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The schedule of seminars and special events as well as the array of exhibitors confirmed for the International Window Coverings Expo, March 18 to 22, 1998, in the Baltimore Convention Center, Baltimore, MD, will offer window coverings professionals extensive choices to mold an exciting industry experience.
The International Window Coverings Expo is produced by the combined efforts of Window Fashions magazine and Messe Frankfurt, Inc. The two organizations organized two successful regional shows last year, the Pacific Home Fashion Fair in San Diego, CA, and the Window Fashions EXPO in Chicago, IL. But the International Window Coverings Expo is expected to top them both in buyer attendance and exhibitor participation as well as in seminars and special events.
Trade Show Floor Selling Out
As of the beginning of December 1997, the trade show floor was 90 percent sold out. The trade show facility in the Baltimore Convention Center offers nearly 70,000 net square feet of booth space. This spacious hall will house new and best-selling products from more than 200 national and international companies and will be open Friday, March 20 through Sunday, March 22. This year there will be international exhibitors participating along with an international buyer attendance.
Attendees also will have the opportunity to photograph and examine Dream Windows, a special exhibit planned for the show organized and designed by members of DraperyPro, an Internet association. The 21 full-size displays will offer an inspirational outlet for trade show attendees.
Thousands Attend
About 10,000 retailers, interior designers and decorators, workroom owners, installers and fabricators specializing in window coverings will be visiting the five-day event to find educational seminars, networking opportunities and a comprehensive conglomeration of window coverings and related products on the trade show floor.
Seminars Offered
The educational portion of the show will be held Wednesday, March 18 through Saturday, March 21. This four-day program will offer more than 65 CEU-approved seminars and educational special events, including tours, for professionals to continue their education and learn new ideas and techniques geared for their specialties. Following are a few sessions to note:
• Internationally renowned window coverings expert and author, Lady Caroline Wrey, will conduct the keynote luncheon, "Optimum Elegance," Friday, March 20. Wrey is well known for her best-selling books, Designs for Window Treatments, The Complete Book of Bedroom Elegance and The Complete Book of Curtains and Drapes. Her new book is Complete Curtain Making Course. Attendees will have a chance to learn some of her insights.
• The President's Panel luncheon, "We're in This Business to Make Money!" Thursday, March 19, will feature presidents Marv Hopkins, Hunter Douglas Window Fashions; Lance Devereau, Springs Window Fashions Division; Dave Roberts, Levolor; Steve Thomas, Kirsch; and Tom Marusak, Comfortex Corp. in a discussion about the direction of the industry and ways to prosper in it.
• The Window Coverings Association of America (WCAA) will hold its annual breakfast, "Manage Your Way to Success," Friday, March 20 with leading motivational psychologist Dick Gariepy.
• Suppliers and exhibitors will have an opportunity to participate in the seminar program as well by attending the executive track sessions given by Richard D. Buckingham, GoalStar Business Strategies, Inc., Bethesda, MD. The sessions he will present are "Lifetime Tools for Lifetime Customers II," and "Profitable Project Management."
Product and Design Awards
The Window Covering Manufacturers Association (WCMA) will award window covering manufacturers and suppliers for their most innovative, creative and technically advanced products presented in 1997. The awards will be presented Thursday, March 19 at the Omni Hotel.
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