News

International Centre / CGTA Strategic Alliance

June 15, 2007

The International Centre and the Canadian Gift and Tableware Association (CGTA) announced today the formation of a strategic alliance that will have far reaching effects on Canada’s Furniture, Gift and Accessory industry. For the first time since Canada’s Furniture Mart opened in 1972 the mart will be accepting tenants in the gift and accessory categories who are members of the CGTA.

The International Centre, in cooperation and with the CGTA, will be offering CGTA members the exclusive opportunity to lease permanent showroom space in Canada’s Furniture Mart. CGTA members who take advantage of this exclusive opportunity will automatically benefit from the maximum exposure and sales opportunities available at CGTA’s Spring and Summer Gift Shows, the largest gift shows in Canada and the Canadian Home Furnishings Market, Canada’s national furniture show. Permanent tenants of Canada’s Furniture Mart will gain tremendous exposure from the over 50,000 buyers attending these three premier shows.

“Our furniture mart tenants have enjoyed significantly lower costs associated with permanent tenancy. The costs associated with shipping product, setting up and tearing down temporary booths on the exhibit floor for each show can be easily measured against the many benefits arising out of permanent tenancy” said International Centre CEO Michael Prescott. Now through this groundbreaking agreement CGTA members will be afforded the opportunity to become permanent tenants at Canada’s Furniture Mart and be at the forefront of the changes taking place in the industry.

“We have seen a significant blurring of the product lines in the furniture and gift industries due to the interest and demands of buyers. We believe that the blending of these two product categories will enhance the buyer experience and offer an important value proposition for those CGTA members that could benefit from the synergy with many of Canada’s top furniture manufacturers” observed CGTA President Bob Love.

The CGTA has committed to promote and direct buyers to member showrooms during its two annual shows to ensure that buyers are aware of the new gift showrooms and giving them the opportunity to view the products in the comfort of the tenant’s permanent showroom space.

In addition to the obvious and considerable benefits of having permanent showroom space during the Spring and Fall CGTA Gift Shows and the Canadian Home Furnishing Market, permanent tenancy is conducive to year round selling activity, product introductions, market research, staff training and public relations programs.

The International Centre is one of the leading trade and consumer show venues in North America and Canada’s largest privately owned, multi-purpose show, conference and trade showroom facility. In addition to its mainstay trade and consumer shows, it is a prime venue for business conferences, banquets, concerts and special events. Located at 6900 Airport Road and offering free parking for as many as 5,000 vehicles, the International Centre is easily accessible from any point in the Greater Toronto Area. Since opening its doors in 1972, it has welcomed more than 68 million visitors.

For more than 30 years, the CGTA has served as the official body for Canada’s giftware industry. The association is comprised of over 1,600 Canadian giftware manufacturers, importers, exporters, distributors and wholesalers. The CGTA owns and operates the CGTA Gift Show, the industry’s largest and premiere trade event.

For more information, please contact Karen Bassels, Show Manager, Canadian Gift and Tableware Association, at 416-642-1024 or karenb@cgta.org.

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