ATLANTA, GA – June 18, 2026 – Atlanta Market and Atlanta Apparel concluded their Summer 2026 edition at AmericasMart Atlanta, bringing together buyers, brands and industry professionals for six days of sourcing across gift, home, outdoor living, apparel, accessories, and lifestyle categories.

For the first time, due to compression from the FIFA World Cup, the two Markets were held concurrently from June 9–14 and gave retailers access to complementary product categories across all three AmericasMart Atlanta buildings, creating a single buying destination for multiple merchandise sectors. Overall, total buying accounts were up 1.1% in a year marked with change to format, date, and category, showing a positive reaction to this year’s co-located Summer market experience.

"The co-location of Atlanta Market and Atlanta Apparel delivered exactly what today's retailers are looking for — greater efficiency, broader discovery, and opportunities to source across categories in one destination," said Amory Wooden, Chief Revenue Officer, ANDMORE. "From gift and home to apparel, accessories, and lifestyle products, buyers embraced the opportunity to connect with new brands, strengthen existing partnerships and build assortments that reflect the way consumers shop today."

Buyers Shop Across Categories

The combined marketplace brought together Atlanta Market's gift, home, and furnishings resources alongside Atlanta Apparel's contemporary fashion, accessories, footwear, children's, and specialty categories. The co-located shows positively impacted the Apparel and Grocery/Convenience Store categories with buying accounts up 53% and 21% year-over-year respectively, indicating interest in category crossover.

Early feedback from exhibitors and buyers suggests that attendees actively shopped both markets, using the expanded product mix to identify new vendor relationships and plan assortments for upcoming selling seasons.

"We had a great show this week! We saw so many new accounts that we've never worked with before and exceeding our sales goal this week!" - Hunter Freese, Dolce Vita

“Our overall Market experience has been excellent. As buyers of both apparel and gift, having the two markets combined in one location is incredibly valuable and makes the show highly efficient.” - Karen Brown, Petalura (b.Joy Brands LLC)

For first-time participants, which were up 22.5% year-over-year, the co-located markets provided an opportunity to connect with buyers, neighboring brands, and industry peers while gaining exposure to new audiences across both gift and apparel categories.

“And just like that, our first @AmericasMartATL summer market is in the books. We didn't know exactly what to expect walking in, but what we found was so much more than we imagined. The real highlight? The incredible people behind the scenes — the makers, the dreamers and the brand builders hustling right alongside us in the hallways and booths. See you next time, Atlanta!” – @bathandpajama

Exhibitors Recognized for Merchandising Excellence

Exhibitors across both markets were recognized for excellence in merchandising, branding, and visual presentation. Atlanta Market and Atlanta Apparel are excited to announce 11 temporary exhibitors as recipients of the Best Booth Awards, with Ameico earning the distinguished Best of Show honor for Atlanta Market and BudhaGirl earning the Best of Show honor for Atlanta Apparel. On the last day of the market, Madhouse Designs was awarded the People’s Choice Award through social media voting.

Atlanta Market's Summer 2026 Best Booth Award winners:

• Best In Show: Ameico (2-1-303)
• People's Choice: Madhouse Designs (3-1-351) 
• Best Storytelling: Match Book South (2-1-512)
• Best Branding Display: High Camp (2-3-402)
• Best Interactive Elements: Mini Mahler (3-5-2606)
• Best Product Merchandising: Prince of Scots (2-2-100J)
• Best Use of Color: Packed Party (3-5-2700)

Atlanta Apparel's Summer 2026 Best Booth Award winners:

• Best In Show: BudhaGirl (3-2-1900)
• Best Product Merchandising: Vincent (3-2-1602)
• Best Gameday Trends: Cora's Den (3-3-308)
• Buyers Choice: Glam (3-1-218)

Summer 2026 Market Snapshot also highlighted standout products across the gift and home categories. Winners included:

• Modern Deco: Lucas & McKearn – Marvel Vanity Light
• Quirky Animals: Seltzer Goods – Pink Elephant Cocktail Napkin Set
• Green With Envy: Ojo Candles – Peacock Elegance
• Soft Touch: L’Objet – L’Object x Jessica McCormack Collection
• Game Day: Sorority & Sisterhood – Acrylic Scalloped Tray and Scarflette

Beyond the Show Floor

In addition to sourcing opportunities, buyers participated in educational programming, networking events, and on-campus activations throughout the week.

Highlights included Atlanta Market's A-List Designer program featuring Corey Damen Jenkins and Sally Draughon, founder of Previews Interiors & Antiques. Events included Market Chat: Corey Damen Jenkins's Design Journey, where the AD100 designer shared insights from his career, discussed the evolution of his design practice, and celebrated the launch of his new book, Design Reimagined, during a post-event book signing.

