The International Casual Furnishings Association (ICFA) and theMART will consolidate their two currently scheduled trade shows this year—the ICFA preview event in mid-summer and Casual Market in mid-September—into one larger Casual Market Chicago slated on July 19-22.
The move comes as the result of concerns to address industry-wide supply chain issues and the desire of both manufacturers and retailers to place orders early.
“I’m glad that theMART was willing to work with the ICFA to develop the best solution for the industry,” says Steve Elton, chief brand curator of Brown Jordan and ICFA chairman of the board of directors. “We expect that the new dates will attract a very large attendance of buyers and designers.”
The majority of manufacturers reported higher-than-normal showroom traffic during the ICFA Preview Show last July and expect that increased turnout to continue in 2022.
ICFA intends to stage all of its traditional Market Week activities in the new July timetable. The Retail Seminar and Think Tank will take place on Monday afternoon, July 18, in advance of the official opening day of the Casual Market on Tuesday. The Annual Membership Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday morning and the ICFA Awards Gala is planned for Wednesday night. Timing for the City of Hope Pink Out has not yet been determined.
