Karel Exposition Management’s Orlando Furniture Market Grows To Twice-Yearly Event

Furniture World Magazine

Karel Exposition Management (KEM) has confirmed that its highly successful Orlando Furniture and Accessory Market will expand to a twice-yearly event in 2005. The company, which is the nation’s largest producer of regional furniture and accessory markets, will begin taking space reservations May 1 for what is expected to be a sold-out event Jan. 28, 29 and 30, 2005 at the Orange County Convention Center. The new winter market, which will supplement the annual summer Orlando show, will feature 1,000 exhibit spaces displaying the latest trends in furniture, lighting, bedding and accessories. The long-running summer Orlando market, set this year for Aug. 27, 28 and 29, is the largest of its kind in the United States, featuring 1,300 exhibit spaces. “We have needed a second Orlando market for several years, but the facility couldn’t accommodate us in the winter,” said Larry Karel, president of the 52-year-old company. “Now we will be able to better meet the needs of furniture buyers throughout Florida who need to re-stock their inventories at least twice a year. We expect that Orlando will become an established, semi-annual event like our other markets in New Jersey, California and Massachusetts.” KEM’s markets are open to manufacturers, representatives, designers, furniture stores and distributors and retailers. The events fill an important niche for furniture manufacturers who find permanent showrooms too costly to maintain. For exhibitors and buyers alike, the markets’ convenient locations provide a cost-effective venue for doing business. And, exhibitors get the opportunity to open new accounts, establish after-market leads and talk directly with thousands of buyers. “Orlando is an attractive central location for buyers throughout the state, who are looking for ways to cut expenses,” Karel said. “For just the price of a tank of gas, buyers can make contact with many of the industry’s leading manufacturers and build their inventories with the quantity and variety of merchandise they need to keep up with customer demand.” Karel said his company anticipates an early sell-out for the winter market. “In addition to the Florida crowd, we expect many buyers from up North who will be vacationing in Florida or who will come down for the market to escape the cold,” he said. “We also encourage regional home furnishings writers and editors to attend. The Orlando markets, as well as our other locations, give them an opportunity to see new trends without having to travel thousands of miles.” Upcoming markets include a March 14-16 event at the Royal Plaza Trade Center in Fitchburg, Mass., and a May 23-25 show at the Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach, Calif. The markets are closed to the general public. For press passes or additional information, contact Andrew M. Rose at Marketing Ink, Inc., at (954) 428-2678 or e-mail andy@marketingink.net. Based in Aventura, Fla., Karel Exposition Management produces furniture and accessory markets in Orlando, Fla.; Edison, N.J.; Fitchburg, Mass.; and Long Beach, Calif. For more information, call (305) 792-9990 or visit www.kemexpo.com.