Market attendees also followed on-site coverage from Summer 2026 Market Stars Angie Johnston, Angel Rice, Britney Patty, Dawn Heuer and Andrea Bibbs, who shared product discoveries, trend insights and exhibitor highlights throughout the week. Their coverage can be viewed on Instagram at @AmericasMartATL and @ApparelMarkets. And participants partook in further engaging social content thanks to the inaugural Snap & Win activation that awarded the grand prize to Spence and Lane Boutique.

“AmericasMart continues to be one of the highlights of our buying calendar each season. The market plays a critical role in the success of our retail business at Atlantis. The ability to connect with our key, long-standing vendors in their expanded showrooms while simultaneously discovering new, unique products in the temporary exhibits creates a highly productive buying environment.” – Michael Williams, Atlantis Resorts

Atlanta Summer Casual Market will be held July 21-23, Atlanta August Apparel from August 3-6, and Atlanta Fall Formal Market August 3-7, all at AmericasMart Atlanta. Atlanta Market and Atlanta Apparel return to their traditional winter schedule next year, with Atlanta Winter Market January 12-17 and Atlanta Apparel February 2-5 at AmericasMart Atlanta.

About Atlanta Market: Atlanta Market is a premier wholesale market offering the nation’s largest mix of gift products along with home décor, furnishings, apparel and the largest outdoor living presentation in the country. Spanning three buildings with 51 floors of showrooms and temporary exhibits, Atlanta Market attracts retailers and designers from across the U.S. and more than 60 countries. Owned and operated by ANDMORE, Atlanta Market is held twice annually at AmericasMart Atlanta. AtlantaMarket.com.

About Atlanta Apparel: Atlanta Apparel is a series of five annual markets hosted by AmericasMart, showcasing the latest trends in contemporary, young contemporary, women’s modern, shoes, fashion accessories and specialty categories like children’s and plus-size apparel. Atlanta Apparel is the premier destination for buyers seeking fresh, on-trend styles. Owned and operated by ANDMORE, Atlanta Apparel is held at AmericasMart Atlanta. Atlanta-Apparel.com.

About ANDMORE^®: ANDMORE, a Blackstone portfolio company, empowers wholesale buyers and sellers to connect, grow and prosper through premier physical markets and design centers. The company operates over 20 million square feet of premium tradeshow and showroom space, hosting events in Atlanta, High Point, N.C., Las Vegas and New York City. ANDMORE.com.

The retailers that designers recommend aren't the ones with the deepest inventory or the most beautiful showroom. They're the ones that never make a designer chase.

A single active interior designer relationship can drive a meaningful stream of high-ticket projects to a rug retailer every year — custom orders, broadloom-to-area conversions, repeat specifications across multiple clients, and ongoing cleaning and restoration work. No ad spend. No competing with online sellers on price. Just consistent, designer-led demand from someone who has already sold their client on quality before your name ever comes up.

At Service Buddy, we work with rug and carpet retailers across the country, and the pattern is consistent: the retailers winning designer business aren't the ones with the biggest showrooms. They're the ones with the tightest operations. This is the playbook we see working.

What designers actually care about

Ask most retailers what designers want and they'll say product selection and trade pricing. Those matter, but they're table stakes. The decision of who a designer keeps calling comes down to something simpler: who makes their life easier, and who makes it harder.

Speed of response. Designers are typically juggling five to ten active projects at once. When they need a quote, a memo sample, or an availability check, they don't send one inquiry and wait — they reach out to two or three partners, and whoever responds first gets the job. A 48-hour turnaround that feels reasonable for retail is a death sentence for a designer relationship. The retailers we see winning the most designer work are the ones whose quotes go out same-day, every time — typically because the quoting process itself has been redesigned to eliminate the manual steps that cause delay.

Lead-time honesty. Custom hand-knotted programs run twelve to twenty weeks. Stocked goods can ship in a week. Designers don't need optimistic dates — they need accurate ones, because their professional reputation is stapled to every timeline they give their client. The retailer who quotes sixteen weeks and delivers in sixteen weeks will win every time over the one who promises ten and delivers in eighteen. This is where real inventory visibility and order tracking earn their keep.

Forwardable proposals. When a designer sends your quote to their client, they're forwarding a sample of your taste in partners. A clean, branded digital proposal with itemized pricing, fiber and construction specs, photos, and clear timelines makes the designer look organized and discerning. A spreadsheet thrown together in a hurry makes them look like they cut corners on vendor selection. Designers won't tell you the proposal is the reason they stopped calling. They'll just stop calling.

Proactive communication. The number one operational complaint designers have about every trade partner is having to ask for updates. Order confirmation, production status on a custom piece, shipping, delivery, scheduled binding or finishing. Every "just checking in" call is a small withdrawal from the relationship. The retailers designers love are the ones that push information before it's requested — and the only way to do that consistently across dozens of active projects is to have a system that triggers it automatically.

