Welcome

This manual will guide you through the process of exhibiting at the Chicago Collective.  It outlines helpful hints about the Show and associated special events as well as useful information about The Merchandise Mart and MMPI.  Reference this book for promotional information and ways to maximize your exposure at the Show, operational recommendations for smooth move in, run of show and move out details, and frequently asked questions.

We look forward to your arrival and working with you to ensure another great Chicago Collective this August!

THE MERCHANDISE MART

The Merchandise Mart is home to four floors constituting the world’s first and largest design center. Encompassing 700,000 square feet, boasting 130 showrooms and featuring more than 2,000 product lines, it is the design professional’s ultimate resource for luxury furniture and accessories. Welcoming more than three million visitors
a year, The Merchandise Mart draws consumers to its retail shops, LuxeHome® kitchen and bath boutiques, permanent showrooms for gift, residential, casual, and contract furnishings, dozens of trade shows, and a myriad of community and consumer events. It is located in the heart of a city that is home to celebrated fine art institutions, world-class museums, award-winning architecture, professional entertainment venues, and diverse dining.  

MERCHANDISE MART PROPERTIES, INC.

Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc. is the world leader in developing, owning and managing merchandise marts, design centers, market buildings, as well as trade and consumer shows. We have three primary areas of focus:

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT
This division specializes in ownership and management of design centers and market buildings.

Our buildings, such as The Merchandise Mart™ in Chicago, the L.A. Mart® in Los Angeles and the Boston Design Center in Boston, are home to approximately 2,000 showrooms. Each showroom is maintained by manufacturers or distributors hoping to reach a key target audience. As market makers, our staff attracts this key target audience to the building by producing trade shows, conventions, educational programs and special events.

TRADE AND CONSUMER SHOW MANAGEMENT
MMPI is one of the largest trade and consumer show producers in North America. Each year, we mount more than 300 trade and consumer shows, conventions, conferences, educational programs and special events that bring buyers and sellers together.

INDUSTRY EXPERTISE
We specialize in eleven key industries: office and retail; home furnishings; kitchen, bath and building products; contract furnishings; casual furnishings and accessories; gift and home; apparel; contemporary art; international antiques; fine crafts; and construction/real estate. As a result, we’ve developed an invaluable brain trust built on years of experience, carefully cultivated contacts and specialized knowledge, all of which work to elevate our showroom acumen, marketing communications and trade show operations in these industries.