FloorCoveringNews

In an effort to help boost the U.S. economy and introduce retailers to companies whose products are American made, AmericasMart will unveil a Made In America category as AmericasMart presents the nation’s only global wholesale trade event of 2012: The Atlanta International Gift and Home Furnishings Market Jan. 11-18 (Temporaries: Jan. 13-17), with the Atlanta International Rug Market featuring the National Oriental Rug Show taking place Jan. 12-15.

Atlanta — As part of ongoing efforts to continually improve its campus and Market guest experience, AmericasMart has partnered with iBAHN, the global leader in IP-based entertainment and information services for the hospitality and meeting industries, to offer access to a state-of the-art Wi-Fi network.  AmericasMart now has Wi-Fi on all temporary tradeshow floors, Living, Outdoor/Indoor, The Gardens, building lobbies and meeting room spaces.

Atlanta – In the latest acknowledgement of the dynamic partnership AmericasMart maintains with its exhibitors, Orian Rugs, has expanded its AmericasMart showroom space from 3,000 square feet to 6,500 square feet, relocating to showroom 6-F-1 in Building 1.

“We are increasing our showroom space to meet the demands of our business growth, accommodate our retail partners and to be able to fully display the breadth of our impressive product portfolio,” said Mikala Moller, director of marketing for Orian Rugs. “AmericasMart has been a great forum for us to attract the retail buyers that we are partnered with and our collaboration with AmericasMart continues to drive new business to our showroom.”

ATLANTA—After more than 20 years in the lobby of AmericasMart One, Jaunty Inc. is doubling its previous space and opening a new 3,315 square foot showroom on the fifth floor of Building 1, 5-F-1.

ATLANTA—Jack Ryan has returned to AmericasMart, home of the industry’s largest rug market, as acting CFO. At the same time, Michelle Barton has been named senior vice president and controller.

ATLANTA—Those working to lure buyers into their showrooms during the summer edition of the Atlanta International Area Rug Market all agreed the lingering sluggishness of the economy is affecting their bottom line. There is, however, no general consensus on just what they can do about it.

Steve Roan, vice president of Karastan Rugs, expressed anger toward the federal government for not showing more leadership during tough times. While Roan was excited about Karastan’s products, he was less excited about the U.S. government’s handling of the economy, which he said has played a role in creating consumer uncertainty.

ATLANTA—Ever since the AmericasMart became a major player for hosting floor covering-related markets in 1980, Chas Sydney has been its face. Beginning in January 2012 with the winter edition of the Atlanta International Area Rug Market, Kevin Malkiewicz will become that face as Sydney announced his retirement as senior vice president shortly after the show’s summer edition concluded last month.

ATLANTA—AmericasMart veteran Chas Sydney, who has led the AmericasMart Atlanta area rug franchise and its predecessors for more than three decades, retires from his position as senior vice president today, according to Jeffrey Portman, Sr., president and chief operating officer of AmericasMart Atlanta and its AMC, Inc. parent entity.

ATLANTA—Neither snow nor ice could keep optimistic patrons from the Atlanta International Area Rug Market held at AmericasMart from Jan. 13 to 16. Despite a deep freeze in the Deep South, droves of buyers bustled into the market with an air of anticipation for a bright 2011.

Atlanta—AmericasMart composed a promotional video for the January Atlanta International Area Rug Market being held from Jan. 13 to 16.

ATLANTA—Comedian Woody Allen is credited with the line “80% of success is showing up.” That summed up the mood of the Atlanta International Rug Market last month, held during what even Southerners consider a scorching summer.

Chas Sydney, senior vice president of business development at AmericasMart, owner of the show, said traffic appeared to depend on price. “Many of the [companies specializing in] machine-made offerings had good traffic.” That is likely due to the continued squeeze on the economy.

ATLANTA—As the No. 1 resource for the area rug industry, the Atlanta International Area Rug Market, slated for July 15 to 18, is poised to offer retailers from around the globe a complete package of the most unique products, new business opportunities, networking and education. So said Chas Sydney, senior vice president, area rug, external business development, adding that the market will feature the newest products and designs from the industry’s leading suppliers.

This summer AmericasMart welcomes back Concepts International to a permanent showroom on Floor 3 in Building 1. “The company, which has shown at AmericasMart since 1979 in permanent and temporary spaces, has searched the world for nearly 40 years to bring its customers the most upscale products in the floor covering industry,” Sydney said.

As the host of the Atlanta International Area Rug Market, Chas Sydney, senior vice president of area rugs, feels “AmericasMart offers retailers from around the globe a complete package, including [top-notch] education.”

In addition to the vast array of product and exhibitors—half of which show exclusively in Atlanta—he noted, “AmericasMart provides retailers with the opportunity to expand their business knowledge through the AmericasMart University (AMU) program.”

AMU, Sydney said, “is the industry’s premier educational program, offering retailers a comprehensive schedule of informative business classes.” The curriculum is geared toward buyers in all industries and features a slate of facilitators, including consultants, designers, writers/authors and business practitioners.

In addition to dozens of general business classes, AMU features specific seminars for rug buyers—many of which are presented and sponsored by AmericasMart area rug association partners.