Events Being Planned for This Year's International Casual Furniture and Accessories Market

Merchandise Mart Properties,Inc.(MMPI)announced a high-level line-up of speakers and events being planned for this year's International Casual Furniture&Accessories Market™,which will be held from September 20-23,2012,at the Chicago Merchandise Mart.The four-day market event will feature HGTV's John Gidding;esteemed editors from national,consumer home and garden publications;and a selection of other complimentary educational and networking events for exhibitors and attendees.

HGTV personality and designer John Gidding will present the Casual Market keynote presentation,entitled"Turn Up the Curb Appeal for Great Outdoor Spaces."Gidding will share information about his design background and creating outdoor living spaces for his clients and HGTV fans.Attendees will have the opportunity to learn tips about outdoor room and backyard design,and the importance of curb appeal.

The panel consists of five major consumer magazine editors,including Kit Selzer,senior home editor at Better Homes&Gardens;Jodi Bech,publisher at Garden Design;Amy Elbert,senior architecture editor at Traditional Home;Amy Mitchell,managing editor at Coastal Living;and Eugenia Santiesteban Soto,style director at Veranda.The session,"Inspired Exteriors:Consumer Media Panel,"will take place on Friday,September 21.

Two award events will be held.The ICFA Awards Reception will highlight the presentation of the Design Excellence Category Award winners and announcement of the Lillian B.Winchester"Best of Show"Award.The ICFA Sales Representative of the Year Award will also be presented along with the coveted Manufacturer of the Year Award.Hosted by the ICFA,this year's awards reception will take place on Friday,Sept.21,2012 at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago's Ballroom.This event is for ICFA members and invited guests.

A major highlight of Casual Market,the Apollo Awards Banquet will celebrate influential contributions made by industry leaders."Top retailers in single-and multi-store categories will be honored,and the 2012 Lifetime Achievement Award honorees will be recognized by the ICFA,"says Kelly.

Hosted by the ICFA and MMPI,the Apollo Awards Banquet will take place on Saturday,September 22,2012 at the Field Museum in Stanley Field Hall.