“The goal of the promotion was to generate interest among prospective July Market attendees by encouraging them to pre-register for their visit to our showroom,” says Jon Dennis of Creative Connection.

And, the hard work paid off! Nearly 450 buyers pre-registered for the grand prize drawing to win one of the three iPads. Three lucky buyers walked away with a 64-gigabtye iPad. But, Creative Connection did not leave out the others. Those who did now win an iPad received a complimentary backpack just for dropping by the showroom.

When developing marketing plans and fresh ideas to attract current and new buyers to your showroom try out-of-the-box thinking with promotional giveaways and appealing incentives to pre-register for Market. It worked for Creative Connection; it can work for you!

While each Market individually offers a unique showcase, together they create an unrivaled collaboration of debuts, top lines and dynamic product. Only here, will retailers discover new product launched within the last month and be able to take advantage of the last order-writing Markets of the year.  The Markets present gourmet, home furnishings and gift in four buildings of permanent product centers, supported by temporary categories staged in Building 1, floor 7.

Plus, discover the creme de la creme of gourmet with the Best of Atlanta awards, learn how to build baskets and merchandise in today’s economy and find out more about social media and best business practices.

It’s all here this September!

For more information, click here.

First umderstand that establishing a social network doesn’t ensure marketing success. As with any other strategy, you have to actively engage your customers for it to work. In other words, just having a website, a Facebook page, etc. doesn’t mean you’ll gain business. You have to look at these as tools as any others – they’re tools and should be used to carry out an overall plan.

According to Macaluso, if you’re going to implement a social networking campaign, you must:

1. Develop a strategy that will get you started including identifying business objectives and determining tactics such as creating connections with customers and vendors and creating valid discussions to drive interest.

2. Know your customer  and use that knowledge as the basis for your content. Basically, talk about topics they want to know about to capture their interest.

3. Be real, be sincere. Be honest in your intentions and sincerely convey truths about your business. Create a professional presence that showcases relationships and capabilities. Social web participation should be part of what your company is, not an “add-on” element.

4. Monitor, measure, feedback loop. This can be time consuming and requires a strategy but it can be as simple as being aware of what people say on your site.

5. Content! Content! Content! Remember that you are an expert and have access to a wealth of information you can offer to your customers. Use the opportunity to discuss specific styles and lines you carry when discussing overall trends.

You must have a viable presence on the major sites: Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, MySpace, LinkedIn and a blog but you also should explore local sites and others such as Flickr, Slideshare, Yelp and Friendfeed.

There are a wealth of tools out there to use to build your business. To capitalize on them, you have to be active and ontop of what you’re communicating and what others are saying about you . This is a tremendous opportunity for the industry to reach customers where they spend time and make decisions. Don’t be let out of the discussions!

To understand teen-age girls, a retailer must understand her influences. She’s all about celebrities, movies, TV and music – and she’s completely tech savvy and plugged in. Watch the shows and movies she does to get a feel for the celebrities she wants to emulate. Know about the Twilight saga and the stars of Glee and Gossip Girl. Know what Taylor Swift and Selena Gomez wore to the latest award ceremony. You can bet your customers do. Read the magazines she does; she’ll use the celebrity photos and editorial tips as her personal “stylist.” Try to play the music she listens to in your store. It’s all part of creating an inviting atmosphere.

She loves to shop and will start looking for a prom dress three months ahead of the event. She’ll also visit an average of three stores and try on more than 20 dresses – give her as many reasons as possible to choose your store for the purchase. At least 17 percent will post a photo online of their dress but not until after the big night – however, it’s a good bet she’d be thrilled to see herself on your site the day after as well and would then forward your link to family and friends.

Teens are completely locked into internet shopping and research as well as social networking. Make sure your store isn’t left out of the loop. It’s how they communicate.

While teens are cutting back on extras such as limos, tanning and professional photography, girls don’t seem willing to skimp on the dress. Most teen girls – 75 percent – says they receive at least as much money from their parents as they did before the economic downturn, and 42 percent don’t believe they’ve been personally affected by the economy. More than 90 percent of prom-goers say they’ll buy a new dress; 6 percent say they’ll buy two dresses.

