IMC Launches B2B E-commerce Division for Gift and Home Furnishings Markets

February 20, 2020

International Market Centers, the world’s largest operator of showroom space for the furniture, gift, home décor, rug and apparel industries, has launched a new B2B digital and e-commerce division. Dubbed IMC_di (the “di” stands for digital innovation), the new division comes alongside IMC’s acquisitions of two technology companies specializing in the gift, home and apparel industries: Pharos, an integrated sales, marketing and commissioning software; and RepZio, a patented B2B sales platform and digital marketplace. 

The resulting e-commerce platform - currently in development - will be designed to bridge physical and digital sales to help IMC vendors reach new buyers, capture leads and grow sales, while allowing buyers to carry out transactions either in-person or online through one integrated account.

According to IMC officials, IMC_di will build upon the nearly 20 million square feet of furniture, gift, home décor, rug, and apparel markets that the company owns and operates in Atlanta, Las Vegas and High Point, N.C. 

“This is a game-changing opportunity for IMC and the industries we serve,” said Bob Maricich, CEO of IMC. “IMC_di’s customer-centric digital tools will connect physical and digital markets and will amplify the business-to-business and person-to-person experiences that make our markets so special.” 

He continued, “This new digital platform will enhance and extend IMC’s physical markets — connecting hundreds of thousands of buyers and sellers — and open new business opportunities for customers. We look forward to delivering a seamlessly integrated omni-channel B2B commerce platform to the industry.”

IMC

IMC_di’s digital transactional marketplace will be one of three products available to industry buyers and sellers. The other two, which are currently available, include sales and marketing automation software (sales scanning apps, product management and email tools, CRM systems and ecommerce website) and at-market smart showroom tools (badge scanning, data capture and sales).

In addition to supplier and buyer benefits, IMC_di’s products will also work in harmony with multi-line sales agencies to provide for seamless commissioning execution.  

IMC_di’s leadership will include principals from both Pharos, RepZio and IMC, with Pharos Founder Eric Dean taking the helm as IMC_di’s president. RepZio Founders Max and Alex Fraser, as well as Brandon Ward, who currently leads IMC’s digital services, will serve as senior vice presidents. 

“Our industry is in need of easy-to-access tech solutions that reduce friction, and IMC’s ownership and stewardship will enable us to make that software solution a reality,” Dean said. “IMC’s physical markets and web platforms already deliver a global and highly-engaged audience. After watching this need develop in the industry for more than 20 years, I’m excited to have the talent and resources to realize this vision and fully address the opportunity in the market.” 

The division’s new team of 47 will include engineers, developers and software marketers. Within the next 12 months, an additional 50-75 full-time employees focused on solution-based product development, hands-on customer success and on-boarding, and user experience will be hired, according to IMC officials.

“Since its founding in 2011, IMC’s mission has been clear and consistent: to provide the most effective, efficient and compelling B2B Marketplace for the industries we serve – for both buyers and sellers,” Maricich explained. “IMC_di is the logical next step in our commitment to this mission, making discovery more efficient, relationships more valuable, and our physical markets more effective for our industry.”

Learn more about IMC_di by watching this short video.

  

Don’t miss any event-related news: Sign up for our weekly e-newsletter HERE and engage with us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram!

