Casual Market Chicago Announces Keynote Presentations
Top Industry Leaders to Converge at The Mart September 20–23 Casual Market Chicago, held at The Merchandise Mart September 20–23, will feature three compelling keynote presenters to address a variety of topics including technology, styling trends and the latest outdoor trends. For more than 35 years, Casual Market Chicago has been the must attend trade fair for outdoor living and, it’s the only show in North America dedicated to the casual and outdoor furnishings industry that is exclusively endorsed by the International Casual Furnishings Association (ICFA).
Schedule of Keynote Presentations
• Keynote Presentation:
Interior Design Meets Exterior Design:
Tips and Tactics on Blurring the Lines Between Indoor and Outdoor Décor
Tuesday, September 20, Presentation Room, Floor 7, 12:00pm—1:00pm
Presented by: Libby Langdon | Libby Langdon Outdoor for NorthCape
Libby Langdon shares her insight on the latest outdoor trends, design inspiration and how consumer’s lifestyle changes are affecting where the casual living market is headed. She breaks down how retailers and designers can appeal to the increasing number of homeowners that want fully furnished and completely designed outside spaces just as they would any interior spaces in their home. In a fast paced, visual presentation, Libby arms you with ways to boost your business by tapping into this exterior market movement of consumers that are looking to create a total outdoor haven.
About Libby Langdon:
Designer, author and makeover television personality Libby Langdon is the creative force behind New York City-based design firm, Libby Interiors, Inc. Her residential and commercial designs embodying her “easy, elegant, everyday style” have won widespread fans. Langdon is fast-becoming known for her growing collections of branded home furnishings featuring her signature combination of classic lines with a chic, modern twist. Libby will launch her first Outdoor Collection for NorthCape July 2016. On the web at www.libbylangdon.com
• Keynote Presentation:
Every Consumer is a Digital Consumer: How Technology has Changed Durable Goods Retail
Wednesday, September 21, Floor 7, Presentation Room, 12:00pm–1:00pm
Presented by: Jennie Gilbert | Chief Operating Officer, Retailer Web Services
You know a lot about your own customers… but what about the prospects that could have done business with you, but chose to do it with someone else instead? Get an inside look at how all your prospects shop today—specifically when looking for expensive new items for their home—from the industry’s first, large-scale research on the topic. Replace uncertainty and doubt with cold hard facts about how consumers’ online experiences influence what business they’ll do offline. Find out if showing prices on your website helps or hurts, what prospect information you should be tracking and how to use it, how to keep review sites like Yelp and (now) Google from harming your business, and more. Understanding your consumers and meeting their expectations in the digital world is the key to surviving disruption in today’s turbulent retail industry. Arm yourself with this data-driven, myth-busting intelligence and practical application techniques.
About Jennie Gilbert:
Chief Operating Officer of Retailer Web Services, a Scottsdale, Ariz.-based company founded in 2006, whose mission is to serve independent retailers and help them realize their dreams through the promise of technology. She has a deep understanding of the needs—and potential—of independent retailers through her direct involvement in providing software solutions and web services to more than 2,000 independent retailers throughout North America. She is the co-author of RE:THiNK: 11 surprising things you should do now to win retail customers in the digital age (Retailer Web Services, 2015).
• Keynote Presentation:
The Magic of Outdoor Living
Thursday, September 22, Floor 7, Presentation Room, 12:00pm–1:00pm
Presented by: Margot Shaw | Founder/Editor-in-Chief, flower magazine
A tour of inspiring and ingenuous outdoor spaces with tips on easy, stylish entertaining–mixing styles, colors, and textures and of course, flowers!
About Margot Shaw:
flower Magazine, originally filled with floral, garden, and event design, the niche publication has gradually broadened to include content that trumpets a floral lifestyle—interiors, art, travel, fashion, jewelry, and entertaining. Since its debut in March of 2007, flower has continued to grow at a steady pace, and is now available in all 50 U.S. states and 17 countries.
Attendees will see 250+ leading manufacturers in the outdoor/casual furniture and accessories industries in more than 350,000 square feet of exhibit space including more than 45 permanent showrooms on floors 15+16 and select showrooms on 14th floor, as well as temporary exhibitors located on the 7th floor exhibition space. It’s the first place to view the latest products, in a multitude of categories: Furnishings (including wrought iron/aluminum, cast metal/cast combination, rattan/wicker/woven materials, tubular materials, resin/fiberglass and wood), umbrellas, hammocks, grills, outdoor lighting, outdoor carpeting and rugs, garden accessories, tabletop, statues, fountains, outdoor bars, outdoor hearth and heating products, alternative tabletops and pool and spa accessories.
Casual Market Chicago is a four-day trade show that provides retailers with an outlet to find all things related to outdoor and casual living. Featuring the latest products and trends in the industry, the Casual Market features permanent showrooms and temporary exhibitors totaling approximately 350,000 square feet of exhibit in The Mart.
SOURCE: Casual Market Chicago