America's Mart - Atlanta 2005

John Ranes II CPF GCF

SGF, Supreme Grumble Framer
Founding Member
Joined
Nov 5, 1997
Posts
3,810
Loc
Appleton, Wisconsin, USA
Website
www.theframeworkshop.com
Business
The Frame Workshop of Appleton, Inc
Just curious...Any other picture framers heading to Atlanta this week for the gift market? Sarah and I fly down on Monday for 5 days of serious buying at one of the major gift industry shows.

As many of you already know, we've been diversified into gifts for a number of years, and I know a number of other framers have also.

There are other regional national shows, but Atlanta in January has seriously been considered the "biggie" for the past 5 years.

Meet for a cup of coffee?
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John
 
I had hoped to be able to make it, but it doesn't look like it will pan out for me this year. Melissa (the interior designer) will be there, but I will probably have to back out. Hopefully we will be on the phone alot while she is there.
I have my list of "Must see's", and a market folder that I've been stuffing fliers into for the last couple of months, so I'll go over these things with her before she goes, but it certainly won't be the same as being there myself.

If you don't mind saying, what items were your best sellers during the holidays, and did you have any duds?
 
Well, we didn't delibertly hook up with any framers. Had dinner one evening with a local Gift shop competitor.........had a great time! Nice people and it was great to share ideas and business philosophies among other successful retailers.

Today was our last day of designated buying, and the crowds have decended upon Atlanta. Sarah and I are slowly walking along an aisle on the 18th floor and walk right into a familiar face....Tony Mines, a framer from Tennessee. Tony is a past PPFA board member, and what is he doing there, but buying gifts as well. Turns out he purchses Lynne Haney Santas. Small world...but each year we do typically run into other framers who have diversified with success.

John (Heading home in the morning.)

P.S. Tip for those that don't like crowds....at these major shows, it's a good idea to vist the shows during the early part of the week, before the weekend attendees fill the show to the max.
 
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