general market information

Click here for the information below in PDF form.

In an effort to support you at The Chicago Market: Living and Giving, we have continued to dedicate more time and money to our marketing efforts. Many of you have received our direct mail pieces and have seen our national advertising in the trade publications, but for those of you who missed them here is a recap of what we are offering credentialed buyers, to provide the most enjoyable and productive market experience possible!

Shop Late 'Til 8
There will be Shop Late Night in January!
This is an opportunity for buyers to shop late while enjoying show specials and food provided by the permanent showrooms.

POWER LUNCH SEMINARS
Saturday, January 17 | Noon-1 p.m.
Sunday, January 18 | Noon-1 p.m. | Speed Networking!
Monday, January 19 | Noon-1 p.m.
We offer onsite educational seminars free to all registered buyers. Topics range from trends within the industry to marketing concepts to public relations. These are designed to educate buyers on different ways to improve and strengthen their businesses. For a complete list of speakers please visit our Web site at www.shopchicagomarket.com.

$10 PARKING AT THE MART!*
Credentialed buyers can park for only $10 a day, everyday! Park in MartParc Wells (Kinzie St. and Well St.), MartParc Orleans (Hubbard St and Orleans St.) or Wolfpoint (350 N. Orleans) parking lots. Valid only to credentialed buyers.

*Credentialed buyers only, restrictions apply.

BUYER RELATIONS OUTREACH

The main goal for the Buyer Relations Manager is attract more buyers to attend the quarterly markets. In addition, the Buyer Relations Manager provides any and all services for buyers that helps make market-time visits, as well as day to day visits, as enjoyable and productive as possible.

There is an opportunity to outreach to more viable buyers by building relationships with various communities, associations and organizations that have focused efforts corresponding to our business ventures. This development will allow The Chicago Market: Living and Giving to continually define and build upon the buyer database, as well as through obtaining buyer lists, allowing communication efforts to be much more targeted and impactful.

A variety of outreach efforts for this market include:

• Retail Excursions to cities in the Midwest and beyond to promote The Chicago Market: Living and Giving to both current and prospective buyers
• Premier Buyer Program which includes the following:
• Complimentary travel and hotel nights for qualified buyers
• Complimentary parking
• Complimentary exclusive buyer lounge with business center and refreshments
• To nominate buyers for the premier buyer list contact Sara Hall at shall@mmart.com or 312.527.6448
• Bi-Monthly Retailer Appreciation Days held onsite
• Daily phone calls and emails
• Written Communication
• Monthly meetings with showroom managers and principals to determine buyer needs
• Red Tag Parking Program
• Buying Group Partnerships, i.e. Hospital gift shops, Ace Hardware, Purchasing Power Plus
• Approaching local, regional and national art and design associations, i.e. A.S.I.D., I.I.D.A., M.S.A., ArtFair Calendar, N.A.I.A. and many more
• Drawing new buyers through partnerships with Retail Support Groups, i.e. Retail Speaks, Greater Northern Michigan Avenue Association, Local First Chicago along with several others 

If you have suggestions for additional buyer outreach avenues please contact Sara Hall at shall@mmart.com or 312.527.6448.

PLAN CHICAGO A PRODUCT LOCATOR SERVICE
Also located in the Internet Café is our online Product Locator Service, giving buyers fast and easy access to finding the resources they are looking for. The Product Locator Service can also be accessed online at www.shopchicagomarket.com.

With the convenience that comes from booking your hotel, airline, rail and rental car reservations through Mart Travel Services, you can travel to Chicago without any hassles! Mart Travel Services provides a one-stop reservations service where you can book your airfare, hotel, rail and rental car all at discounted rates. Contact Mart Travel Services at (800) 528-8700 today.

HOTELS
We offer discount hotel prices at a variety of popular Chicago hotels with rates starting as low as $90 per night. See the next page for participating hotels. Don’t wait-book today. We’ve made traveling easy. Visit our Web site at www.shopchicagomarket.com and click on “travel” or call 800.528.8700.

AIRFARE 
Mart Travel Services offers special discounted rates (5-10 percent) on all United Airlines fares (some restrictions apply). To book your airline tickets online visit merchandisemart.com. You can also book your flight through your own travel agent and receive the same discount or call United Airlines directly at (800) 521-4041. Mention Meeting ID# 596YA. United Airlines is the official airline carrier of The Chicago Market: Living and Giving. Applicable service fees may be assessed for airline tickets issued by Mart Travel Services.

CAR RENTAL 
Hertz Car Rental is offering exclusive discounts to The Chicago Market: Living and Giving participants. If you use your own travel agency, please reference Hertz File CV#032U0009 to receive the discounts, or call Hertz at 800.654.2240.

CONCIERGE
Take advantage of all that Chicago has to offer! Make reservations, book events, get tickets with our complimentary market concierge. The Chicago Market has teamed up with Concierge & Event Services World Wide, Inc. (CESWW) to bring you a professional concierge service. And, once you get to market, a CESWW professional concierge will be available in person to open the doors to fun and exciting events! Call toll free 866.567.9724 or e-mail concierge@mmart.com to make your reservation today!

COMPLIMENTARY TROLLEY SERVICE

We offer free trolley service to and from all participating hotels. Trolley service runs every 10-15 minutes. All pick-ups and drop-offs at The Merchandise Mart take place on the South Drive (river side). For a detailed schedule visit www.shopchicagomarket.com.

Trolley Schedule
Mornings: 8-10 a.m.
Evenings: 4-7 p.m.

MART CONTACTS

• LEASING

• MARKETING

• MARKET SUITES

• MARKET SQUARE

• PUBLIC RELATIONS

• DIRECTORY ADVERTISING/ASCEND MEDIA