Welcome
Welcome
Merchandise Mart / MMPI
General Show Information
Marketing Opportunities
Events / Special Features
One of a Kind Show and Sale® Chicago 2009
Welcome to the One of a Kind Show and Sale® Chicago! We are thrilled to be partnering with you for the ninth annual show. You are among a select group of artists, artisans and designers who have the opportunity to participate in One of a Kind -- one of the top rated fine art and fine craft fairs in the country! Your participation in the One of a Kind Show will expose you to an expansive audience of over 40,000 shoppers!
This exhibitor manual will provide you with important information that will help you to make the most of your experience at the One of a Kind Show. In it, you will find useful information about the show and The Merchandise Mart; promotional information and ways for you to maximize your exposure at the show; and operational information with move in, run of show and move out details. If at any time you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact any member of our team.
Once again, welcome! We look forward to seeing you soon!
THE MERCHANDISE MART/MMPI
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.
MMPI
MMPI is the world's leading owner and operator of showroom buildings and trade show facilities, bringing buyers and sellers together in more than 300 market events, trade and consumer shows and conferences each year.
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 11 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.
GENERAL SHOW INFORMATION
The ninth annual One of a Kind Show and Sale® Chicago is a premier fine art and fine craft show scheduled during one of the busiest shopping weekends of the year.
Located in downtown Chicago at The Merchandise Mart, this juried, indoor show features original, handmade work by over 500 top artists, artisans and designers.
An annual must-attend event for 40,000 Chicagoans who LOVE to shop, the show is considered “Chicago’s Holiday Shopping Show.”
Dates/Hours
December 3, 12pm-9pm (Opening Day)
December 4, 11am-9pm
December 5, 10am-7pm
December 6, 10am-5pm
Location
The Merchandise Mart
222 Merchandise Mart Plaza
8th Floor
Chicago, IL 60654
Ticketing
Tickets are $12 for adults and $9 for seniors and students. Children 12 and under are free. Tickets can be purchased in advance on our website for a special online price of $9 until the beginning of the show.
Website
Our website address is www.oneofakindshowchicago.com
MARKETING OPPORTUNITIES
MARKETING CAMPAIGN
The 2009 One of a Kind Show and Sale® Chicago is marketed via an aggressive attendee communications effort combining advertising, online marketing, outdoor marketing, direct mail and public relations and drawing an anticipated 40,000 attendees to artist booths at the show.
•“Save the Date” postcards for artist use
•“Promotional Stickers” for artist use
• Show Brochures
• Complimentary Passes
• VIP mailings
• Advertising in the Chicago Tribune and other key Chicago media
• Show website with artist directory and artist locator/image gallery feature
• E-blast campaign to e-mail lists of 100,000 plus
• Show banners/signage
• Public relations efforts focused on multi-media coverage including all important print, broadcast and online outlets
• City-wide cultural partner outreach
• Social media outreach including Facebook, Twitter and blogs
SHOW PARTNERS
We are proud to announce our current partners (as of 8.27.09) for the show include:
• Chicago Tribune
• ReadyMade
• Daily Candy
• The Chopping Block
• Blick Art Materials
• Etsy
• Fashion Group International
• Foodstuffs
• Children’s Memorial Hospital
• Alliance for the Great Lakes
• Gallery 37/AfterSchool Matters
• Marwen
• Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation
• Chicago Loop Alliance
• Arthritis Foundation
PROMOTIONAL TOOL KIT
The Promotional Tool Kit is an online marketing tool for artists. It gives artists control over their own promotion at the show. The Promotional Tool Kit includes information and online forms for: Artist Listing; Artist Locator/Image Gallery; Media Exposure; Mailing Lists; VIP Program; Artist Demonstrations & Studio Talks; Product Displays; Fashion Shows & Fashion Displays; Web Banner Ads; and Promotional E-Blasts. Each artist was assigned a personal ID and password, so they can fill in the information directly on the Web site without printing any paperwork. Feel free to contact Paige Sims at 312.527.3209 or psims@mmart.com with any questions or concerns. If you have not yet visited the Promotional Tool Kit at http://www.exhibitorinfo.com/index.cfm/oneofakindshowchicagoxi/, we encourage you to visit today to take care of some approaching deadlines.
MARKETING MATERIALS FOR ARTISTS
By early-November, you will receive a shipment with 100 Show Brochures/Complimentary Passes.
These materials are for your distribution/mailing to clients and prospects and will help you promote your presence at the One of a Kind Show. Additional materials may be available on a limited basis. Please contact Paige Sims at 312.527.3209 or psims@mmart.com with requests or questions.
Please note that individuals on the list(s) you may have submitted through the Promotional Tool Kit will already have received materials from our offices.
In addition, you will receive an e-mailable version of the Complimentary Pass that you can forward to your customer e-mail lists. You will receive this email in mid-November.
V.I.P. CLIENT LIST
Submit the mailing list for your ten best clients and we will mail them (plus a guest) V.I.P. credentials on behalf of you. The V.I.P. Shopping Program will include complimentary entrance to the show for all 4 days, access to an exclusive lounge, complimentary coat and package check and invitations to exclusive V.I.P. events. To submit your V.I.P. client list, please log into the Promotional Tool Kit and upload your list by September 18.
MAILING LISTS
If you have not already done so, please log into the Promotional Tool Kit and submit your mail/email lists so we can send your clients One of a Kind Show materials and special offers, free for you! So if your list has 10 contacts or 10,000+ contacts, we will tell them about the show! Lists are due September 18.
ONLINE MARKETING OPPORTUNITIES
- E-mailable Complimentary Pass to the One of Kind Show and Sale® Chicago. By mid-November, the One of Kind Show and Sale® team will be sending you an e-mailable complimentary pass that you can forward to your e-mail lists. This e-mailable pass can be forwarded as many times as you would like.