For 2011, look for three-dimensional embelishments, mixed & unique fabrics and draping as well as liquid metals. Ladylike styles, soft focus prints, animal prints, revamped pinks and yellow will be popular, and remember that red looks good on almost any girl. Hi-low hems continue to be a popular option to show off great shoes. Looks that have been around but aren’t going away: short, one-shouldered, ball gowns, glitz and interesting backs.

Atlanta has long been known as the epicenter of prom and pageant fashion, and the 2010 Market runway show exceeded expectations. Thursday night’s Haute for Prom runway fashion show showcased a stunning array of gowns to suit any style.

Featured sponsors Mac Duggal, Alfred Angelo, Kiss Kiss Formal by Mary’s and Dana Mathers, along with silver sponsor Terani, presented collections of prom, bridal, pageantry, homecoming, Quinceañera and social occasion and accessory designs opening the show with their newest collections. The complete runway show featured more than 350 gowns.

From sequins and feathers to ruffles and lace to chiffon and satin, the word of the evening was diverse. Slim and sleek or full and flowing. Rows of ruffles or sexy cut-outs. Saturated color dominated along with creative prints. Sassy short styles and the short skirt with a flowing overlay offered options for those looking for something beyond a traditional long gown.  

Several designers showed designs specifically created for larger sizes, since not ever prom-goer or pageant participant is a size 4. Always crowd favorites, the little princesses strutted miniature ball gowns as well as ballerina styles. Looks for the guys ranged from traditional to two-tone to softer gray.

With hundreds of lines to choose from, there are selections in Atlanta that will thrill the prom-goers and pageant queens in any town with showstopping style. Visit the showrooms and temps to find just the right ones to make your store THE place to shop in your area.

*Must be prom, bridal or special occasion retailer to enter

AmericasMart is not affiliated with Xcite or the giveway.

The excitement of the largest prom market began earlier this week with the arrival of the “prom books,” which brought dozens of special occasion buyers from around the globe. The energy they came to Market with is only going to increase as the weekend nears and more buyers arrive and all temporary booths and showrooms open. This is one Market you don’t want to miss!

More information about Market and all the chic fashion shows and events can be found here.

If you’re already in Atlanta, grab an Apparel Guide for all the important details!

The tickets are already piling up! It appears that hundreds have already stuffed the box with their hopefully “lucky” ticket.

Don’t miss out on this very special, very big giveaway!

AmericasMart is not affiliated with Jovani or the giveaway.

Taking center stage are five featured sponsors. Gold sponsors Kiss Kiss Formal by Mary’s, Dana Mathers, Mac Duggal and Alfred Angelo, along with silver sponsor Terani, will highlight collections of prom, bridal, pageantry, homecoming, Quinceañera and social occasion and accessory designs opening the show with their newest collections. Plus, there will be dozens of more names to see throughout the evening

Buyers will also be able to see the Style Runway
Fashion Show on Friday, August 27 at 6:30 p.m.
in the LOUNGE, Floor 2. The Style Runway Fashion Show, sponsored by Amy J Hill and Judith March, will feature young contemporary, premiere, ready-to-wear, holiday and resort accessories and special occasion trends. And, buyers are invited to join us for complimentary cocktails prior to the fashion show at 6 p.m.

Can’t make these shows? Check out the daily fashion shows taking place in the Atrium Lounge at 11a.m. & 3p.m.

For more details on the events through out August Market please click here.

Faviana has committed to donating a percentage of its sales at the August Atlanta Apparel Market to Enchanted Closet, along with providing several of its top gowns. Faviana will be promoting the organization and encouraging all buyers to help the cause throughout Market. Also, Bonita Johnson, head of Enchanted Closet, will be at Market in Faviana’s showroom speaking about the organization and seeking volunteers and more donations.

As an organization that is 100 percent run by volunteers, Enchanted Closet relies on industry leaders to contribute and provide dresses and/or financial assistance to ensure that all local girls’ have the “one” gown they desire for prom. And, it’s well on its way with the help of veterans like Faviana.

Visit the Faviana showroom to find out more information about the Enchanted Closet and find out how you can become involved.

For more details on the organization, visit www.enchantedcloset.org.