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Chicago Fashion Foundation Business Luncheon - "Think Big"

Date: Wednesday, April 28, 2004
Location: Hard Rock Hotel Chicago, 230 N. Michigan Avenue

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Jennifer Van Kirk
Director of Membership, Chicago Convention + Tourism Board

Facts:

• 80% of tourists shop while visiting Chicago
• Chicago receive over $8 billion per year in revenue from tourism
• In 2003 there were 1,500 trade shows in Chicago
• An average of 3 events per day were scheduled around the city

CCTB:

• Retains over 1,700 members
• Promotes Chicago tourism year-round
• Brings both business + leisure tourism to the Chicago area
• Created, in conjunction with Mayor Daley's office, the "We're Glad You Are Here" campaign
• Created the "Shop in Chicago - The Ultimate Glamour Getaway" promotion
  Involvement in this campaign is free to Chicago retailers; businesses need to provide their own promotional materials.

Sheri Styles
Specialty Jewelry Buyer, Marshall Fields

Facts:

• Marshall Fields State Street is in the top 3 tourist destinations
• In 2003 Field's launched "Local Designer Collection" to feature Chicago area designers

How to Do Business W/ Department Stores:

• Structure is #1 to Department Stores
  • Shipping
  • Merchandising
  • Brand loyalty
  • Events
• Technology
  • Formal computer ordering system in place
  • Email to communicate with buyers, vendors
• Have a business plan in place before approaching a Dept. Store
• Project your sales goals for that store · Create a marketing budget
• Define your target market
• Create a unique logo and packaging
• Pre-ticket your merchandise for the store
• Know your materials before meeting with the store buyer - i.e. stones, metals, fabrics, etc.
• Maintain a consistent pricing structure for all your accounts - i.e. dept. stores as well as other vendors (website, boutiques, etc...)
• Most importantly - be open to feedback and work within the stores guidelines

Amy Tara Koch
Fashion Journalist, TV Personality

2004 Spring Trends:

• Cote D'Azur Chic
• Athletic Fusion
• Old Hollywood
• Urbane June Cleaver: 1950's Redux
• Romance
• Pin-up Princesses/Rodeo Gals
• Gatsby A-GoGo:1920's Revisited
• Prints + Color
• 3 Top Beauty Trends: "Chic Mess", Flapper-style", "Jet Set Glow"