Post 9/11 Business Trends Signal Growth In Furniture Industry

Furniture World Magazine

With more people staying home these days, the U.S. home furnishing industry is on the upswing, according to Larry Karel, president of Karel Exposition Management, the nation's leading producer of regional furniture and accessory trade shows. "Durable goods such as furniture are doing well. Retail stores are doing well. Since 9/11, people are 'cocooning.' They don't want to fly. They're taking their vacation money and using it for the home. They're buying furniture and electronics," says Karel. Karel Exposition Management is coming off of one of its best years ever. Based on the fact that the company just turned 50, something must be going right. "Our regional furniture and accessory markets are located 'close to home,' so furniture buyers and store owners can drive to the show rather than get on a plane. Our markets are actually helping these retailers succeed in today's economy," notes Karel. We've had a string of successful shows and a significant increase in attendance and exhibitor participation. As a result, we're expanding the size of several of our most popular shows and adding a ninth regional market to our 2002 schedule."