Summer Atlanta Market Means Business
Atlanta Market kicks off an unprecedented summer market season with new dates and a modified format that will allow retailers and designers to source needed new product during their recovery from the COVID-19 crisis. The 2020 summer market will be staged August 13-18, 2020 at AmericasMart® Atlanta, with buying across its complete product collection alongside introduction of new enhanced safety protocols.
“With renewed strength and focus, we are moving forward to help our community get back to business,” said Bob Maricich, International Market Centers Chief Executive Officer. “While it is going to feel like a different type of market in Atlanta, the purpose remains the same: to connect the right buyers and the right sellers at the right time.”
Atlanta Market’s 1,000+ showrooms are set to be open throughout the six-day August market. The Gift collection – with general gift merchandise and specialty categories such as gourmet, housewares, tabletop, outdoor living, juvenile and seasonal – is presented on 19 floors in more than 700 showrooms. The Home Décor collection is presented on 12 floors with more than 300 showrooms presenting lighting, accent furniture, rugs, wall décor, casual furniture, linens and more.
Despite the COVID-19 crisis, the Atlanta NEXT campus improvement plan has continued, resulting in the summer 2020 launch of a new lifestyle destination on the 11th floor of Building 2 and continued refinements to the Building 1 home décor collection. Additionally, work continues on the Building 1 lobby in preparation for its Winter 2021 debut but will have minor disruptions on the summer 2020 market. More information about Atlanta NEXT is available at AmericasMart.com/AtlantaNEXT.
Complementing the permanent showroom resources are temporaries showcasing a range of gift, home décor, gourmet, tabletop, seasonal and fashion merchandise, presented August 14-17 in a modified format that allows for social distancing and traffic management.
Guided by buyer sentiment, the Summer market’s educational programming and trend presentations will be presented exclusively online for 2020. In the months leading up to market, Atlanta Market will present educational webinars that emulate at-market seminars. From safety protocol to trends talks and social media training, buyers will be ready to arrive at market with all necessary information to have a safe and productive experience. During market, Atlanta Market will take to social media to present daily videos featuring showrooms, temporary exhibitors, safety policies and campus tours. A full schedule of virtual programming will be announced in the coming weeks.
