ATLANTA – May 17, 2016 – Inspiration abounds at AmericasMart Atlanta as tastemakers and thought leaders share fresh ideas for business excellence at The Atlanta International Gift and Home Furnishings Market (Showrooms: July 12-19; Temporaries: July 14-18) and The Atlanta International Area Rug Market (July 13-16). The trendsetting market presents a robust schedule of educational presentations, networking events and industry celebrations.
Interior design influencers appearing at the Market include Elizabeth Ralls of Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles discussing antiques in the digital age with Toma Clark Haines, of The Antiques Diva & Co and Beth Webb and Ben Cochrane of Caroline Faison Antiques; Julia Buckingham, Bobby Berk, Erinn Valencich and licensing authority Kate Verner of KV + Associates sharing the inside track on licensing and building an authentic brand; Carley Knobloch, tech expert and HGTV host, showcasing apps for creative businesses; Ron Woodson and Jaime Rummerfield of Woodson & Rummerfield's House of Design and Caleb Anderson of Drake/Anderson discussing capturing cultural inspiration in interiors on a panel moderated by Marisa Marcantonio of “StyleBeat;†Tom Mirabile, senior vice president of Global Trend and Design for Lifetime Brands sharing top home trends for 2016; and Robert Leleux, Antonino Buzzetta, Barbara Westbrook, Zak Profera and Denise McGaha discussing the benefits and challenges of showhouses.
In the lifestyle category, entertaining expert and award-winning event architect Tara Guerard shares the secrets to mastering the desirable indoor-outdoor lifestyle.
The AmericasMart demonstration kitchen is more interactive than ever with four participation classes held throughout the market. Buyers learn to make tasty libations in two classes from the talented bartenders at new downtown hotspot JP Atlanta, and try their hand at rolling sushi in two Sushi 101 classes. Inspirational chef presentations range from chef Fabio Viviani sharing his favorite go-to Italian-inflected recipes for home cooks to the Donutologist Todd Jones preparing and presenting his twist on Southern style donuts, Chef Zeb Stevenson of Watershed on Peachtree sharing Southern favorites and blogger, author and baker, Manuela Kjeilen giving tips and tricks for making the perfect dessert. Atlanta's brunch culture is also celebrated in a demonstration kitchen with brunch masters from Atlanta landmarks Twisted Soul, Buckhead Diner, Thumbs Up Diner and West Egg sharing their mouthwatering morning picks.
The education center, AmericasMart's celebrated business educational programming, again presents a series of mini workshops throughout the Market. The 30 minute informational Essentials for Success sessions feature business advice for retailers by Lyn Chin of Global Purchasing Group, Linley + Lauren of the LP2 Boutique Agency, and REstyleSOURCE.
AmericasMart celebrates the home, gift and rug industries through a series of at-Market events. ICON HONORS 2016 will be staged at Atlanta's world-renowned Fox Theatre in a dramatically new staging featuring an iconic venue rich in cultural and entertainment history. The 1929 movie palace will see more than 1,000 finalists, honorees and guests on hand for the evening's cocktail reception and buffet dinner served in the theatre's Egyptian Ballroom and Grand Salon with the ICON HONORS 2016 celebration following on the Fox's 80-foot stage, capped by top flight entertainment amid the theatre's superb acoustics. The July Market's new favorite tradition, the White Party is again the signature event of the Market, taking place in the Vignette Gallery.
Other happenings during the Market include the vignette design exhibition It's All Here – Where Retail Meets Design and the Portman Boulevard Food Truck Park.
A full list of Market programming follows and can be found at www.AmericasMart.com/July.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 13
Cooking Demonstration Brunch Series: Southern Stick-to-Your-Ribs Brunch
Presented by Chef Deborah VanTrece of Twisted Soul
10:30 – 11:30 a.m. | Building 2, Floor 8, Demonstration Kitchen
Watch Chef Deborah VanTrece cook up a delectable Southern soul food brunch. She will prepare chicken thighs, sweet potato hash and skillet-poached eggs.
