4 March 1999: Following its successful launch in January 1999, GLMmarketplace.com – a revolutionary new business-to-business electronic commerce system – will be introduced to suppliers and retailers …
4 March 1999: Following its successful launch in January 1999, GLMmarketplace.com – a revolutionary new business-to-business electronic commerce system – will be introduced to suppliers and retailers at the Gourmet Products Show, 16-19 May 1999 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, US. Presented jointly by George Little Management, Inc. (GLM) and eMarketplaces, Inc., GLMmarketplace serves as an extension to GLM“s trade show activities, connecting retailers and suppliers electronically. The ease of this new technology allows GLMmarketplace to serve companies at all levels – hi-tech, low-tech and no-tech – delivering sales leads and product information to participants by either Internet, e-mail, or fax. Participating suppliers and retailers will be grouped by product category, and matched electronically according to expressed need and interest. “The response to GLMmarketplace has exceeded our expectations,” said Alan Steel, executive vice president for GLM. “During its launch at the New York Intemational Gift Fair last month, we registered 5,000 retailers as members and generated nearly 400 leads from suppliers in the gift and decorative accessories industries. We anticipate an enthusiastic reception to GLMmarketplace from retailers and suppliers in the gourmet products industry.” To educate visitors at the two Shows, members of the eMarketplaces staff will be positioned at the GLMmarketplace booth offering buyers registration information and free hands-on demonstrations. Membership will be free for retailers. Additionally, supplier seminars will be offered, free of charge, during the Show to explain the system and its benefits. The primary benefit for supplier members will be the proactive marketing of their products throughout the year to retailers through GLMmarketplace. In addition, membership for suppliers includes: a website, designed and hosted by GLMmarketplace; an e-mail account; interactive product catalog; EDMTM (Blectronic Directed Marketing) with a built-in address book, meeting planner and message centre; and a buyer inquiry management and feedback system. The system will also house a special section devoted to the service of manufacturer“s representatives. GLM is partnering eMarketplaces to produce and market GLMmarketplace using the cutting edge ICES System. As part of this, eMarketplaces has created and designed the GLMmarketplace website and will provide on-going technical support. GLM and eMarketplaces are jointly promoting this service to suppliers and retailers as well as others who participate in GLM tradeshows. Meanwhile, the Gourmet Products Show will increase in importance and size, according to GLM. In a recent press release, GLM, the organizers of the Gourmet Products Show, said that the scope and size of the 23rd annual Gourmet Products Show will expand in 1999 with the Show“s move to New Orleans from San Francisco. The Show will take place 16-19 May 1999 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans. With the move, the show anticipates nearly 285,000 net square feet of exhibition space (an increase of more than 8% over last year). As a result, the show will see an increase in the number of new companies and larger spaces for many returning companies. Le Creuset of America, an exhibitor in the Show since 1979, will exhibit in 1000 net square feet of space in 1999 (up from 300 net square feet in 1989). “The Gourmet Products Show gives us the opportunity to see those buyers that best meet our needs. We made the decision to pull out of another major, industry-related show so that we could concentrate our efforts on Gourmet,” said Doug Richardson, Vice President Marketing at Le Creuset of America. Additional returning exhibitors that have expanded their booth space in 1999 include: Alluflon S.P.A., Design House, Royal Boulton, Santee/Mono, Stonewall Kitchen and Russell Hobbs/PHD Inc. “The importance of the Gourmet Products Show to the industry has become very evident through both buyer feedback and exhibitor interest,” said Susan Corwin, vice president and show manager. “For buyers, the timing of the show is perfect for their fourth-quarter buying. The business-like, yet informal, atmosphere on the show floor gives them the opportunity to spend time with the factory principles. As for the suppliers, the show provides them with the forum to meet with the retailers that they don“t see anyplace else – a great many even time the introduction of their new products and lines specifically for the show.” The 23rd annual Gourmet Products Show will present more than 950 exhibitors featuring cookware, cutlery, tabletop, gadgets, specialty appliances, personal care and travel accessories, specialty food and beverages, and kitchen and table linens. More than 9,000 buyers are expected to attend. For exhibitor information, contact Susan Corwin, vice president and show manager, George Little Management, Inc., 577 Airport Blvd., Suite 610, Burlingame, CA 94010. Telephone (650) 344-5171. Fax (650) 344-5270. Attendee information is available by calling 1-800-272-SHOW or Fax-On-Demand at 1-800-739-0014 ext. 516. Additional information may be obtained by visiting GLM“s web site at www.glmshows.com.