Success only runs one direction....
It’s official. The gift show circuit is in full swing, the starting line firmly planted in Atlanta. So…now that the show’s wrapped up and the circus has moved to other marts, how did it go? What’s the buzz?
Well, buzz there was…and then some. [click here to continue…]
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This is absurd.
The 30% tale has now ballooned to an eye-popping 40-50%, as stated by someone in a large, visible industry group (who shall remain nameless).
By NYIGF, I fully expect to hear that only seven buyers showed up in Atlanta all week. These rumors make the children’s game of “Telephone” look like an exercise in astrophysics.
Enough already.
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One of my duties (and a distinct honor) while in Atlanta is to serve as a member of the AmericasMart Advisory Board. It’s at our Monday morning meetings that voices from around the industry join with those of AMC to continue shaping the future of the shows.
Here are a couple of highlights from conversations with fellow members I think you’ll appreciate:
Sunday Saved
Most attendees know that downtown Atlanta lost all water Sunday afternoon when a water main blew, however few know how close AMC came to shutting down the show as a result. With the mandatory four hour limit approaching that would have required emptying the buildings, Virginia Gorday averted disaster by engaging the mayor’s office, the fire department, and a whole lot of maintenance staff to carefully monitor the problem, babysit pipes, and release valves as water returned to the system. In buildings this big, you can’t just turn on the tap like an outdoor spigot; there’s a carefully choreographed ballet required to get things flowing again…and Virginia’s the grande dame of pirouettes.
Dorothy and Toto Fly Solo
During the dry spell on Sunday, a handful of buyers and vendors asked me what would happen in a real emergency, like when a tornado visited Atlanta a few weeks ago (as if not having functional bathrooms after those three glasses of iced tea at lunch didn’t qualify as an emergency???). So, as Jeff Portman and I are headed back to Building One after the meeting, I asked him. Here’s the direct quote (with his permission):
“You see these buildings [while motioning to One and Two]? They’re frickin’ bunkers. That one too [motioning to Three]. Built entirely from steel and concrete. You can’t knock the things down. Frickin’ bunkers. Seriously.”
Turns out the staff was actually inside them during the tornado, with no bobbing, weaving or swaying involved. The only damage was in leaky windows and glass in the skyways, which is remarkable, and proof positive that he’s right. These things are frickin’ bunkers, which makes me frickin’ happy, in a big way.
Pretty impressive when you consider the amount of damage done to the adjoining Westin, where approximately 100 guest rooms saw their windows blown out.
Greener Days
The Mart’s a big place. Which means a big carbon footprint. Understanding the importance of reducing the latter while growing the former, AMC has committed to Green Hours, running July through September when power usage is at its heaviest. By resetting building hours during non-show times, the mart reduces energy use by a whopping 400,000 kilowatts, or 628,000 pounds of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. The new plan doesn’t impact business hours; those still stand at 10:00 a.m. ‘til 4:00 p.m. From now on, though, the building itself will shift an hour earlier, to 7:00 a.m. ‘til 4:00 p.m., which works well for everyone.
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If there’s an award for the single prettiest line at the show, it goes to Ferrare With Company. True, my inner bling attracted me to the line, but of all the sparkling, twinkling, delicious girly-girl options out there, this one is the best of the bunch. Frames, mirrors, and other accessories are encrusted with Swarovski crystals and semi-precious stones, becoming elegant pieces loving made by hand.
The candles shown above are a good entry point for upscale stores looking to test the waters. Same for the Layla frames. From there, you can grow into the more luscious pieces like the amethyst encrusted 8 x 10 frame I’d give my eye teeth to own.
For info, visit their site by clicking here or call them at 323.933.9025. If Christina herself answers the phone, you’re in for a treat. She’s a gracious as she is gorgeous.
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We got our first glimpse of Building Two West Wing tonight at the Exhibitors’ Party. Granted, the soiree was held in the cavernous area for temps that “undressed” is simply a big room, but fill that room with dramatic lights, a great band, and a whole lot of folks anxious to get moved in and you’ve got one heck of a party.
Just wait ‘til the January show; you’re gonna be blown away.
And yes, there are additional elevators.
Photo credit: The show daily published by Reed Business Information
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Welcome to the Big One. Welcome to Atlanta.
At first glance, traffic is pretty good-—not jammed, but good. According to several vendors, the “majors” (ie, the national accounts) are coming in next week in lieu of their usual pre-show visits, working around long Fourth of July vacations. Helps explain why it’s easier to snag an elevator in Building Two.
I expect to see the pattern from NSS and Dallas repeat here, with traffic sharply dropping around mid-afternoon on Sunday. Buyers haven’t forgone the big shows; they’re just squeezing them into two or three days instead of the familiar five or six.
Note to vendors: Embrace these die hard, come-hell-or-high-water retailers. They’re making it work, even if it means some sacrifice along the way.
Note to road reps: If you don’t take advantage of this, you’re nuts. There’s never been a time getting out there, in person, has been more important or more welcome.
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