AmericasMart Vice Chairman, President and COO Jeffrey Portman, Sr. announced an initiative AMC TV at AmericasMart in a media briefing Thursday morning.
The market will be embracing video through both television and online as a way to differentiate itself from other markets held throughout the year. Portman said that their channel would bring "excitement, entertainment, networking and education" to the mart.
"I like to think in 60 years of doing markets in various categories, we've managed to survive and thrive in every aspect of what we do," Portman said. "We may stumble. We may fall. We may trip, but we’re going to do our best to put on the greatest market we can that is different in some ways.”
The market will also be shifting its focus to better embrace the apparel market as a cross-merchandising opportunity. Portman praised the apparel market for its ability to adapt and change in retail as well as its ability to attract both newer and younger buyers to the market.
In the future, more apparel vendors may be coming to the January and June markets, joining the gift markets
Portman also announced that Patti Carpenter will be joining the AmericasMart team as a global trend ambassador. Additionally, Vice President of Home Jenny Heinzen York will be heading up the development of the home industry and contributing to AMC TV.
Overall, Portman remains optimistic about the future of AmericasMart and looks forward to the changes and challenges of the future.
"We feel like were off to a great start."