Memo and sample flow. Designers move fast when specifying. If pulling a memo or confirming what's in stock requires a phone call and a 24-hour wait, you've introduced friction at exactly the moment they're making a decision. Fast, organized sample programs are a quiet differentiator most retailers under-invest in.

Where most retailers lose designer business without realizing it

Picture a designer's Monday morning. She has a client presentation at noon, three active projects in production, and a new build that needs rug specs by end of week. She emailed your team a quote request on Thursday. It's Monday and she hasn't heard back. She calls, gets voicemail, leaves a message. By the time your salesperson returns the call Tuesday afternoon, she's already specified someone else's piece, forwarded the quote to her client, and moved on.

You didn't lose that job on price or product. You lost it on Tuesday afternoon when you returned a call that needed to be returned Thursday evening.

The second failure point is what happens after the sale. Once the client signs and the order is placed, the designer often vanishes from the communication thread. Nobody copies her on production milestones for the custom piece. Nobody flags a two-week delay from the mill. She finds out about the delay when her client calls her upset — which means her first interaction with the problem is also an apology to her client. That is the kind of experience that makes a designer quietly stop recommending you.

Most of the time, this isn't a people problem — it's an infrastructure problem. The store is running designer-originated jobs through the same workflow as walk-in retail, with the same communication cadence and the same follow-up process. But designer jobs have different stakeholders, different expectations, and different consequences when something slips. They need their own pipeline.

The operational playbook

None of this requires an overhaul. The changes are process-level adjustments that compound over time — and Service Buddy was built specifically to make each of them the default rather than the exception.

Build a real trade program. Clear trade pricing tiers. Defined terms for memos, holds, and custom-order deposits. Expected turnaround on quotes. A dedicated contact. The goal isn't an elaborate perks system — it's removing ambiguity so a designer knows exactly what to expect before staking her reputation on recommending you. Service Buddy lets retailers configure designer-specific pricing and terms once, then apply them automatically to every quote that designer touches.

Assign a dedicated point of contact. Continuity matters. A designer should never have to re-explain who she is or which project she's calling about. One team member who knows her preferences, her clients, and her project patterns will outperform a rotating cast every time. The CRM should give that person every prior interaction at a glance.

Set up milestone-based communication. Map the stages of every job: quote sent, quote approved, deposit received, production started, in transit, delivered, installed. Then build a workflow that keeps the designer copied on each milestone automatically. This single change eliminates the biggest source of designer frustration in the trade — and it's exactly the kind of repetitive, high-leverage work an AI-native platform can run in the background so your team doesn't have to.

Track designer relationships and revenue. Who is sending you business. How many projects per year. Total revenue per designer. How long since you last heard from each. A designer who sent you five jobs last year and zero this year isn't a lost cause — she's a phone call away from reactivation. But you'll never make that call if you're not tracking it. Service Buddy AI surfaces these patterns automatically, flagging accounts that have gone quiet before the relationship cools off completely.

What this looks like when it works

The real leverage comes when these pieces are connected into one system — quoting, proposals, communication, production tracking, payments, and CRM all feeding each other rather than living in spreadsheets and inboxes.

That is exactly what Service Buddy was built to do. It's the AI-native operating platform for rug and carpet retailers, designed from the ground up around how rug businesses actually run — custom orders with long lead times, designer relationships that span dozens of clients, memo programs, cleaning and restoration workflows, and the operational complexity that comes with high-ticket goods. Every retailer we work with sees the same shift: the designer experience stops being held together by manual effort and good intentions and becomes how the business runs by default.

The retailers winning designer business consistently have made this shift. They've moved past "work harder and follow up more" and invested in systems that make them easy to work with at scale, every time.

Start this week. Pick one thing — clean up your proposal template, set up a designer contact list, commit to responding to every inquiry within four hours. Then build from there.

FAQ

How many projects can one designer relationship represent for a rug retailer? It varies widely by the designer's project volume and the price points they specify, but a strong relationship will compound across custom orders, repeat specifications, and ongoing cleaning and restoration work — often becoming one of the highest-margin channels a retailer has. Because designers reuse trusted vendors and refer one another, a single relationship frequently opens three or four more without any outbound effort.

What do designers care about most when choosing a rug partner? Response speed, lead-time honesty, proposal quality, and proactive communication — in roughly that order, and usually well ahead of price. The deciding factor is operational: which retailer protects the designer's professional reputation with her client. Designers will pay more for a partner they can count on.

Tom Strachan is the founder and CEO of Service Buddy, the AI-native operating platform built for rug and carpet retailers. Service Buddy connects quoting, digital proposals, payments, inventory, scheduling, and CRM into one workflow designed around how rug businesses actually run. Learn more at servicebuddy.io.

