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AmericasMart Holds Largest-ever Market

More than 100,000 retailers and exhibitors participated.

Staff -- Interior Design, 2/15/2007 12:00:00 AM

AmericasMart Atlanta hosted its largest market month in a 50-year history last month, with the January 2007 International Gift & Home Furnishings and Area Rug Markets. With more than 100,000 retailers and exhibitors, the first market of 2007 brought together buyers and sellers in more than 2,000 permanent showrooms and 4,500 temporary booths—the largest number yet—including more than 500 companies exhibiting there for the first time. Attendees came from every U.S. state and 80 countries.

Highlights of the market include: Martha Stewart Area Rugs for Safavieh, which made its worldwide debut, along with a gala reception. The Coastal Lifestyles Collection and AmericasMart’s Children’s section launched and the Gardens at the market were renamed the Gardens—Casual Living & Home Décor while the Pampered Pets and the Collegiate Product Licensee Pavilion were expanded and relocated. “Afghan Impressions: Area Rug Artistry & Inspiration” brought traditional rugs, furniture reproductions, and artifacts to the market. The annual America’s Magnificent Carpets Awards and the MOI: the Museum of Introductions were both held. The 200 Area Rug Center showrooms and temporary showrooms—more than 30 of which were new to AmericasMart this year—covered more than 500,000 square feet. The Atlanta International Area Rug Market saw the return of 10 exhibitors after lengthy absences, as well as the return of broadloom in mass quantities. Finally, more than 20 major showroom remodels and expansions in the Area Rug Center were completed and open to visitors.

Next year, the Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market will take place January 8-16 and the Atlanta International Area Rug Market, featuring the National Oriental Rug Show, will take place January 17-20.