News

IMC to Address Diversity in Retail and Design Webinars

ATLANTA/HIGH POINT, N.C./LAS VEGAS – (July 29, 2020) – International Market Centers (IMC) will present two webinars on Aug. 6 addressing diversity and inclusion issues impacting the gift, home furnishings and apparel industries. Each hour-long session includes powerhouse industry voices who will share their experiences as designers, retailers and leaders. These webinars are an extension of IMC’s recently formed Diversity & Inclusion Network which strives for universal inclusion and a diverse and tolerant workplace.

IMC Repositions August Markets as Showroom-Only Buying Opportunities

July 15, 2020 – International Market Centers (IMC) announced today that its August markets in Atlanta and Las Vegas will run as scheduled, but will be staged as showroom-only buying opportunities – with no temporary exhibit presentation –based on recent developments and guidelines related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Buyer Activity and Sales Levels Surge on ShopZio B2B Marketplace

CHANTILLY, Va., (June 15, 2020) – Buyer activity and sales levels are surging on ShopZio, a B2B digital marketplace powered by IMC_di, International Market Centers’ digital innovation division. Key online content and activity metrics such as active users, new vendors, active SKUs and – most importantly – sales, are growing dramatically, far surpassing any pre-COVID level.

Media Bulletin: IMC to Host Together Safely Webinar on June 17

ATLANTA/HIGH POINT/LAS VEGAS – (June 12, 2020) – International Market Centers (IMC) will host a webinar outlining its Together Safely Master Plan on Wednesday, June 17 at 1pm ET / 10am PT, sharing health and safety protocols for its summer markets in Atlanta and Las Vegas.

Media Bulletin: IMC’s Campuses to Reopen With New Safety Mitigants and Procedures in Place

ATLANTA / HIGH POINT / LAS VEGAS – (June 8, 2020) – With guidance from health and elected officials as well a top epidemiologist, International Market Centers (IMC) is re-opening its campuses in Atlanta, High Point and Las Vegas with new safety mitigants and operational protocols. AmericasMart Atlanta reopens today, June 8, 2020; and the Atlanta Decorative Arts Center (ADAC), IMC’s High Point Properties and World Market Center Las Vegas will reopen June 15, 2020. Access to the campuses, which have been restricted to tenants, staff and buyers by appointment-only in compliance with government orders, will be open to the trade so long as IMC’s health and safety protocols are observed.

IMC’s High Point Virtual Market Featured Strong Engagement, Product Discovery and Connections

HIGH POINT, N.C. – (June 5, 2020) – International Market Centers’ (IMC) first-ever High Point Virtual Market Experience ended on a high note last week with record engagement on the IMC High Point Market website, generated by thousands tuning in for educational content and using product discovery tools. Anecdotally, exhibitors also reported strong lead generation as well as order writing during the three-week-long event.

IMC Implements “Together Safely” Protocols

ATLANTA/HIGH POINT/LAS VEGAS – (June 4, 2020) – International Market Centers (IMC) today released its “Together Safely” plan for reopening its buildings in Atlanta, High Point and Las Vegas and preparing for Summer 2020 markets given the COVID-19 situation. The plan, which details safety mitigants and operational protocols for IMC facilities, staff, customers and third-party vendors, was developed by an IMC task force in consultation with a top epidemiologist and in concert with government mandates and public health recommendations. The full 30-page plan is available online at TogetherSafely.com.

IMC Releases White Paper Detailing Retail Buyer Perspectives During COVID-19

ATLANTA/HIGH POINT/LAS VEGAS – (May 26, 2020) – A new survey of the gift, home furnishings and apparel industries commissioned by International Market Centers (IMC) reveals that, while the COVID-19 crisis has significantly impacted all retail sales across the United States, store owners and operators are looking toward re-opening and recovery and expressing a near-term need for new product. Survey respondents also reported an intention to source product at physical markets provided reasonable safety protocols are implemented and indicated that digital tools will likely play an important role as a complement to in-person markets during the recovery period. An executive summary is available online at https://www.andmore.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Stax_IMC_Whitepaper_vF.pdf.

Week One of IMC’s High Point Virtual Market Experience Draws Robust Audience

HIGH POINT, N.C. – (May 18, 2020) – The first week of International Market Centers’ (IMC) High Point Virtual Market Experience offered content and community for the industry – with hundreds of participants logging-into six webinars and thousands of visitors sourcing and discovering products and a digital audience generating funds for City of Hope. Week two offerings, which start today on www.imchighpointmarket.com, include a Virtual Showhouse debut, another eight information-rich webinars and continued product discovery and online sourcing through IMC’s Catalog Connexion.

IMC Updates Summer Gift and Home Market Plans Following Survey

ATLANTA/LAS VEGAS – (May 15, 2020) – Following a comprehensive survey of its universe of gift and home furnishings buyers and suppliers, International Market Centers (IMC) announced today updates to its summer 2020 markets in Atlanta and Las Vegas. IMC is postponing both markets until August, with Atlanta Market now running August 13 – 18 and Las Vegas Market running August 30 – September 3.