LA Mart Celebrates Successful 60th Anniversary Show
Winter Market at the LA Mart brimmed with excitement and energy as the show celebrated its diamond anniversary, commemorating six decades of business and the building’s 1958 grand opening.
“I want to say thanks for continually elevating the level of the LA Mart. The energy and the vibe in the building gets better each year. I enjoy working LA more than any other Mart because while it is still all business, the atmosphere is better than any other show!” Gary M. Giller, CEO of Katherine’s Collection.
As part of the celebration, the lobby was transformed into a vintage black and white 1958 movie premier touting the tag line ‘Celebrating 60 Years in Show Business,” playing on the fact that the LA Mart has been producing trade shows for the past six decades. Upon entering the building, the thousands and thousands of attendees were greeted by multiple vintage, larger-than-life size photographs, that were spread throughout the lobby, of paparazzi snapping photos of the attendees and 8-foot-tall images of the biggest movie stars of 1958, including Elizabeth Taylor, Joan Crawford, Lucille Ball, Clark Gable, Jayne Mansfield, Greta Garbo and Grace Kelly, all dressed in their finest evening wear to attend the faux 1958 movie premier.
The centerpiece of the premier was a giant 10 by 10-foot black and white photograph of Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell placing their handprints into the wet cement outside the famous Grauman’s Chinese Theater to commemorate their blockbuster film, “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.” This theme was all tied up in a perfect knot by the dozens of 60th anniversary LA Mart “Walk of Fame Stars,” each depicting the name of a showroom and its location, artfully displayed throughout the lobby floor.
“I had a really good show and the building looks great!” exclaimed Terese McMullen, Manager Rancho Santa Fe Pharmacy. “Thanks, LA Mart!”
On Friday night, the LA Mart welcomed everyone to the Diamond Anniversary Ball, a party that included a full sit-down dinner, drinks, dancing and a very special tribute to the history of the LA Mart and to two of its long-time employees Barbara Jones, Leasing Manager and Pamela Kennedy, Dock Manager, both of whom have been with the LA Mart for 35 years or more. Surprise celebrity guests included 1958 actresses “Marilyn Monroe” and “Lucille Ball,” who posed with guests at the entrance’s step-and-repeat and entertained the crowd of some 400 guests who attended the gala.
“To have such outstanding attendance at this winter market be complimented by our 60th anniversary celebration was truly the cherry on top of the cake.” articulated Frank Joens, Senior Vice President, General Manager, LA Mart. “Showrooms are going bonkers at the heightened size of the crowds and the wonderful sales that this great buyer traffic is producing. This is a super successful market and a fantastic milestone for the LA Mart. We are pleased to be the largest gift resource on the west coast and delighted to be becoming known as the only western buying choice to find unique, boutique lines not available anywhere else in the country. If a store is looking for an amazing shopping experience and products that will differentiate them from all their competitors, the LA Mart is definitely the place to shop!”