Cooking Demonstration Series: Summer in the South
Presented by Chef Zeb Stevenson of Watershed on Peachtree
Noon – 1 p.m. | Building 2, Floor 8, Demonstration Kitchen
Chef Zef Stevenson prepares a summer themed lunch with a vegetable and rice bowl with spiced stewed eggplant and peach, basil and cucumber salad.
Maker Homeware introduces Amy Sichmeller and The Everyday Epicurist
Presented by Amy Sichmeller
1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Building 2, Floor 8, Demonstration Kitchen
Food blogger, recipe developer and chef for Maker Homeware, Amy Sichmeller will demonstrate the healthy benefits of using the newly launched product lines that includes Maker Homeware's new SmartSteam Cookware. From cooking, grilling, and baking, using great recipes and tips Amy will exhibit the versatility of all of the Maker Homeware products.
EnterainINg & OUT -- Tips on Blending the Indoor & Outdoor Lifestyle for Your Next Fete
Featuring Tara Guerard, Award-Winning Event Architect & Owner of Tara Guerard Soiree
2 – 3 p.m. | Building 1, Floor 15, Designer Workspace
Learn the secrets to mastering the desirable indoor-outdoor lifestyle and stylish entertaining, courtesy of one of the industry's best: event and wedding planner Tara Guerard. Known for her exquisite events and ability to turn a client's dream into a reality, the Charleston-based Guerard has garnered national acclaim, landing on Vogue magazine's list of Five Star Wedding Planners. Tara will share tips and tricks she's learned over her 20 years of designing large-scale events and how to bring those thoughtful details into more intimate social environments and outdoor spaces.
Mixology Class with JP Atlanta
4 – 5 p.m. | Building 2, Floor 8, Demonstration Kitchen
Learn how to mix specialty cocktails like the masters in this free, hands-on seminar. You'll make Hilliard's Atrium, Mai Way Whiskey, and Draper Redux (Old Fashioned) just like the pros. These drinks are sure to impress your guests. RSVP now to Rachel Shin at rshin@americasmart.com.
THURSDAY, JULY 14
Aged to Perfection: Why Antiques are Essential to Design Today, and How the Industry is Meeting Digital-age Demand
Moderated by Elizabeth Ralls, editor-in-chief of Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles featuring Toma Clark Haines, chief executive diva of The Antiques Diva & Co, Beth Webb of Beth Webb Interiors and Ben Cochrane of Caroline Faison Antiques
10 – 11 a.m. | Building 1, Floor 15, Designer Workspace
Access to antique--and trusted dealers around the world --has never been easier, thanks to a world where connections are made instantly through social media, a testament to the power of visual marketing. There's never been a better time to be in (or shop) the antiques industry, with quality items and indispensable knowledge available at the swipe of a smart phone. Antiques (and authenticity) are more desirable than ever. Leading experts will discuss how the antique market has changed, why antiques are essential to design projects across a wide range of ages and aesthetics, and how to thoughtfully integrate the quality and history of such time-honed treasures into well-edited, elegant, yet unpretentious interiors.
Cooking Demonstration Brunch Series
Presented by Buckhead Diner
10:30 – 11:30 a.m. | Building 2, Floor 8, Demonstration Kitchen
Chef Charles Schwab will prepare pulled BBQ pork Benedict with poached eggs, japaleno bread and smoky chipotle hollandaise.
Five Retailing Trends You Will Want To Watch
Presented by Lyn Chin of Global Purchasing Group
11 a.m. – Noon | Building 2, Floor 9, Seminar Room, 934/930B
The scope of the retail industry is quickly evolving as factors such as mobile technology, retailer expansion into global markets, and supply chain sophistication affect how business is being done. Learn how many important retailers are changing the game by taking risks with new strategies and finding great success.
Cooking Demonstration Series: Southern Comfort
Presented by Todd Jones, Donutologist
Noon – 1 p.m. | Building 2, Floor 8, Demonstration Kitchen
See the Donutologist prepare and present his twist on Southern style donuts featuring his Bourbon Bacon Minis, topped off with bacon.
