Atlanta Market has set the programming calendar for its upcoming July 16-22 edition, combining celebration with education across five days of events.
“Atlanta Market’s programming serves as the nexus of innovation and connection this Summer,” said Karen Olson, Andmore’s executive vice president and chief marketing officer. “From educational seminars to showroom soirees, education and experiential networking unite to inspire the industry.”
Trend and Business Drive At-Market Discussions
Five seminars will give attendees industry insights across categories as they jumpstart summer buying.
Two keynote sessions will bring celebrities to the stage to discuss design and business. In a talk entitled “Carson Kressley Introduces Fashionable Trends in Outdoor Living,” the celebrity designer, television personality and former “Queer Eye” fashion expert will get Atlanta Market attendees ahead of the curve on all things outdoor starting at 1 p.m. on July 17. At 1 p.m. on July 18, Jill Zarin and Ally Shapiro, the mother-daughter duo behind gift brand Jill & Ally will lead “Collaborations, Partnerships & Licenses” to explore the importance of partnerships to create new opportunities. Both sessions will be presented in the Building 3, Floor 2 Atrium.
Three business-driven discussions will offer attendees skills to remain competitive in the retail landscape. Steph Bechard and Crystal Media will kick off the series with “The Top 5 Strategies for Using Social Media to Move Your Merchandise” to discuss digital marketing strategy at 2:30 p.m. on July 17. “Leading Ladies: Insights from Women in Business” will follow, delivering an all-female entrepreneur panel, featuring Adriana Carrig of Little Words Project and Atlanta Market (A) Listers, Jasmine Crockett and Jordan Jones at 2:30 p.m. on July 18. Last in the run is “Showhouse Panel: Sourcing Showrooms and Showhouses,” which will address the symbiotic relationship between showrooms, designers and vendors at 2:30 p.m. on July 19. All three seminars will be offered in the Building 1, Floor 14 Seminar Space.
Market Serves Gourmet Education
Three days of immersive cooking demonstrations will offer instruction on how to prepare three “quintessential summer dishes,” per a release from Atlanta Market. Anne Byrn’s “Baking in the American South” will feature classic southern treats on July 16; the “Ela Demonstration” will serve up Mediterranean favorites and creative cocktails on July 17; and Agatha Achindu will prepare her coconut jollof rice and everyday kale salad in the “Agatha Achindu Demo + Book Signing” for “Bountiful Cooking: Wholesome Everyday Meals to Nourish You & Your Family” on July 18. All three sessions will be held at 2:30 p.m. in the JURA Demonstration Kitchen in Building 2, Floor 8.
Celebrations Augment Education
Industry fêtes, floor parties and daily amenities will round out the market experience over four days of celebrations, bringing refreshments, light bites and community to the summer event.
Buyers can enjoy a morning pick-me-up with Andmore design services manager, Caroline Russell, at Cappuccinos with Caroline at 9 a.m. July 17-19. Andmore buyer services director, Logan Avidon, will also host a New Buyer Breakfast at 9 a.m. July 17-18.
Parties and live tunes offered throughout the AmericasMart campus will enhance market celebrations. Andmore’s annual Market Kickoff Party will feature complimentary drinks and light bites to celebrate summer market and opening day of the temporaries at 6 p.m. on July 17. Daily Afternoon Beats will offer live music by DJ Ree de la Vega starting at 3:30 p.m. July 18-20.
Outdoor Living Provides Additional Programming
Atlanta Market will offer buyers additional cross-category sourcing and educational opportunities at Casual Market Atlanta, running July 15-18, at AmericasMart Atlanta. The concurrent buying event “offers synergistic discovery,” per a release, with more than 170 complementary casual furniture and outdoor accessories resources.
Two events, presented by International Casual Furnishings Association (ICFA), will provide additional opportunities to both event attendees. First up, Trends in Outdoor Living Tour + Lunch will provide insights into consumer purchasing trends at noon on July 16, and from 3-6 p.m. on July 18, Cocktails + Casual will offer light bites and beverages in casual showrooms in Building 1, Floors 2-6.
A complete, updated listing of events are available online at Atlanta Market’s website.
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