Calgary market changed to Aug. 17-19
By Michael J. Knell -- Furniture Today, December 24, 2001
WINNIPEG, Manitoba — WINNIPEG, Manitoba — Security concerns surrounding a meeting of world leaders has pushed back the dates of the Calgary furniture market to Aug. 17-19, 2002.
Market Showplace, operated by Furniture West, the factory association based here, was scheduled for June 22-24 at the Round-Up Center in Calgary, Alberta. The venue will not change.
The meeting of world leaders will be hosted by Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien at a park just outside Calgary at virtually the same time as the market's original June dates.
Terry Clark, chairman of Furniture West and president of Acme Chrome Furniture, said, "Summit organizers have booked two of the hotels we use for the market and have paid for them in advance."
Clark said his people also were told that, in light of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, every commercial vehicle entering Calgary between June 20 and June 30 likely would be searched, making it difficult for exhibitors to get goods into the Round-Up Center.
He said it made sense to simply postpone the show.
For the past several years, the Calgary market has run in conjunction with Mega Group's annual merchandise mart. Michael Graydon, president and chief executive officer of the big buying group, said a decision would be made shortly on the Mega mart dates.
"Our concern is that (August) is too late for our members," Graydon said, "but we're having a look at it."
Clark said Cantrex Group already has indicated it will support the August dates. For the past few years, Cantrex, Canada's largest furniture buying group, has held a regional member meeting immediately prior to the Calgary market.