Brand Extension: The Inside Track on Licensing and Building an Authentic Brand
Featuring interior designers Julia Buckingham, Bobby Berk, and Erinn Valencich, and licensing authority Kate Verner
Noon – 1 p.m. | Building 1, Floor 15, Designer Workspace
The idea of licensing your brand and creating an eponymous collection is a dream for many designers, but it's not for the faint of heart. There are many different paths to get there. While it has the potential to expand your world of opportunities, it can be an overwhelming process requiring massive amounts of collaboration, patience and marketing prowess. Join top designers who have successfully launched collections and lifestyle brands, Julia Buckingham, Bobby Berk, and Erinn Valencich, along with the advice of luxury industry licensing authority Kate Verner, to discuss the ins-and-outs of aligning with the right partners, how to develop a collection, taking it to market, and building a long-term brand that stays true to your vision.
Promotions for Profit
Presented by Lyn Chin of Global Purchasing Group
1 – 1:30 p.m. | Building 2, Floor 9, Seminar Room, 934/930B
Understand the how-to of retail promotions that will keep your store fresh and build on the customer experience.
Easy & Elegant In-Home Entertaining: The New Way of Living
Presented by Marc J. Sievers, author of Entertaining with Love
Sponsored by Rosse & Associates Showroom and DeVine Corporation
1:30 – 2:30 p.m. | Building 2, Floor 8, Demonstration Kitchen
Fabulous in-home entertaining with style is still alive and well. Marc J. Sievers, entertaining expert and author of best-selling lifestyle cookbook Entertaining with Love, will demonstrate the new way of living, combining all the elements of savvy home cooking and chic entertaining. From grocery store flowers turned fabulous to easy and elegant tablesetting ideas, using luxurious and sophisticated tabletop products from DeVine Corporation located in the Rosse & Associates Showroom. Sample recipes from his cookbook and blog of French omelets, petite salad with mustard vinaigrette and his signature honey lavender truffles. He will share his best entertaining tips that you can demonstrate in your store. A meet and greet with book signing follows after the demonstration.
The Magic of Merchandising
Presented by Lyn Chin of Global Purchasing Group
2 – 2:30 p.m. | Building 2, Floor 9, Seminar Room, 934/930B
Learn how vital merchandising is when it comes to attracting customers, making sales and building a brand. Also, get tips from those who are doing it right.
Create, Manage, Thrive: Apps That Help You Crush It In Your Creative Business
Presented by Carley Knobloch, tech expert and HGTV host
2 – 3 p.m.
Building 1, Floor 15, Designer Workspace
Which apps do you really need, and which ones are right for your unique workflow? Tech expert and HGTV host Carley Knobloch is here to answer your questions and offer a crash course on the latest and greatest apps for interior designers and independent retailers. She will run through her recommendations for organizing, managing and promoting your creative business in a fun and accessible way.
Creating the Ultimate Sales Team
Presented by Lyn Chin of Global Purchasing Group
3 – 3:30 p.m. | Building 2, Floor 9, Seminar Room, 934/930B
First-hand information on finding, interviewing and training an expert staff, including the five key training points every successful retailer needs to know in order to increase sales.
New Math for Retailers
Presented by Lyn Chin of Global Purchasing Group
4 – 4:30 p.m. | Building 2, Floor 9, Seminar Room, 934/930B
Get to know why traditional keystoning won't make you a profitable business and other numbers that are critical to know.
Sushi 101
4 – 5 p.m. | Building 2, Floor 8, Demonstration Kitchen
Learn how to make specialty dishes like the masters in this free, hands-on seminar. You'll make classic sushi rolls just like the pros. These dishes are sure to impress your guests! RSVP now to Rachel Shin at rshin@americasmart.com.
Using Online Retailing to Your Advantage
Presented by Lyn Chin of Global Purchasing Group
5 – 5:30 p.m. | Building 2, Floor 9, Seminar Room, 934/930B
We hear about new and popular online retailers every day. What we don't hear is the reality of what it takes to run an e-tail-only business that makes money. Learn how to engage in the digital world that will be profitable for you.
