Monday, July 15 through Thursday, July 18, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. , and will remain open until Monday July 22. , for the duration of the concurrent Atlanta market. More than 150 temporary exhibitions, located on floors 7 and 8 of Building 1, are open from Monday, July 15 to Wednesday, July 17, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Thursday, July 18, from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. A list A full list of exhibitors is available at https://casualmarketatlanta.com/showroom-exhibitor-listing/.

Fall Casual Market Atlanta will take place September 16-19, 2024 at AmericasMart Atlanta. The program will be announced in a few weeks.

Casual Market Atlanta is a refreshed and revitalized outdoor and casual living show presented by the International Casual Furnishings Association (ICFA). Casual Market Atlanta is housed in a dynamic new casual and outdoor furniture destination featuring seven floors of permanent showrooms and temporary exhibits in Building 1 of AmericasMart Atlanta. Casual Market Atlanta is co-produced by ANDMORE, formerly International Market Centers. To register and get information, visit CasualMarketAtlanta.com.

About Casual Market Atlanta

Casual Market Atlanta, presented by the International Casual Furnishings Association (ICFA), is the outdoor living industry’s sourcing destination with two trade shows annually in July and September and select showrooms open all year the year. With the largest concentration of casual and outdoor furniture in one location, retailers and designers source products across seven floors of permanent showrooms and temporary exhibits at AmericasMart Atlanta. Casual Market Atlanta is co-produced by ICFA and ANDMORE, formerly International Market Centers. For more information, visit CasualMarketAtlanta.com.

About ICFA

The International Casual Furnishings Association supports and promotes the growth of the outdoor and casual furnishings industry through professional training, networking and development. It is the only professional organization committed to promoting the sales of its members’ quality products and services. It is a powerful partnership between outdoor furniture manufacturers and importers, retailers, sales representatives and designers as well as industry suppliers. For more information, visit icfanet.org.

About ANDMORE

ANDMORE℠, formerly International Market Centers, is an omnichannel wholesale marketplace player providing opportunities for wholesale buyers and sellers to connect, grow and thrive through physical marketplaces, design centers and digital channels . The company owns and operates more than 20 million square feet of premium event and exhibition space, hosting live events in Atlanta, High Point, North Carolina, Las Vegas and New York. By combining face-to-face events with always-on digital tools, ANDMORE provides truly omnichannel commerce platforms to its global wholesale customer base. For more information, visit ANDMORE.com.