Day One - Atlanta Gift Mart

Day one in Atlanta = tiring but very exciting. The streets and sidewalks are very very icy. The wind whipping through these tall buildings feels sub zero.

We walked most of building 2 but didn't see many things that really stood out. One happy thing I did note was the increased traafic at the show. Some of the showrooms were packed. Compared to last year when the mart halls were all but empty, things look to be picking up. 

Let's hope so for all our sakes.

Atlanta Gift Mart - january show

Time again to visit the Atlanta Gift Mart. 8mil+ sq ft of product to see - three buildings, 18 floors each, and I have no idea how many showrooms per floor. I'd guess 20-60 or so, depending on how large some of them are. Of course, there is no way to see it all. Quite a few of the floors are of no interest to me - the rugs, apparel, furniture and stuff like that. There are plenty of floors of giftware, plush, holiday decor, tabletop, stationary, kids stuff - so many exciting things to see.

I'm excited about all the great design and ideas I'll see there. It is a great place to watch for trend, not necessarily to spot emerging trend, but to confirm what your research has been telling you.

Staying at the Hyatt Place downtown, one of my favorites in the area.  It is smaller, but pretty nice and the staff are 100% top notch.

Friday night I am going to meet up with my friend DM Kirwin, a wonderful southern folk artist.   He moved to ATL recently from the Athens area; I dont get to see much of him anymore.  I love his paintings and wish I could buy more of them.   Google him to see his wonderful work.