FRIDAY, JULY 15
Put Your Wanderlust To Work: Capturing Cultural Inspiration in Your Interiors
Featuring Ron Woodson & Jaime Rummerfield of Woodson & Rummerfield's House of Design and designer Caleb Anderson of Drake/ Anderson, moderated by Marisa Marcantonio of “StyleBeatâ€
10 – 11 a.m. | Building 1, Floor 15, Designer Workspace
Join a lively discussion on design, led by style arbiter Marisa Marcantonio of “Stylebeat†blog, as top designers share their appreciation for travel, history and culture—and the influence it has in their interiors. Where we travel can have a great influence on our approach to design. The panel will share how to capture this inspiration, marry it with the treasures collected by clients, and put it all to work in well-edited interiors. Attendees will be armed with loads of inspiration that'll fuel new design risks that pay off.
Cooking Demonstration Brunch Series: Southern Ground
Presented by Talcott Printz of Thumbs Up Diner
10:30 – 11:30 a.m. | Building 2, Floor 8, Demonstration Kitchen
As chef, owner, and operator of several of Atlanta's popular breakfast and brunch diners, Chef Talcott knows his way around a Southern brunch. He'll prepare shrimp and stone-ground Georgia mountain grits with biscuits and gravy.
Takin' Care of Business
Presented By Linley + Lauren, LP2 Boutique Agency
11 a.m. – Noon | Building 2, Floor 9, Seminar Room, 934/930B
Retailers have so many responsibilities that it's easy to work in your store without ever working on your store, but when you take care of your business, your business takes care of you. It's time to go with the can't-miss WORK//FLOW goal setting process from goal-getters Linley+Lauren.. Using their WORK//SHEETS, you'll uncover your top goals – for yourself and your store – then design quarterly, monthly and daily TAKE//CARE lists to burst through them.
Cooking Demonstration Series: Real Food, Made Simply at Home
Presented by Celebrity Chef Fabio Viviani
Noon – 1 p.m. | Building 2, Floor 8, Demonstration Kitchen
Born and raised in Florence, Italy, where he perfected the classic Italian cooking that has made him famous, Fabio Viviani he has embraced the food of his new home with a passion. He will share his favorite go-to Italian-inflected recipes that most home cooks would never attempt, and demonstrate how quick and simple they are to prepare. Fabio's unique energy and entertaining personality will make this an event to not miss.
Social Stylin' and Profilin'
Presented By Linley + Lauren, LP2 Boutique Agency
1 – 1:30 p.m. | Building 2, Floor 9, Seminar Room, 934/930B
Shoppers have to be exposed to your brand at least seven times before they're ready to buy. Brand builders Linley+Lauren will walk you through a branding bootcamp to develop your brand statement, mood boards and style guide, so you can get your customers to stop scrolling and start shopping.
iPhotogenic
Presented By Linley + Lauren, LP2 Boutique Agency
2 – 2:30 p.m. | Building 2, Floor 9, Seminar Room, 934/930B
A picture's worth a thousand bucks, or it can be when done right. Don't "shutter" at your photos anymore. B.Y.O.P. (that's Bring Your Own Phone) to this hands-on "faux-to" shoot with sharpshooters Linley+Lauren. Take away 10 tips guaranteed to help you style, shoot and share pics of your showroom picks like a pro.
Top Home Trends 2016: The New Rules of Engagement
Featuring Tom Mirabile, Senior Vice President of Global Trend and Design for Lifetime Brands
2 – 3 p.m. | Building 1, Floor 15, Designer Workspace
Ever-changing influences, technologies and expectations make success challenging in the extremely competitive home, gift and accessories market. This presentation explores the essential elements of success in this environment, giving new insights into today's multi-faceted, multi-generational “home†consumer. Tom Mirabile, Senior Vice President of Global Trend and Design for Lifetime Brands, Inc. and Contributing Editor for Pantone, will reveal the most important consumer and lifestyle trends and what they mean for both retailers and manufacturers. You'll leave with a deeper understanding of what your customers want—and how you can provide it. Tom Mirabile provides creative direction and for some of the most well respected retailers and brands in the home, housewares and tabletop industries. He’s held senior merchant and product development positions with Neiman Marcus Group, Macy's, and Bloomingdale's, and has co-designed home collections for such icons as Vera Wang, Calvin Klein and Kenneth Cole.
