The 3rd Annual Midwest Furniture Show is coming back to Chicago this July. The show will be held at the Schaumberg Renaissance on July 29- 30th.
Started by the Midwest Furniture Club in 2007, the Midwest Furniture Show is a regional furniture and bedding show that draws customers from Illinois, Wisconsin and Indiana. The success of the show has helped earn the Midwest Furniture Club back-to-back Chapter of the year awards from IHFRA, as well as special recognition for the show's organizer.
Show organizer, Michael More, cites the need for the show amid all of the larger markets in Las Vegas and High Point, NC, "The show is geared towards independent retailers in the upper Midwest who do not regularly attend national furniture markets. Our attendance has grown terrifically over the last few years thanks to what we offer. Manufacturers bring show specials, merchandising and marketing ideas for the important 4th quarter. We try to make it easy and enjoyable for one store to see over 60 vendors in one day, get some deals and talk about business opportunities." Mr More is being awarded one of IHFRA's most important acknowledgements this year, the Rudy Steltemeir Award, in recognition of his efforts in making the show successful.
Exhibitors range from high end furniture to starter price points, freight carriers, advertising companies and bedding companies. Over 60 manufacturers will be showing their goods this year. A small sampling of the manufacturers exhibiting at this year's show include Englander Mattress, Ashley, Natuzzi, Smithe Brothers, Aspenhome, Cramco, Best Chair, Palliser, Coaster and American Manufacturing.
"We are excited for our third show. In an economy like we're in, having another great show is even more critical than ever," says Midwest Furniture Club President Geoff Weed. "We are doing everything we can to work together with our retail partners to make the most of the business that is out there." Attendees are treated to free breakfast and lunch and beverages in the late afternoon. In addition, prize drawings throughout the day provide some fun and excitement to the day. Mr. Weed estimates that this year over 300 customers will attend the two-day show.
In 2007, the show was held in a 25,000 square foot facility and in the 2008 the show moved to a larger facility, taking 30,000 square feet at the DuPage Expo center.This year's show is spread over 45,000 square feet.
All but 3000 square feet sold out immediately. Limited space is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Manufacturer's interested in showing should contact Michael Moore at
chicagorep@aol.com or the Midwest Furniture Club at
midwestfurnitureclub@gmail.com