Add new comment

Partner Voices
Less than six months ago, Lisa Messina joined the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) as the first-ever chief sales officer after leading the sales team at Caesars Entertainment. A 12-year Las Vegas resident, Messina is a graduate of Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration and serves on MPI International’s board of directors. TSNN had a chance to catch up with this dynamic leader and talk to her about her vision for the new role, current shifts in the trade show industry, creating more diversity and equity within the organization, and advice to future female leaders. Lisa Messina, Chief Sales Officer, LVCVA With Las Vegas becoming The Greatest Arena on EarthTM, what are some of the things you’re most excited about in your role? Our team was at The Big Game’s handoff ceremony earlier this month, and I couldn’t help but think, “We’re going to crush it next year!”  These high-profile events and venues not only drive excitement, but also provide unmatched opportunities for event planners. Allegiant Stadium hosts events from 10 to 65,000 people and offers on-field experiences. Formula 1 Grand Prix will take place in Las Vegas in November, after the year-one F1 race, the four-story paddock building will be available for buyouts and will also offer daily ride-along experiences that will be available for groups. And, of course, the MSG Sphere officially announced that it will open in September, ahead of schedule, with a U2 residency. It’s going to be the most technologically advanced venue as far as lighting, sound, feel, and even scent, and it will be available for buyouts and next-level sponsorships inside and outside. There’s no ceiling to what you can do when you’re doing events in Las Vegas.  Allegiant Stadium As the trade show and convention business returns to the pre-pandemic levels, what shifts are you noticing and how do you think they will impact the industry going forward? Our trade show organizers are very focused on driving customer experience. Most of our organizers are reporting stronger exhibitor numbers and increased numbers of new exhibitors, with trade shows proving to be almost or above 2019 levels. Now our organizers are really doubling down on driving attendance and focusing on the data to provide that individualized, customized experience to help attendees meet their goals and get the best value. Some companies continue to be cautiously optimistic with their organizational spend when it comes to sending attendees, but I think it will continue to improve. As the U.S. Travel Association makes more progress on the U.S. visa situation, we also expect a growing influx of international attendees. What are some innovative ways the LVCVA helps trade show and convention organizers deliver the most value for their events? We focus on customer experience in the same way that trade show organizers are thinking about it. We got rave reviews with the West Hall Expansion of the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC), so over the next two years, we will be renovating the North and the Central halls, which will include not just the same look and feel, but also the digital experiences that can be leveraged for branding and sponsorship opportunities.  Vegas Loop, the underground transportation system designed by The Boring Company, is also a way we have enhanced the customer experience. Vegas Loop at the LVCC has transported more than 900,000 convention attendees across the campus since its 2021 launch. Last summer, Resorts World and The Boring Company opened the first resort stop at the Resorts World Las Vegas , with plans to expand throughout the resort corridor, including downtown Las Vegas, Allegiant Stadium and Harry Reid International Airport. The LVCVA also purchased the Las Vegas Monorail in 2020, the 3.9-mile-long elevated transportation system that connects eight resorts directly to the convention center campus. This is the only rail system in the world that integrates fares directly into show badges and registration. For trade show organizers, these transportation options mean saving time, money and effort when it comes to moving groups from the hotels to LVCC and around the city. Also, the more we can focus on building the infrastructure around the convention center, the more it supports the customer experience and ultimately supports our trade show organizers. Scheduled to debut in Q4, Fontainebleau Las Vegas will offer 3,700 hotel rooms and 550,000 square feet of meeting and convention space next to LVCC.  What are some of the plans for advancing DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) within your organization? We’re currently partnering with instead of working with a leading consulting firm, to lay the foundation and create a solid DEI plan and be the leader when it comes to DEI initiatives. The heart of that journey with the consulting firm is also talking to our customers about their strategic approaches to DEI and driving innovation in this space.  What are your favorite ways to recharge? My husband and I have an RV and we’re outdoorsy people. So, while we have over 150,000 world-class hotel rooms and renowned restaurants right outside our doorstep, one of my favorite things to do is get out to Red Rock Canyon, the Valley of Fire, and Lake Mead. Five of the top national parks are within a three-hour drive from Las Vegas, so there’s a lot you can do. We love balancing the energy of Las Vegas with nature, and we’re noticing that a lot of attendees add activities off the Strip when they come here.  Valley of Fire What advice would you give to women following leadership paths in destination marketing? I think it’s about being laser-focused on what you want to accomplish; building a team around you that lifts you and helps you achieve your goals; and being humble and realizing that you do it as a group. No one gets this done alone. Thankfully, there are a lot of women in leadership in this organization, in our customers’ organizations, and in this city that we can be really proud of. We’re a formidable force that is making things happen.   This interview has been edited and condensed. This article is exclusively sponsored by the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority. For more information, visit HERE.