- E-blast Campaign We are in the process of sending out a series of e-blasts about the show to our 100,000+ consumer e-mails. Each time we send out an e-blast, we will also e-mail them to you. We encourage you to forward them on
to your e-mail lists. - Online Banner Ads We are creating online banner ads that will promote the One of Kind Show that you can copy and paste onto your website if you have one. We will email you once these banner ads are available through your Promotional Tool Kit.
- Artist Locator/Image Gallery The Artist Locator/Image Gallery allows users to search and view information and images from each artist in the show. This function is live on the One of Kind Show and Sale® website. Please take a look at your information and the images listed and if you have any changes, please visit the Promotional Tool Kit.
MEDIA AND PUBLICITY
The Public Relations Office of MMPI is here to work with you to make your experience at the One of a Kind Show the most successful it can be. In addition to promoting the overall event, the PR team is interested in hearing about you and your work. Please visit the Media Exposure link on the Promotional Tool Kit and tell us about anything that might be newsworthy. We would also be happy to provide you with a copy of our Media List for your own efforts.
Please contact Lauren Finch at 312.527.0114 or lfinch@mmart.com.
EVENTS/SPECIAL FEATURES
BEFORE AND AT THE ONE OF A KIND SHOW AND SALE® CHICAGO
(As of 8.27.09; additional information will be emailed)
ARTIST PROGRAMS
ARTIST ORIENTATION SEMINAR
Thursday, October 15, 10:00am-1:00pm
All artists - new or returning - are invited to a special Artists Orientation Seminar on October 15 from 10a.m.-1p.m. The seminar, which includes lunch, will be held at The Merchandise Mart Conference Center on the second floor. At the seminar, we will walk through all of the details covered in this Exhibitor Manual, as well as information covered in the Promotional Tool Kit. Artists will be given the opportunity to talk directly with the One of a Kind Show operations, sales and marketing staff and raise any questions or concerns that may come up. If you are planning on attending, please R.S.V.P. to Paige Sims by October 9 at 312.527.3209 or psims@mmart.com.
CENTRAL CASHIER PROGRAM SEMINAR
Thursday, December 3, 2009 at 10am
If you plan on taking advantage of our central cashier program, please join us for a central cashier information session before the show opens. The central cashier program is an optional service provided by MMPI at the show. This convenient and affordable program can streamline your on-site money handling and sales transactions onsite. We will walk you through the system and answer any questions you may have. To sign up for the program please fill the “Central Cashier Contract” on page 35.
GOOGLE’S “HOW TO PROMOTE YOUR BUSINESS” SEMINAR
Friday, December 4, 2009 at 8:30am
Join Kristin N. MacGregor, from the Google team, as she walks you through how to promote your business with Google. If you are planning on attending, please R.S.V.P. to Paige Sims by December 3, 2009 at psims@mmart.com or 312.527.3209.
FASHION GROUP INTERNATIONAL PRESENTS READY-TO-WEAR TREND SEMINAR
Saturday, December 5, 2009 at 8:30am
This seminar is your front row seat at the runways. Learn insider views from industry leaders who tell you what’s relevant, what’s not and why. An expertly edited, concise and comprehensive coverage of apparel, accessories, color and fabric trends. We look forward to providing this exciting opportunity to One of a Kind Show Chicago artists. If you are interested in attending, R.S.V.P. by November 16, 2009 to Paige at psims@mmart.com or 312.527.3209.
ARTISTS BREAKFAST
Sunday, December 6, 8:00am-9:30am
All artists are invited to attend a special breakfast on Sunday, December 6 at 8am. Additional information on this breakfast will be included in the Artist Check-in packets distributed on site.
ATTENDEE PROGRAMING
OPENING DAY
Thursday, December 3, noon-9:00p.m.
One of Kind Show will open to the public on December 3 at noon. All proceeds from ticket sales made on Thursday will benefit Children’s Memorial Hospital.
SPECIAL SHOW FEATURES
Fashion Shows
Attendees will enjoy art on the runway! Live fashion shows featuring exhibiting artist-designed clothing, jewelry and accessories will be produced daily at the stage on the show floor.
Live Music
Attendees will be treated to live music throughout weekend. We are going to be searching for emerging musicians from various genres, so if you have friends in the area who would like to gain exposure at the show, please contact Paige Sims at psims@mmart.com or 312.527.3209.
Artist Demonstrations
Attendees will be able to experience artwork in the making as you share stories behind your work and the skill behind your techniques. If you have not already done so, we encourage you to sign up for these 20-minute demonstrations (via the Promotional Tool Kit) that will be held in a designated area on the show floor.
V.I.P. Experience
Your V.I.P.s will have special privileges when attending the One of a Kind Show and Sale Chicago. They will receive the following (see page 7 regarding submitting your V.I.P. client list):
• Four-day pass to the Show
• Access to our exclusive VIP lounge
• Complimentary coat and package check
• Special VIP Programming
• Concierge Services
Etsy Pavilion
Etsy.com is proud to present The Etsy Artist Pavilion for emerging Etsy artists in partnership with the One of a Kind Show and Sale. Visit the Etsy Artist Pavilion to shop a sampling of the best handmade gifts Etsy.com has to offer and meet the up-and-coming designers who created them. Find everything from handcrafted jewelry, fine art, ceramics, eco-friendly toys, clothing, cards, accessories and more.
Discover Etsy.com, the world's most vibrant handmade marketplace, offering millions of unique items from independent creators and designers in more than 150 countries. Etsy connects shoppers with sellers to find inspiring handmade goods, while providing artists and makers a platform on which to build their own businesses.
