Atlanta—The rich product re-sources that make Americasmart a can’t miss destination for retailers to do business will grow even richer next month when the Atlanta International Area Rug Market and the Atlanta Inter-national Gift & Home Furnishings Market come together in a historic joining of two events designed to maximize product selection, sourcing and sales. The Gift Show, scheduled from July 8 to 17 (market temporaries July 11 to 15), and the July 13 to 16 Rug Market will showcase 6.2 million square feet of space—housing 4.2 million square feet of product—in more than 2,000 showrooms and 4,000 temporary booths, all at one Atlanta address. “This is an important shift for the rug show,” said Chas Sydney, senior vice president of leasing for AmerciasMart.

“It is unlike anything we’ve ever done in the past. Furniture stores have a big propensity to move into the rug business. By us tying the two markets together, it gives those dealers attending the show a great opportunity to explore the rug industry. It allows our customers to explore a whole new world of prospects.” In an effort to draw more traffic to the Rug Market, several promotions will be offered. “On Sunday morning, the first day of the rug show, we are offering a free breakfast for all buyers on the rug floors,” he explained. “We are doing free cocktail parties on different nights of the show, as well. On Tuesday, we will be offering lunch.”

As part of the promotions, a two-year lease on a new 2003 BMW Mini Cooper will also be given away. Registration for the contest is open to all area rug and furniture retailers and will take place on floors 3 through 6 of The Area Rug Center. “The new Sunday, July 13, to Wednesday, July 16 timing makes the Atlanta Area Rug Market’s complete product mix eas-ily accessible to gift and home furnishings retailers shopping the Gift & Home Furnishings Market on prime days, when its showrooms and temporaries are operating at full capacity to accommodate peak traffic,” said Sydney. Reciprocal advantages extend to those core area rug retailers who, while traditionally drawn to the Rug Market, will find every AmericasMart product center and exhibit hall open for business and ready to serve, he noted.

“The Markets’ complementary product line-ups and joint timing signal area rugs’ growing importance in the home furnishings retail mix, and reflect the emergence of cross merchandising in traditional area rug retailing. “For home furnishings and gift retailers,” Sydney added, “the convergence offers instant access to more area rug product and more new product introductions, all, from the most respected importers and manufacturers in the area rug business.” Area rug retailers—assured of full access to Area Rug Center showrooms—can buy beyond their “home” category in the full home furnishings and gift product mix, including the July market’s 10 product centers and 31 Temporaries categories. “Buyers from both markets will find an area rug product mix that spans all styles and all price points, including handmade and power-loomed area rugs in tradition- al and contemporary designs,” said Sydney.

The 120-plus showrooms on Area Rug Center floors 1, and 3 through 6 will be open and ready for business beginning at 9 a.m., Sunday, July 13, and will welcome buyers from both markets for four straight days through the close of business on Wednesday, July 16 at 5 p.m. In other news, Orian Rugs, a long-time tenant of the Area Rug Center, has extended its AmericasMart presence with a long-term lease agreement extending into 2005. An AmericasMart exhibitor since 1983, Orian Rugs is located on the Mart’s 6th floor in booth 6-C-2. “Our presence in Atlanta is a key component in continuing to provide exceptional service to our retailers,” said Randy Gardner, vice president of sales for Orian. “AmericasMart gives us an unparalleled platform from which to present our newly developed and expanded product lines.” “Orian is an integral component of our success,” said Sydney. “Its product is innovative and ever-evolving.”

Couristan has also committed to the longevity of AmericasMart’s Area Rug Center by extending its lease as well. Other exhibitors have extended their leases as well including Bokara Rug Co. and Nargezian Rug Co. “We’re continually striving to incorporate innovative interpretations of centuries old designs into the rugs of today,” said Robert Rodish, controller of Bokara. “Our innovative use of color, design and texture gives our customers a competitive edge.” Another company, Hellenic Rug Imports, has not only extended its lease with AmericasMart but has expanded its showroom, as well. The handmade and power-loomed rug producer has expanded its showroom to 3,000 square feet, doubling the size of its existing 1,500-sq.-ft. showroom. The company extended its AmericasMart presence with a long-term lease agreement extending into 2007.

An AmericasMart showroom owner since 1999 and a Market Temporaries exhibitor in the years previous, Hellenic is currently located in AmericasMart, floor 6, 6-G-8. Upon completion of the expansion, Hellenic will be located in 6-G-12—immediately adjacent to its present location. In celebration, Hellenic will host a grand opening gala on July 13. A complimentary cocktail buffet catered by Kyma—renowned as one of the country’s finest Greek restaurants —will be served. “Hellenic is a dynamic company and an important component of the Area Rug Center’s success,” said Sydney. “Collection after collection, year after year, Hellenic continues to design and produce exciting, innovative area rugs.” “Hellenic has expanded its AmeriasMart presence for several reasons,” said Steve Mazarakis, Hellenic’s president and CEO. “First and formeost, we needed additional space and AmericasMart gave us an unparalleled platform from which to present our newly developed and expanded product lines.

“Additionally,” he continued, “our Atlanta showroom has proven integral to our company’s successes. It attracts the retailers necessary to operate on a daily basis—not only during the market.” Amid its more than 120 showrooms, retailers shopping the Area Rug Center will discover Old World Classics—a brand new showroom totaling 800 square feet—the latest addition to the 400,000-sq.-ft. center. Founded in 1995 and specializing in handmade, vegetable-dyed rugs from India, Old World Classics is located on floor 5, 5-E-14. “We exhibited in the Temporaries for several years and were very successful,” said Beri Kuntic, Old World Classics’ president. “From our new showroom we can best present our products to a wider audience of the country’s premier rug dealers.” For more information on Americasmart•Atlanta, call 800/285-6278. —Louis Iannaco