San Fran market changing Jan. dates
By Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, September 15, 2003
San Francisco — To avoid going up against some tough competition, the San Francisco market is changing its dates this January to Wednesday through Saturday, Jan. 28–31.
The previously announced Friday-Monday dates, the typical San Francisco schedule, would have conflicted with pro football's Super Bowl on Sunday, Feb. 1.
San Francisco Mart officials said they changed the dates on advice from the SFM's board of governors, the Western Home Furnishings Assn. and a few buying groups, and because of experience with previous markets that overlapped the Super Bowl.
"It was vital that we have the support of our boards, and with the majority of their opinions favoring the date change, we decided it was the right thing to do," said Roseann Carini, SFM's vice president of leasing and marketing. The market takes place at the SFM, the San Francisco Design Center and the Concourse.
Sharron Bradley, WHFA executive director, said a number of retailers told her a weekday market would be more convenient.
"The date change will be an advantage to retailers who would like to be back in their stores for part of the weekend, especially because of the Super Bowl on Sunday, which may make this a busy shopping day," she said.
Hotel accommodations for market attendees have been secured for the new dates, with prices starting at $84 per night.
For more information on the market, visit www.sfmart.com or www.sfdesigncenter.com.
