NY shows to proceed as planned

Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 9/17/2001 12:00:00 AM

New York — The fall New York Home Textiles Market will go forward on schedule next month.

That's the word from the Home Fashions Products Association, whose president noted that canceling or postponing the show, scheduled for Oct. 12-19, would play into the hands of the terrorists who hoped to disrupt American business with the Sept. 11 attacks on New York and Washington, D.C.

"Our president, our governor and our mayor have asked everybody to get back to work," said Park Smith, HFPA president and chairman of Park B. Smith. "I can't believe that anyone would even consider [delaying the market]."

The New York Home Textiles Show, held at the Jacob Javits Center here, also will come off according to plan, from Oct. 12-15.

"Many of our exhibitors and attendees have inquired about our plans. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and rescue workers involved in this terrible tragedy," said Penny Sikalis, GLM vice president and group manager. "However, we have decided to heed President Bush's and New York City Mayor Guiliani's directive to move forward and to continue with business as usual. As the Javits Center was unaffected by the damage to the buildings in lower Manhattan, our efforts in the coming weeks will continue to focus on bringing a solid group of attendees to the shows, and delivering a strong market to participants."