First Karel trade show of year set for Feb. 5-7 in Edison, N.J.

Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, January 25, 2012

AVENTURA, Fla. — Karel Exposition Management is kicking off its 2012 calendar of regional trade shows with the 60th Edison Furniture & Accessory Market, set for Feb. 5-7 at the New Jersey Convention and Exposition Center in Edison, N.J.

The show, which according to Karel is the largest of its kind in the Northeast, is open to furniture stores, interior designers, specialty stores from the furniture industry as well as hotels and motels. Attendees will see and meet new sources exhibiting furniture, bedding, lighting and decorative accessories.

The show will feature more than 800 spaces of merchandise and is expected to attract attendees from New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and surrounding areas.

Karel Exposition Management, owned by Larry Karel, has been producing trade shows for decades, and Karel said the business is still thriving.

"It's hard to believe that I have been in this business 52 years producing hundreds of quality shows in different cities across the country. Not many people can say that," Karel said.

He added that word of mouth, along with social media, direct mailings and the Internet, are bringing manufacturers from around the world to KEM markets.

"Each day we are amazed at where our e-mails come from," Karel said. "We have new exhibitors from China with us in Edison and companies from Turkey. It's all about bringing the products to the buyer and writing business."

The company's other markets this year are set for Long Beach, Calif., May 6-7; Irving, Texas, June 10-11; Edison, N.J., Aug. 19-21; and the new Mid-Atlantic Market in Fredericksburg, Va., Sept. 9-10.

Karel says he sticks by his credo, "For less than a tank of gas, you can shop the market and return home the same day. No costly airfare, hotel room, food or car rental as would be the case if you had to travel to a market far from home."