600,000 square feet and growing
By Michael J. Knell -- Furniture Today, January 4, 2004
TORONTO — TORONTO — This year's Canadian Home Furnishings Market will be the largest ever, said Jean François Michaud, president and chief executive officer of the Quebec Furniture Manufacturers Assn., organizers of the event.
Canada's only national furniture market kicks off its four-day run Saturday, Jan. 10, at the International Center here. More than 400 manufacturers, importers and distributors of furniture, bedding, lighting, accessories, appliances and related products and services are expected to participate. That includes more than 75 permanent showrooms at Canada's Furniture Mart, which is inside the International Center, as well as a number of outside showrooms.
The show's 600,000 square feet of exhibit space has been sold out since mid-August and the QFMA has a waiting list of vendors eager to get in on the action. While some have suggested the market be expanded to the Canadian Congress Center, about five kilometers away, Michaud said that splitting the show isn't in the best interests of exhibitors or buyers.
"Our waiting list isn't long enough to justify the use of a building that far away from the International Center," he said. "The only way to expand the show is to push the International Center to build another building." He's discussed that with building management, but no expansion plans have been announced.
"Quite frankly, in terms of good manufacturers, we have them all," Michaud said. "We're quite happy with the quality of the exhibitors participating in the show."
He expects buyer attendance will be up slightly from last year, although most of the increase should come from the United States. "It's very tough to raise our attendance from Canada, as we're very well represented from across the country," Michaud said. "However, our pre-registration has been very encouraging. Badge requests are up 16% from Canada and 40% from the United States."
In 2003, the CHFM hosted a total of 6,560 buyers representing 3,265 stores from Canada, the United States and overseas. Canadian retailers represented 94% of the total attendance, while U.S. buyers accounted for 5%.
This year, in conjunction with Canada's Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade and the Consul General in New York, the market will host a buyer's mission of 15 members of the Greater New York Home Furnishings Assn. Michaud also expects an organized group of buyers from Mexico.
A Sunday morning seminar by well-known Canadian author and retail consultant John A. Torella is on tap, titled, "Retail Branding: All about Building Customers for Life."
For the fifth consecutive year, the Montreal-based design team of André Caron and Pierre D'Anjou has put together the market's Trend Display. Using product on display at the market, the display features decorating and merchandising vignettes the pair believes reflect current consumer taste. A reception on Saturday evening will unveil the displays.
A Kick-Off Cocktail Party is set for Friday, Jan. 9, at 6 p.m., and the second annual Canadian Home Furnishings Awards gala will be held Sunday evening.
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