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AmericasMart LIVEreturns in July 2018 with an all-new roster of today’s cultural icons and globally celebrated lifestyle experts. The July 2018 staging builds on the successful launch of LIVE programming last year when AmericasMart^® transformed the conventional U.S. summer Market experience with a new show aesthetic, linking product sourcing and selling, digital engagement and high-profile thought leader interaction.

The spectacular Main Stage in Building 3 is the epicenter of thought leadership during the Market — headlined by lifestyle legend Martha Stewart, business mogul Bethenny Frankel, and multihyphenate Trisha Yearwood — delivering a rare opportunity for Marketgoers to be inspired by stories and strategies from a trifecta of forces in entertainment, design and business.

The industry’s most anticipated and important night —  2018 ICON HONORS —  now takes place as part ofAmericasMart LIVE. In an exclusive presentation, Arianna Huffington, founder of The Huffington Post and founder and Chief Executive Officer of Thrive Global, imprints a new mark of contemporary cultural thought leadership upon ICON HONORS, which from its founding has championed the role of independent business in the global economy.

Main Stage seminars will be streamed on AmericasMart’s social media channels as well as throughout the campus as they happen, ensuring that buyers and exhibitors have real-time access to these major influencers and as reference points throughout the year.

The must-see coterie of globally celebrated talent gracing the Main Stage begins on Wednesday, July 11with Crystal Vilkaitis, retail social media expert, speaker and founder of Social Edge™leading “6 Steps to a Profitable Social Media Strategy,”followed by beloved American icon Stewartin conversation with Margot Shaw, editor-in-chief of sponsor Flower Magazine, sharing the most pivotal experiences building her multi-million-dollar lifestyle brand along with gardening wisdom from her new book, “Martha’s Flowers.”

On Thursday, July 12, TV host and interior designer Jeremiah Brentleads a panel “Eye on the Guy: Ultimate Home Décor & Fashion Trends for the Style Savvy Man” sponsored by The Atlantan, followed by a Q&A with TV star and business mogul Frankel, whose hustle built the Skinnygirl Cocktails empire and led her to be named one of the Top 100 Most Powerful Celebrities by Forbes magazine.

Friday, July 13, brings lifestyle gurus and authors India Hicksand Nathan Turnerwho share advice into tapping into creativity and the entrepreneurial spirit, moderated byBrittany Chevalier McIntyre ofLuxe Interiors + Design and sponsored by the magazine and Caracole. That afternoon, Grammy award-winning artist and Food Network starYearwooddiscusses a life of true southern hospitality — from the stage to the studio to the kitchen—with Robert Leleux of Southern Style Now,sponsored by IMAX.

The Shop the Showinfluencers —  Joanna Teplin and Clea Shearer of The Home Edit, Julia and Chris Marcum of Chris Loves Julia, Hommemakerfounder, interior designer and writer Orlando Soria, and Brittany Watson Jepsen of The House that Lars Built—  share what they see coming next and the inside scoop on how they have created big brands in a lively panel discussion moderated by Dennis Scully, contributing editor of sponsor Business of Home by Editor At Largeon Saturday, July 14. Later, Tom Mirabile, SVP of Global Trend and Design for Lifetime Brandsshares “Top Trends 2018: Survival and Success in the Retail Renaissance.”

The Fiesta Dinnerware Demonstration Kitchenin Building 2, Floor 8 celebrates the diverse flavors of the south with the Savor the Southseries presented by Atlanta Magazine. Chef Craig Richards of St. Ceciliaopens the series on Wednesday, July 11, with “Heirloom Tomatoes 101”followed by James Beard Award-winning Chef Steven Satterfield of Miller Unionsharing his signature panzanella. Local Three’s Chef Chris Hallshares a “Summer Party Starter”on Thursday, July 12, with Chef Megan Brent ofWhite Oak Kitchen & Cocktailstaking over the kitchen that afternoon. Chef Nick Leahy ofSaltyardteaches how to craft a simple and delicious summer cocktail perfect for the back patio in “Georgia Summertime Soirée”with tips for preparing a delightfully light lunch by Chef Ian Winslade ofMission + Marketin “Fresh, Sunny Days Ahead”on Friday, July 13. The final demo kitchen day, Saturday, July 14, opens on a sweet note with entrepreneur Gigi Butler of Gigi’s Cupcakessharing “The Secret Ingredient”followed by Dr. Seung Hee Lee, food influencer and cookbook author of “Everyday Korean,”adapting traditional Korean recipes for modern kitchens everywhere.

“Let’s Do Lunch: A Home, Gift and Design Series with Progressive Business Media” is a new business-building Lunch & Learn series in Building 1, Floor 14, taking place Tuesday, July 10 – Friday, July 13. Crystal Vilkaitis starts the series on Tuesday, July 10, with “Top Tactics for Building a Loyal Social Media Following.”Home Accents Today’s Editor-in-Chief Susan Dickensonand Assistant Editor Thomas Lesterlead a panel discussion “Stargazing: Retail’s Best & Brightest”with Ruel Joyner of 24e Design Co., Claire Bell ofClaire Bell Home, James Merida ofBountiful Interiors, Barbara Mooney ofDaisy’s, Shay Geyer ofIBB Fine Furnishingsand Michael Turner ofHuck & Peckon Wednesday, July 11. Mark Kiczalisof Progressive Business Media Strategic Insightsprovides insights into the minds of consumers and explores how retailers perceive the market in a conversation with Patti Biroof Spa Industry Associationand Tracy Bulla, senior style director at Home Accents Todayin “Exploring Retailer and Consumer Gift & Home Trends in 2018”on Thursday, July 12. Jane Dagmi, editor-in-chief of Designers Today,and Amy Flurry, author of “Recipe for Press”and “Recipe for Press: Designer Edition,”give “Straight Talk from the Editors: Navigate the World of DIY PR Like a Superstar”in the final series event on Friday, July 13.

AmericasMart LIVE kicks off with The Atlanta International Gift and Home Furnishings Market^®  on July 10, 2018. The Market runs Tuesday, July 10 – Monday, July 16, 2018(Temporaries Wednesday, July 11 – Sunday, July 15). The Atlanta International Area Rug Market^®is Wednesday, July 11 – Sunday, July 15, 2018. For more information, visit www.AmericasMart.com/July.

A full list of Market seminars and networking events follows.