AIS to Bid a Fond Farewell to the Tenth Floor, Begins Preparations for New Showroom and Midwest Hub
LEOMINSTER, MA | In a strategic decision, underscoring its dedication to dealers and its commitment to the Merchandise Mart, AIS is pleased to announce that it will move its showroom space from the tenth to the third floor of THE MART, the iconic commercial building long-known for showcasing interior design and products. The current showroom will close on Wednesday, November 1, 2023 and the new space will open June 10, 2024.
AIS has been in its tenth-floor location since 2006 and hosted thousands of visitors over the years. The corner showroom featured the ever-growing line of commercial furniture and unique finishes that AIS launched year after year as the company and the brand grew larger, proving to dealers they can outfit virtually any office environment.
Slated to open its doors as NeoCon 2024 commences, the new AIS showroom is nearly 10,000 square feet of prime space on THE MART’s high energy third floor. It’s the ideal location to create uniquely branded customer experiences, highlighting the company’s broad product portfolio and extensive surface materials.
The new showroom will serve as a diverse workspace for the local sales team and area dealers. This Midwest hub will also be a venue for hosted social events, educational activities including training, CEUs, and interactive customer visits.
“The advantages of having so many manufacturers within The MART are enormous,” stated Nick Haritos, President and CEO. “When dealers, architects, interior designers, facility managers, and other customers can gather in one location to visit dozens of beautiful showrooms and make project decisions, it’s the place you want to be. We’re committed to THE MART and the NeoCon show – and excited to be a primary stop on the third floor.”
With AIS’ focus on its dealers and the evolving office landscape, attention will be given to showcasing many agile work environments and its extensive versatility of products. “Along with a focus on employee well-being through design elements that emphasize ergonomics and aesthetics, the new showroom will demonstrate the many ways AIS helps customers create a wide range of spaces to support their goals,” continued Haritos.
The new AIS showroom will continue to ignite ideas and create dialogue with dealers, designers, and customers as AIS partners to explore new ways of working and using products and space. These conversations help to inform the AIS design team who are continually innovating and exploring new uses for products and materials.
According to Doug Bowen, the company’s senior vice president of sales [for the Central & Western United States], “Our teams listen carefully to our dealers and designers who help to inform us about what end users want and many of these conversations take place in our showrooms. The new location will be an easy stop – and the redesign will provide even more inspiring options.”
The showroom move includes partnerships with trusted collaborators: THE MART, its trademark show – NeoCon, Fitzgerald Architecture | Planning | Design the Chicago-based and award-winning, nationally known architectural and design firm, and the creative branding firm, Mr&Mrs, out of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Fitzgerald has a long-standing familiarity with THE MART and the collaboration with AIS will result in a powerful, branded showroom experience for visitors.
“Our team couldn’t be more enthused to be working with AIS. The company’s impressive growth and evolving brand continues to strengthen their position within the industry. This exciting project promises to creatively challenge all of us as we plan for a NeoCon 2024 opening,” remarked Daniela Fitzgerald, principal at Fitzgerald Architecture Planning Design.
THE MART remains the largest and most important center for design in North America, with more than 250 premier showrooms offering the latest resources for commercial markets. THE MART’s recent investment to update the building with many convenient and beautiful amenities will benefit the company’s local teams, those traveling from out of the area, and visiting guests for whom AIS strives to deliver a meaningful and memorable experience.
The NeoCon tradeshow has proven its value over the past 50+ years by providing a venue in which to unveil new products, share prototypes for feedback and market reaction, demonstrate solutions for commercial interiors projects, connect our teams with longtime partners, and introduce AIS to new customers.
“THE MART and the NeoCon show are industry beacons of which we are proud. Vornado continues to invest in both as we know the important role they play and it’s evident as our tenant base with commercial and residential design partners is growing. We’re pleased to support the AIS move from the tenth to the third floor and look forward to experiencing their new space opening in June 2024,” stated Byron Morton, vice president and co-head of leasing for THE MART.
All are invited to visit the new AIS showroom when it opens for NeoCon 2024 to celebrate the new space, new products, and immersive experience.