OTTAWA, ON — Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, 30th Governor General of Canada, received a one-of-a-kind, handcrafted rug designed by her own hand and made entirely from 100% Canadian wool, at a special ceremony held at Rideau Hall in Ottawa. The unveiling of the Vice-Regal Wool Rug, hosted by the Canadian Wool Council and the Campaign for Wool in Canada, brought together the artisans, designers, and partners whose skill and dedication made the piece possible — and offered a fitting tribute to Canada’s first Indigenous Governor General, and her distinguished service to Canada.

The rug, measuring 8’ x 10’, was conceived and designed by Governor General Simon herself, drawing on the vivid colours and textures of a cherished childhood place in the Canadian North. Working with the support of the National Capital Commission (NCC) and Toronto-based rug design firm Creative Matters, Her Excellency’s vision was brought to life by the skilled craftspeople at Cabernet Carpets in Waterloo, Ontario — entirely on Canadian soil, using 100% Canadian wool. The project was generously supported by Dr. Michael Dan, C.M., O.Ont. 

In a private presentation just prior to the main reception, Their Excellencies Governor General Simon and Mr. Whit Fraser saw the completed rug for the first time, greeted the partners who created it, and posed for the official group photograph before joining the wider celebration. 

“This rug is 100% Product of Canada in every sense — the wool, the design, the manufacturing, and the vision behind it,” said Matthew J. Rowe, Chair of the Campaign for Wool in Canada and Canadian Wool Council, and Head of Delegation—Canada for the International Wool Textile Organization. “Governor General Simon honoured our industry and our country by choosing to tell a piece of her story in Canadian wool. We are especially grateful to our donor Dr. Michael Dan for making this special project possible, and hope this piece will inspire Canadians for generations to come as it takes its permanent place at Rideau Hall.” 

The rug will remain at Rideau Hall as a permanent donation to the Canadian Crown Collection, a lasting record of Governor General Simon’s mandate rendered in the fibres of her country. The Canadian Wool Council has extended the same invitation to Madam Justice Louise Arbour, incoming Governor General of Canada, as well as Prime Minister Mark Carney, to design their own custom Canadian wool rug for donation to the Crown Collection — a tradition the Council hopes will grow into a cherished feature of public life in Canada. 

The project is a proud expression of the Campaign for Wool, the international initiative founded under the patronage of His Majesty King Charles III, which champions wool as a natural, renewable, and biodegradable fibre. Canada’s participation in the Campaign, and this extraordinary gift to the Governor General, reflects the depth of Canada’s wool industry and its world-class creative and manufacturing talent. 

“There is something profoundly moving about seeing Canadian wool, Canadian craftsmanship, and Her Excellency’s own memories woven together into a lasting piece for Rideau Hall. Projects like this remind us that craft can hold history, identity and emotion in a way few other mediums can. It was incredibly meaningful for Creative Matters to help bring this vision to life,” said Ali McMurter, Managing Partner, Creative Matters. 

“This project is a testament to what Canadian craftsmanship can achieve using what we have right in our own backyard. Canada produces exceptional wool, and we have the skill and talent here in Ontario to manufacture pieces fit for the most important rooms in this country and across the globe,” said Mike Fuendling, President and CEO, Cabernet Carpets Inc. “At a time when buying domestic and supporting Canadian manufacturing matters more than ever, we are proud that Rideau Hall will tell that story. We are grateful to Creative Matters Inc. and the Campaign for Wool for their partnership in bringing this project to life, and we are deeply honoured to present Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon with something that celebrates the very best of what Canada has to offer.” 

From a Canadian flock, through the hands of a Canadian design team and Ontario craftspeople, to the walls of Rideau Hall — this ceremony is a reminder that Canadian design and manufacturing excellence belongs not only on the world stage, but at the very heart of our national story.

It also fulfills the mission of the Canadian Wool Council to develop high-value added opportunities for Canadian wool as outlined in the Carpet Plan. 

About the Canadian Wool Council / Campaign for Wool in Canada 

The Canadian Wool Council is the national voice of Canada’s wool industry, representing producers, processors, designers, manufacturers, and retailers committed to developing opportunities for Canadian wool and the Canadians who transform it. 

https://campaignforwool.ca/ 

About Creative Matters 

Established in 1988, Creative Matters designs handknotted rug collections and custom, fair-trade floor coverings for clients in over 40 countries. 

https://creativemattersinc.com/ 

About Cabernet Carpets 

Cabernet Carpets, based in Waterloo, Ontario, is a proud Canadian manufacturer of custom, hand-tufted carpets and rugs. Their skilled craftspeople produced Governor General Simon’s rug entirely in Canada, and previously made the rug in the Ballroom at Rideau Hall. 

https://cabernetcarpets.ca/ 

About the National Capital Commission (NCC) 

The NCC is the federal Crown corporation responsible for planning and protecting Canada’s Capital Region, including the stewardship of Rideau Hall and its historic interiors. 

https://ncc-ccn.gc.ca/ 

Registration is now open for COVER Connect New York 2026, the leading trade show dedicated to high-end handmade rugs and carpets, returning to Manhattan this September.