Instaglam
Presented By Linley + Lauren, LP2 Boutique Agency
3 – 3:30 p.m. | Building 2, Floor 9, Seminar Room, 934/930B
Sure, it's the fastest growing social media site, but are your store's sales growing with it? From your profile to your pictures, Insta experts Linley+Lauren will share their secret formula to dressing your Instagram for success. And by success, they mean sales.
WTF (Why The Facebook?!?)
Presented By Linley + Lauren, LP2 Boutique Agency
4 – 4:30 p.m. | Building 2, Floor 9, Seminar Room, 934/930B
Let's face it… it's hard for retailers to get face time with shoppers on Facebook these days. The average post reaches just 2% of your followers. Social media mavens Linley+Lauren will show you how to make your posts and ads count – as in, counting all the money you'll make. Lose the stress and see success with their Facebook-made-simple system for retailers.
Mixology Class with JP Atlanta
4 – 5 p.m. | Building 2, Floor 8, Demonstration Kitchen
Learn how to mix specialty cocktails like the masters in this free, hands-on seminar. You'll make Hilliard's Atrium, Mai Way Whiskey, and Draper Redux (Old Fashioned) just like the pros. These drinks are sure to impress your guests! RSVP now to Rachel Shin at rshin@americasmart.com.
The Truth about Show Houses: Straight Talk about the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of Being Showcased
Featuring Robert Leleux and interior designers Antonino Buzzetta, Barbara Westbrook, Zak Profera and Denise McGaha
4 – 5 p.m. | Building 1, Floor 15, Designer Workspace
Show houses are known to be some of the best displays of unbridled creativity and career highs—often boosting designers into the press spotlight and next orbit. But behind the scenes of these incredible showcases are massive complexities with a variety of opportunity costs to consider. Step inside some of the most celebrated show houses of the past year and hear directly from top designers who will share inspiration, as well as their take on the prestige (and a few pitfalls) that come with the territory. Moderator Robert Leleux will talk candidly with leading designers on criteria that designers should consider, tips on recruiting vendors, and the long-term value of participating in show houses.
Social Selling
Presented By Linley + Lauren, LP2 Boutique Agency
5 – 5:30 p.m. | Building 2, Floor 9, Seminar Room, 934/930B
No website? No worries! Turn social followers into shoppers by selling directly on social media. Social smarties Linley+Lauren will share how you can feed your bank accounts through your social media feeds with their ecommerce-made-easy plan for retailers.
SATURDAY, JULY 16
Cooking Demonstration Brunch Series: A Southern Brunch
Presented by West Egg
10:30 – 11:30 a.m. | Building 2, Floor 8, Demonstration Kitchen
Chef Andrew Smith will be cooking up a delicious Southern-inspired menu. He'll prepare an ambrosia citrus salad with orange, grapefruit, and coconut, as well as house-made chicken sausage strata with wild mushrooms, spinach, and roasted tomato hollandaise.
Cooking Demonstration Series: Passion for Baking
Presented by Manuela Kjeilen
Noon – 1 p.m. | Building 2, Floor 8, Demonstration Kitchen
Bring your sweet tooth to this delightful baking demonstration. Blogger, author and baker, Manuela Kjeilen shares tips and tricks to making the perfect dessert.
Sushi 101
4 – 5 p.m. | Building 2, Floor 8, Demonstration Kitchen
Learn how to make specialty dishes like the masters in this free, hands-on seminar. You'll make classic sushi rolls just like the pros. These dishes are sure to impress your guests. RSVP now to Rachel Shin at rshin@americasmart.com.