L.A. Contemporary Market Dates Shift
Los Angeles Contemporary Market organizers have adjusted the event’s Fall ’05 dates to March 17–22. Designers & Agents will be held March 18–21.
The new market, spearheaded by contemporary showroom owners and D&A co-owner Ed Mandelbaum, was originally scheduled to begin on a Sunday, but organizers said they decided to move the Fall market dates from April to March and then gauge whether further adjustments to the timing are needed.
Mandelbaum said he and several reps will begin asking retailers whether they prefer a weekday or weekend show. The idea of shifting to a weekday market is also being discussed at the regional markets, including Dallas, Atlanta and Chicago, Mandelbaum said.
The newly announced contemporary market has caused a split on the trade show calendar, with the California Market Center already committed to its April 8–12 Fall ’05 market dates. Mandelbaum said he hopes that everyone will eventually follow the early market dates, which open up opportunities for international exhibitors and buyers and allow West Coast exhibitors to show their lines before retailer budgets are allocated. “We’re hoping down the road to merge into one with the early dates and to get off the weekend,” he said.
In the meantime, Mandelbaum noted that the Los Angeles Contemporary Market and the CMC’s Los Angeles Fashion Market Summer ’05 events will be held simultaneously. Those market dates are set for Jan. 14–18. D&A will run Jan. 14–17.