Organised by COVER magazine, the event brings together leading rug brands, manufacturers, designers and buyers from across the international rug and interiors industries.

Trade professionals are encouraged to register early to benefit from fast-track entry and to be among the first to receive exhibitor news, event updates and information on activities taking place during the show.

 Taking place at the Metropolitan Pavilion and The Altman Building from September 26–28, COVER Connect New York offers a carefully curated and highly focused environment in which to discover new collections, identify emerging trends and build valuable business relationships ahead of the autumn selling season.

The show champions the creativity, craftsmanship and versatility of woven flooring, offering a comprehensive overview of contemporary rug production. From traditional rugs and flatweaves, to versatile flooring solutions for residential and commercial projects, to contemporary artistic works and bespoke commissions, the event provides a dedicated setting for buyers and design professionals to source new products, explore custom opportunities and strengthen industry relationships in person.

Registration

Visitor registration for COVER Connect New York 2026 is now open. Industry professionals are invited to secure their place now. Registering in advance means that visitors’ applications to attend are verified before their arrival at the show, reducing wait times and ensuring smoother entry. 

Register at ccny26registration.thecoverconnect.com

FOUR NEW EXHIBITORS JOIN COVER CONNECT NEW YORK

With an exceptional selection of leading rug brands, the 2026 edition welcomes four new exhibitors: Art de Vivre, Arsin Rug Gallery, Nourison Home and Parviz Oriental Rugs. These additions further strengthen the show’s offering and provide visitors with even more opportunities to discover new collections, products and business partnerships.

The popular, well established US brand Nourison Home delivers stylish designs that combine comfort, ease and everyday living to simplify placement and upkeep. Art de Vivre creates inventive, bespoke rugs as collectible design pieces. Arsin Rug Gallery offers a curated, expert-led approach to selecting the right rug, while Parviz Oriental Rugs brings a family-run heritage of rug expertise in sales, cleaning and restoration built over generations. This latter company made its COVER Connect debut at the Las Vegas edition in January, and September sees its first appearance at COVER Connect New York.

On joining for the fifth edition of CCNY, Art de Vivre’s Executive Director, Pavel Liber said: ‘COVER Connect New York is a great space to showcase all our magnificent collections from recent years to a professional B2B audience.’

Exhibitors

Amer Rugs — Anadol Rugs — Arsin Rug Gallery — Art de Vivre — Asha Carpets — Banu Home — Battilossi — Bespoke Tibetan Carpets — Caravan — Couristan — Creative Matters — Design Materials Inc. — French Accents —  Harounian Rugs International — Jade Industries — Jaipur Rugs — Kirkit Rugs — Knot & Co. — Knots Rugs — Lapchi — Momeni — New Moon — Nourison Home — Olker Rugs — Pampas Leather — Parviz Oriental Rugs — Rebel Carpets — S&H Rugs — Samad Rugs — Sattar Rugs — Sumaq Alpaca — Tamarian — The New England Collection — Tibet Rug Company — Tissage — UnderItAll — Via Star Rugs — Wool & Silk

Opening Hours

Saturday 26 September 9am–5pm
Sunday 27 September 9am–5pm
Monday 28 September 9am–3pm

Venues

COVER Connect New York takes place across two neighbouring Chelsea venues: the Metropolitan Pavilion and The Altman Building. Connected internally, the venues function as a single event space, enabling visitors to explore the full exhibitor line-up  with ease. 

All visitors should check in at the registration desk located in the Metropolitan Pavilion.

Hotels

For a limited time, discounted hotel accommodation at one of four Manhattan hotels is available for CCNY attendees booking via the show website. 

COVER Connect New York 2026 coincides with the UN General Assembly so accommodation across the city will be limited. We recommend booking your hotel early to avoid disappointment!

Party

COVER Connect New York provides the perfect opportunity to network and get involved in conversations on current topics pertinent to the rug industry. Visitors and exhibitors are warmly invited to join the CCNY team for drinks and canapés at the COVER Connect New York Party from 7–9pm on Sunday September 27, 2026. 

The 2026 CCNY Party is sponsored by The International Surface Event (tise) and the address for the venue—a private bar, with an open-air terrace, in a Manhattan hotel—will be shared with visitors at the show. RSVP can be completed upon registering to attend the show.

Cover

For more than two decades, COVER has connected the global handmade rug community through its magazine, website, events and digital channels. Recognised as the leading voice in the sector, COVER provides essential coverage of contemporary rug design, craftsmanship, innovation and industry developments. 

With an international audience of buyers, architects, interior designers, manufacturers and retailers, COVER continues to champion excellence across the handmade carpet and textile industry.

