fresh YORK--The terrorist attacks that occurr upon Sept.

fresh YORK--The terrorist attacks that occurr upon Sept. 11 shocked the nation extracting a painful emotional and economic toll in succession the nation. Big businesses, already worried about a looming recession, were shaken to their cores with the deranges of the airline and tourism industries featured prominently in the news

on the contrary no one and no business has been untouched by dint of the terrible events, including the indicate industry, which the Convention Industry Council says was worth $964 million in 2000 The list of cancelled and postpon fall present to views reached triple digits affecting not alone exhibitors, retailers and their customers however carpenters, electricians, Teamsters, florists, caterers, restaurants and hotels--just a hardly any of the professionals who work and provide service for the displays And the art industry was no exception.

Reactions to Cancellations

forward Thursday, Sept. 13th, the moving exchange was backing up to the door of Wild Apple in Woodstock, Vt ready to load packed crates filled with fresh catalogs and supplies for DECOR expo--Atlanta, when the company decided to withdraw from the exhibit "We decided it was not worth it," said Charlie Kimbell, sales director. "We knew we were leaving coin on the table, but the overwhelming sentiment among our employee and customers was that we all wanted to stay stop up to home and be with our families. No united was in a buying mood" The nearest day, DECOR expo--Atlanta, scheduled for tribe 21 to 23, was cancelled.

The cancellation of DECOR expo--Atlanta has particularly shaken the art and framing industry. "DECOR Atlanta is my biggest buying trip of the year," said Fran Gray, holder of Roney's Creative Picture Framing in Florence, SC "I planned to corrupt some artwork and stock up upon moulding. I had some equipment that I was interested in buying, and level though companies are extending their display specials to us, I don't want to purchase equipment over the phone."

Gray does little buying online and said that while she will have to rely upon reps to visit her, she still be impresseds she's been handed a vast setback. "I understand and honor the decision to cancel the exhibit but it's tough for my business. I be wrought up like we've lost a year."

The impact of a cancelled exhibit can be severe. The Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR) in their 2000 reports fix that exhibitions are used more in the selling proces (90 percent) than any other marketing technique. Smaller companies, it was plant rely on exhibitions for their exceedingly survival; without them, they cannot swell and some may not uniform survive. Another report found the majority of attendees attend and nothing else one exhibition a year.

The decision to cancel a present to view hits cities and supporting businesses extremely For example, in New York there are 68 art, antique, design, work and craft shows held between September and June Overall, the point outs produce in excess of $100 million a year for the city and state economy. each dollar that is spent upon the shows multiplies to the equivalent of three or four dollars within novel York City's economy.

The decision to cancel DECOR expo--Atlanta, made up of 642 exhibitors, was difficult for everyone involved, however given the size and end of the show, it has been-deemed a smart determine and fully supported by most

"I don't think anybody's heart was in it," said Dave Rosner vice president of marketing for Framerica in Bohemia, NY "It was the no other than decision that could have been made. I understand clan are disappointed, but the gut-wrenching fact is [the tragedy of race 11] is bigger than business. Maybe we are more sensitive because we are a modern York company, but people straited to be home with their families."

That population were staying home was no just discovereds to Loretta Reinick, vice president of marketing and sales for 1451 Museum Editions and the Vatican Library Collection of Irvine, Calif. Reinick traveled to Atlanta across the cancelled show dates because she had business appointments to preserve Reinick found Atlanta to be a "ghost town." She walked by the agency of the 16 floors of the Merchandise Mart and place only about one out of each 20 stores open. "In the brace days I was walking the Mart, I probably saw six other tribe total on all 16 floors," she said. "It was surreal. The inn was quiet, the streets were quiet. The city was dead."

Reinick felt the decision to cancel the point out was necessary. "I don't think buyer would have employed out at all."

Exhibitors forfeited more than the opportunity to make sales and recently made known contacts and enjoy camaraderie with their equals in the business. They paid a pay to exhibit at the display along with the substantial transportation expenses to bring their products to the point out site. Compensation for the exhibitors remains uncertain on the contrary will be based on the claim that DECOR files with their insurance company. appropriate to the amount of insurance claims being filed, Pfingston Publishing, DECORs parent company is unsure when these claims will be actioned In a letter to attendees, exhibitors and vendors dated Oct 6 Vice President of Expositions Eric Smith detailed a plan to tender those affected by the cancellation credit for DECOR expo's 2002 shows