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Interior fashions events provide the ultimate buying and learning opportunities to maximize your business building strategies.

In an announcement made at the International Window Fashion & Design Exposition & Conference, Messe Frankfurt, Inc., Atlanta, GA, and Window Fashions have signed a cooperative agreement to produce trade shows jointly for the window treatment industry. This agreement opens up a number of interesting venues for all segments of the window treatment and home fashions industries and lays to rest the rift in window coverings trade events which have been costly and detrimental to exhibitors and buyers alike. Whether you're a designer or decorator, retailer, department or chain store buyer, manufacturer or fabricator, these cooperative events will provide the ultimate buying, selling and learning opportunities to strengthen your businesses' positions. The enthusiastic welcome these two organizations received when announcing their cooperative effort was for many reasons. This year's competing shows, the March 1997 World of Window Coverings and the April 1997 International Window Fashions & Design Exposition & Conference, split the industry. Many exhibitors and buyers felt compelled to attend both events, thereby incurring double expenses and extra travel time. The cooperation of the two companies not only ends this unfavorable situation, but also promises a significant boost to the attractiveness of all involved shows. The two companies offer a quick response to customer needs and industry changes and guarantee organizational know-how and marketing resources that will benefit the combined events. Exciting special events and excellent attendance at the most cost-efficient place for all will become a cornerstone of these cooperative events. The upcoming Pacific Home Fashion Fair in San Diego, CA, August 7 to 9, 1997, the Window Fashions EXPO in Chicago, IL, September 17 to 20, 1997; and the Boston Curtain & Drapery Show in late February 1988 will already benefit from the combination of the resources of these two key industry players. The most significant impact, however, will result for the major international window coverings show scheduled for Baltimore, MD, March 20 to 22, 1998. This event is expected to draw a record number of domestic and international exhibitors and attendees. In the few days since the announcement, major companies have already been rushing to secure prime locations on the show floor and have requested dramatic increases in their booth sizes. Here is a look at some of the upcoming Messe Frankfurt Inc./Window Fashions events: Pacific Home Fashion Fair This trade show offers a truly global reach; attendees from 14 different countries were present at the 1996 event, formerly known as the Western Window Coverings Trade Show. Buyers from Hong Kong, Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Pakistan, India, Great Britain, France, The Netherlands, Latin America, Canada and the United States came to explore the broad spectrum of products on display. The Pacific Home Fashion Fair artfully combines all the categories of home fashions into the ultimate one-stop shopping venue. All under one roof, the exciting show floor will contain hundreds of displays of the latest products and technology for window coverings, wall coverings, home textiles and related products. In addition to the well-known CEU-accredited Interior Fashions University seminars, nearly 60 new, provocative CEU-accredited Window Fashions Certified Professionals seminars will broaden your horizons and give you the edge to grow your business in today's competitive marketplace. Join the thousands of professionals who will gather at the Pacific Home Fashion Fair for a wonderful harbor-side party on Friday, August 8. One lucky person will win a cruise for two! Window Fashions EXPO This annual event is considered one of the most exciting and comprehensive window covering shows in the country. This year, combined with the international cachet of the Messe Frankfurt organization, the Window Fashions EXPO will uncover a broader scope of international influence that is bound to give any business a boost. With an idea-packed show floor, excellent educational offerings from Window Fashions faculty and special events to network at, Chicago in September will be the place to be. For information about exhibiting at or attending these two events, please contact either Messe Frankfurt, Inc., 200 Galleria Pkwy., Ste. 790, Atlanta, GA 30339; (770) 984-8016; fax: (770) 984-8023; or visit its Web site at www.messefrankfurt.de; or Window Fashions magazine, 4225 White Bear Pkwy., Ste. 400, St. Paul, MN 55110; (612) 293-1544; fax: (612) 653-4308; or visit its Web site at gwmcnamara.com.