ATLANTA, GA – May 19, 2026 – ANDMORE will deliver a robust slate of sourcing opportunities, exhibitor expansion and customer-driven experiences when Atlanta Market returns June 9–14, 2026, at AmericasMart Atlanta, co-hosted with Atlanta Apparel. The Summer Market brings together permanent showrooms, newly branded First Finds temporary exhibitors, industry education and on-site events— giving retailers and designers clear reasons to attend and buy as they plan for the second half of the year.

Spanning three buildings and 51 floors, Atlanta Market continues to serve as a central source destination for gift, home décor, furnishings, apparel and outdoor living. The June 2026 Market emphasizes discovery and efficiency, pairing new brand introductions with returning resources and a full calendar of learning and networking designed to help buyers make confident purchasing decisions in a competitive retail environment. Collectively, all the above efforts reinforces Atlanta Market’s role as more than a sourcing destination, it is a marketplace where retailers can engage with brands, ask questions, evaluate products firsthand and make confident buying decisions in real time.

“Atlanta Market is built around one simple goal: making it worth the trip,” said Amory Wooden, CRO of ANDMORE. “From expanded showrooms to discovery-driven First Finds and meaningful education, we’re focused on creating an environment where our customers can uncover what’s next, build relationships and leave Market better positioned to grow their businesses.”

Permanent Showroom Growth Signals Continued Brand Investment

Atlanta Market continues to strengthen its year-round sourcing ecosystem with a wave of new, expanding, relocating and renewing permanent showrooms across its Gift and Home categories for Summer 2026, reflecting sustained confidence from both established brands and new market entrants.

New permanent gift showrooms joining the Market include Cheap Carl’s, Dottie Hart, Ex Voto, Farrisilk , Ice World Manufacturing, Jewelry Repair of Atlanta, Lee Roski, Luxa Interiors, Magnetic Me (at Lemonade Stand), Mark Garland, Native to Nowhere Agency, Perlavera Trading, Road Trips + Friends, Teddy Lessner, Vane & Hart, VSM Jewelry and Wild Republic, while Margaritaville debuts as a new permanent showroom within the Home category.

Overall Market momentum is further reinforced through a range of relocations and expansions. In Gift, relocations include Alison Gardiner Designs / GlitterLab Mostowska Sp.kom, Stony Creek and Tree Buddees, while expansions come from Anju Jewelry, Audrey’s Home & Gift, Hester & Cook, Milio Milano, Nella Pima, Pretty Persuasions, Rylee B, Sheppard & Tucker, Shishi US and Vaccarelli & Associates. Brands completing both relocations and expansions include Designer Greetings, Melrose, Mr. Christmas, Portmeirion, Shishi and Spokandy. In Home, relocations include Aleph Home, Gabby and Steve Hayden, with expansions from Oriental Trimmings, Porch View Home and You Be Are.

Demonstrating long-term commitment to Atlanta Market, a robust group of exhibitors has also renewed permanent showrooms for Summer 2026. Gift renewals include Alexander Taron, Aromatique, Azzure Home, Caspari, Inc., Channel Craft, Cose Nuove, Garden Age Supply, Halcyon Days, Heart Gifts by Teresa, Holiday Tins & Containers, Homart (Areo), Home Essentials, Jascotina, Lifeguard Press, Inc., Melrose, Nicolette Mayer, Option 2, Qualia Glassware / JP Glassware, Santa’s Own, Soffieria De Carlini & Ludell, The Candleberry Company, Unicorn Studio Inc., Vickerman Company, Winter Street Collection, Peus Gift & Decoration, and Vietri. In Home, renewing showrooms include Abigails, Antique Curiosities, Boutross Imports, DownTown Company, East Enterprises, Home Treasures, Jamie Young Company, Jeffan International, K & K Tabletops, Michaelian Home, Paragon and Zeugma Import.

First Finds: A Curated Destination for Discovery

Beginning Summer 2026, ANDMORE will unify its temporary exhibits as "First Finds" across Atlanta Market, Atlanta Apparel, and Las Vegas Market to spotlight emerging, trend-forward; and limited- distribution brands. This streamlined lineup simplifies discovery for buyers seeking fresh inventory and unique resources. Retailers can view the full list of market exhibitors and plan their sourcing ahead of market week via the Atlanta Market Exhibitor Directory at https://www.atlantamarket.com/exhibitor/exhibitor-directory.

Discovery & Connection: Campus-Wide Events and Education

Atlanta Market will host a full schedule of seminars, networking events and showroom celebrations to provide buyers with insights into design trends, retail strategy and product innovation. These educational and social opportunities are designed to directly complement sourcing and foster industry connections across the campus.

