International Market Centers (IMC), which operates the Las Vegas and Atlanta market events, along with managing the majority of showroom space at the High Point Market, launched a new initiative in conjunction with its JuniperMarket B2B e-commerce platform to support women-owned businesses in the home industry.
Known as RISE, the program debuted at the Atlanta and Las Vegas Markets in July with pavilions featuring 18 women-owned brands. The brands also have a year-round presence on JuniperMarket so that buyers can shop them outside physical markets.
“RISE was a perfect way to solidify the link between IMC’s physical and digital markets,” said Bill Furlong, CEO of Juniper by IMC. “The RISE pavilions in Atlanta and Las Vegas served as places of discovery, education, community and commerce for buyers and sellers alike.”
During the Atlanta and Las Vegas markets, buyers placed nearly $71,000 in orders with the featured brands: 700 Rivers, Amy Zhang, ANOVÉ, Ardor Bin, Becalia Botanicals, daph., Duebest, EATABLE, Gleam Eyewear, JJ Paperie & Co, Modern Theory, Naked Bar Soap Co., Ora Ana, Ordinary Habit, Salut, Soil to Studio, Us Two Tea and Verve Culture.
The 18 brands – 15 of which are led by women of color – joined JuniperMarket as part of IMC’s acquisition of the Dough e-commerce platform in early 2022. The brands were selected and mentored in market preparation for RISE by Vanessa Bruce, JuniperMarket by IMC vice president of social impact.
RISE pavilions will be featured at future markets, as well as continuing online on JuniperMarket.
“RISE furthers IMC’s mission to support values-based commerce and to bring new perspectives to our community of brands,” said Bob Maricich, CEO of IMC. “We plan to build upon the success of our inaugural efforts by repeating – and expanding – this showcase of women-owned brands at future markets.”