Summer Atlanta Market Buzzes With Optimism and Buying Activity

August 4, 2021

For many buyers at last month’s Summer 2021 Atlanta Market, returning to the biannual gift, décor and lifestyle market felt like a homecoming. Held July 13-19 at AmericasMart Atlanta, the show beat industry expectations with an uptick in out-of-region attendees, independent retailers and buying groups, along with enthusiastic reports of record-breaking sales across its home and gift collections.

“The safety measures and the graciousness of the Atlanta Market staff have left me with a smile on my face and an incredible hope for the future of our business and brick and mortar stores!” said Jorge Gonzalez, buyer and general merchandising manager for Draeger’s HOME & Market.

According to officials from International Market Centers (IMC), which owns and produces the event, pent-up demand for inventory led to aggressive buying by retailers and designers, who hailed from all 50 states and more than 30 countries, with the most notable growth in Midwest and Northeast buyer numbers.

Additionally, the show appeared to be returning to its pre-pandemic size and scope, outpacing the Winter 2021 Market by growing nearly 55% in attendance and ultimately beating IMC’s pre-market projections with more than 85% of the Summer 2019 Market turnout. By the close of business on July 14, the show had also surpassed its Summer 2020 attendance figures.

“Atlanta Market was exactly what buyers and sellers needed right now,” said Bob Maricich, CEO of IMC. “The buzz about the market quickly traveled through the industry, and the brands and buyers who did not attend were really feeling like they missed out. We’re confident that their need to be a part of Atlanta Market will accelerate the growth of the Winter Market in 2022.” 

Serious Buyers, Serious Business

Summer Market buyers sourced from more than 8,000 lines showcasing gift, gourmet, home décor, juvenile, lifestyle, personal care, stationery and tabletop, including more than 1,000 in the temporary exhibits, which doubled over the Winter 2021 staging. Additionally, the market’s more than 1,000 gift and home décor showrooms featured nearly 60 new, relocated or expanded brands. 

According to IMC officials, many retailers and designers said they had chosen Atlanta Market as their first market after a pandemic hiatus or as their first market ever for in-person sourcing. 

“As [my first day] progressed, I eased back into the comfort of walking the show and passing by showrooms buzzing with buyers,” said Tara Riceberg of Tesoro and Tweak in Los Angeles, Calif. “When I descended the last escalator, I wanted to pinch myself. I had just had the most spectacular day! It was replete with desirable objects, wonderful conversations, hugs from old friends and foundations for new relationships. It was simply everything I hope a show would be!”

The show also presented an opportunity for showroom brands to return to the face-to-face experience, with many exhibitors across all market categories reporting brisk, record-breaking sales from serious buyers eager to touch, feel and order product. 

“This was our first time exhibiting in a trade show in 18 months!” said Henry Cornell of M. Cornell. “We greatly missed the personal interaction with customers during that 1.5 years. There simply is no substitute for personally meeting customers. Atlanta is back and we’re so grateful!”

As if all that buzz wasn’t enough, the 2021 Summer Market also marked the return of at-market events organized by IMC, exhibitors and industry organizations, including a standing-room-only Market Kick-Off party, in-showroom special events, anniversaries and ribbon-cutting celebrations, and charitable fundraising gatherings.

The Winter 2022 Atlanta Market will return to AmericasMart Jan. 11–18.

  

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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.