The inaugural "Snap & Win" contest invites registered summer market buyers and guests to post a photo from one of four campus photo walls to Instagram as a Feed post, Reel or Story (saved to Highlights) between May 18 and June 19, 2026, tagging both @americasmartatl and @apparelmarkets. One winner, who must be present at the June 19 noon drawing, will receive two round-trip Delta airfare vouchers valued up to $2,500 each for travel within the contiguous United States. Rules of participation and more details can be found here.

This season, the Market experience comes to life through a robust mix of all-day hubs and signature events. Attendees can recharge in dedicated lounges—including the B3 Atrium Lounge with complimentary coffee each morning, B2 Floor 8 Buyer Lounge and the Designer Workspace (B1, Floor 15) and the Curated Category Lounge spotlighting Game Day and Accessories. The week is anchored by marquee events, beginning with Varsity Night: The Market Kickoff. Additionally, the schedule also includes hands-on culinary programming in the Gourmet Demonstration Kitchen with Southern Classics expert Rebecca Lang.

The excitement continues immediately after Market Chat: Corey Damen Jenkins’s Design Journey with an exclusive book signing featuring the AD100 designer. Jenkins will take the stage to discuss his remarkable career trajectory, brand evolution and his new book, Design Reimagined. From building a powerhouse firm to launching a Masterclass series, he will share crucial lessons on creativity, business longevity and what it takes for designers to successfully find their own voice.

Daily discovery is further fueled by a series of pop-up giveaways and brand activations from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Highlights include the Le Lis Snack Bag Studio, DIFF Eyewear activations, and a Beauty Break with Hayden LA, alongside specialized sessions like The Earring Edit with Chansuttpearls and Stated Apparel styling. Additionally, exhibitors will activate showrooms with new product introductions and coordinated hospitality events, such as Shop the Top on June 9. This cherry- themed celebration brings festive food and drinks to participating Floor 18 showrooms—including Darrah & Company, Demdaco, OneCoast, and Transpac Brands—reinforcing Market week as both a productive and relationship-driven environment.

A complete and up-to-date schedule is available at Events at Atlanta Market.

A special spotlight for this summer’s A-List and Market Stars

Atlanta Market will once again spotlight influential voices through its A-List designers and Market Star program. The A-LIST DESIGNERS will be Corey Damen Jenkins and Sally Draughon and the summer’s Market Stars are: Angie Johnston, Angel Rice, Britney Patty, Dawn Heuer and Andrea Bibbs. The Market Stars will share product picks, style insights and on-site content throughout Market, helping buyers identify standout resources and navigate the expansive marketplace more efficiently.

ATLANTA, May 11, 2026 – ANDMORE®, the largest owner of permanent markets and tradeshow space in the world, today announced several leadership changes to its executive team, including the retirement of Chief Executive Officer Jon Pertchik, effective May 31, 2026.

ANDMORE’s Board of Directors has established an Executive Committee, comprising current executives: Amory Wooden, newly-promoted Chief Revenue Officer; Greg Avitabile, President and Chief Operations Officer; Robert Klein, Chief Financial Officer; and Ximena Juncosa, Chief Human Resources Officer. The Executive Committee will assume expanded responsibilities to help strengthen ANDMORE’s operating structure and align the business around its most critical priorities. The Executive Committee will report directly to the Board, including Blackstone representatives and ANDMORE’s Executive Chairman, Bob Maricich.

“We have fostered a team of exceptionally talented leaders at ANDMORE, and this new structure is designed to put that talent in the driver’s seat to move the business forward most effectively,” said Jon Pertchik, Chief Executive Officer of ANDMORE. “My faith in the strength of this organization and its growth prospects is as unwavering today as it was when I was first appointed CEO. I have full confidence in what comes next and believe the best is yet to come with this team.”

In Wooden’s new role as Chief Revenue Officer, she will oversee ANDMORE’s Marketing and Leasing teams under one unified revenue-generating structure. As CMO, Wooden has been instrumental in building a tech and data-enabled marketing function to set up ANDMORE’s core business for future growth. Marketing and Leasing are critical to revenue success at ANDMORE, and Wooden is a strong leader that will support both teams to drive growth in ANDMORE’s core business. Wooden will also assume responsibility for the company’s Business Development function.

“Connecting Marketing and Leasing is about aligning the business around growth and performance,” said Wooden. “Our goal will be to foster new ways to collaborate, allowing us to deliver bigger results for our tenants and buyers.”

Greg Avitabile, a company veteran of over 30 years, has been appointed President, Chief Operations Officer. During his tenure at ANDMORE, Avitabile has led all aspects of operations across three cities and 22 million square feet of real estate, including maintenance, market operations, shipping and receiving, janitorial, security, construction and tenant improvements. As part of the leadership changes announced today, Avitabile will assume responsibility for ANDMORE’s Technology team, overseeing the continued implementation of its data-driven approach and ensuring it remains a value-driver for the business, as well as oversight of Shoppe Object, New York’s premier home and gift show.

Robert Klein will continue to oversee ANDMORE’s strategic and financial priorities as Chief Financial Officer, working to ensure that the company is operating from a position of strength and well-equipped to continue delivering for our tenants and buyers. Klein will also assume responsibility for the company’s Corporate Development function.

Ximena Juncosa will continue to lead ANDMORE’s people and culture strategy, helping strengthen the leadership, collaboration, and accountability needed to support the business in its next phase. With the leadership changes announced today, Juncosa will also assume responsibility for ANDMORE’s Legal department and work closely with that team to ensure continued partnership and support across the organization.

“ANDMORE has an exceptionally strong foundation built on decades of market leadership and an unmatched industry network that cannot easily be replicated,” said Bob Maricich, Board Chair and former CEO and Founder of ANDMORE. “With this executive team in place and the underlying strength of our real estate footprint, customer relationships, and brand, we have full confidence in the path ahead.”

In connection with this leadership transition, Katie Potter, Chief Strategy Officer and General Counsel, and Landon Williams, Chief Technology Officer, will also step down from their roles at the Company on May 31, 2026.

ANDMORE is committed to a seamless transition of responsibilities across the organization and remains focused on maintaining operational stability and continuing to execute its long-term growth strategy. The Board of Directors is confident in the Executive Committee’s ability to lead the business and will focus on supporting the transition before it initiates a search for a permanent CEO.

About ANDMORE Corporation

ANDMORE, a Blackstone portfolio company, empowers wholesale buyers and sellers to connect, grow, and prosper through premier physical markets and design centers. The company operates over 20 million square feet of premium tradeshow and showroom space, hosting live events in Atlanta, High Point, N.C., Las Vegas, and New York City. Serving industries such as home décor, gift, furniture, and apparel, ANDMORE supports the global B2B community through its unmatched marketplace experiences. ANDMORE.com.

HIGH POINT, N.C. – April 28, 2026 – Five inspiring furniture and home décor products from 25 finalists have been selected as ANDMORE’s Market Snapshot “People’s Choice” Award winners for the Spring 2026 High Point Market. The winners are: Benton Lane, Galerie Wallcoverings, Villa & House, Jeffan andBDI.

The Spring 2026 Market Snapshot program spotlighted standout exhibitor products through five trend‑driven themes—Tactile Softness, Untamed Botanicals, Modern Deco, Crafted Naturals and Modern Minimalism—celebrating design innovation, craftsmanship and emerging market trends.

Spring 2026 Winners & Featured Products:

Tactile Softness: Benton Lane

Product: West Garden: Lemon Garden (Salon G-6026)
Details: Large-scale wall murals designed as full-wall compositions rather than repeats. Available in traditional or peel-and-stick.

Untamed Botanicals: Galerie Wallcoverings

Product: Ornamenta Collection (SAMS M-5026)
Details: A mix of textured stripes, florals, and shimmery leaf designs in green, blue, and neutral tones.

Modern Deco: Villa & House

Product: Edith Mirror (Interhall IH510, 609, 610)
Details: A 34"W x 50"H rectangular mirror with baguette-cut glass panels and a polished brass frame. Supports vertical or horizontal hanging.

Crafted Naturals: Jeffan

Product: Banyan Organic Mosaic Teak Dining Base (IHFC D536)
Details: A 26"W pedestal base made of FSC-certified, kiln-dried reclaimed teak wood. Designed for use with glass tops.

Modern Minimalism: BDI

Product: Halcyon Collection (IHFC D724)
Details: BDI’s expansion into dining. Halcyon features a rectangular table (72"/84") with integrated storage.

The Spring 2026 People’s Choice winners represent the diversity of product found across 1,100+ permanent showrooms and temporary exhibits. Following this spring season, the industry will reconvene for the Fall 2026 High Point Market, scheduled for October 17–21, 2026.

About ANDMORE at High Point Market: High Point Market is the largest and longest-running furnishings industry trade show in the world, featuring an extensive selection of exhibitors across every category, style, and price point for the home. The twice-yearly markets attract tens of thousands of domestic and international retail home furnishings buyers, interior designers, architects, and other industry professionals. ANDMORE owns 17 buildings spanning 7 million square feet in the heart of the market district, housing 1,100+ permanent showrooms and temporary exhibits. ANDMORE also offers a wide variety of educational, trend, and networking opportunities featuring industry leaders and tastemakers. ANDMOREHighPointMarket.com

About ANDMORE®: ANDMORE, a Blackstone portfolio company, empowers wholesale buyers and sellers to connect, grow and prosper through premier physical markets and design centers. The company operates over 20 million square feet of premium tradeshow and showroom space, hosting live events in Atlanta, High Point, N.C., Las Vegas and New York City. Serving industries such as home décor, gift, furniture and apparel, ANDMORE supports the global B2B community through its unmatched marketplace experiences. ANDMORE.com