First Shopping Festival in U.S. Scheduled for Chicago's Magnificent Mile

The USA's first shopping festival is being launched this summer by The Greater North Michigan Avenue Association (GNMAA), the same organization that produces The Magnificent Mile Lights Festival® presented by Harris. That single day event attracts over one million visitors to The Magnificent Mile® district annually the weekend before Thanksgiving. In-Fashion: The Magnificent Mile Shopping Festival™ begins on Friday, August 26th with an interactive celebrity event featuring renowned stylist and television star, Carson Kressley, whose current projects include hosting the new make-over show Carson-Nation and co-hosting Your OWN Show: Oprah's Search for the Next TV Star for Oprah Winfrey's new OWN Network.

The large-scale celebration expects to include designer appearances, celebrity chef events, trunk shows, entertainment and more, concluding on September 8 with Chicago's version of Fashion's Night Out.

“The GNMAA has a great track record of identifying slow traffic times of the year and building events that positively impact business during those periods,” said John Chikow, CEO and president of the non-profit business association with nearly 700 members.

Chaired by Carrie Lannon, national director of public relations for ULTA and vice-chaired by Erica Strama, senior marketing manager for Macerich's The Shops at North Bridge, the event's committee roster also represents the top executives from The Magnificent Mile district's fashion, retail, and hospitality arenas.

“This event will solidify The Magnificent Mile as a destination of choice in the minds of both leisure and business consumers,” said Lannon. “The retail community has especially rallied around this event where the best of fall and winter trends can be showcased, and shoppers can get early access to great new styles, gadgets, and experiences,” she added.

As the first shopping festival of its kind in the United States, In-Fashion: The Magnificent Mile Shopping Festival takes the best of the shopping festivals that occur in international cities including Dubai, Singapore, Cannes and more. The event invites consumers to shop, dine, explore and stay for a schedule of special events and promotions. A raffle designed to reward visitors includes luxury prizes including a 5-night stay at the Fairmont Chicago Millennium Park valued at $20,000.

In-Fashion reinforces The Magnificent Mile's reputation as a shopping mecca with large-scale celebrations and district-wide, in-store promotions. The event cuts across five primary categories of fashion and beauty, lifestyle, culinary, technology and culture. In-Fashion: The Magnificent Mile Shopping Festival will create excitement and motivate visitors as it brings together a roster of too-good-to-resist incentives and experiences.

Grant DePorter, chairman of the board for GNMAA and CEO for Harry Caray's Restaurant Group explained that the annual nature of this event will allow GNMAA to strategically partner with international tour operators and audiences to build the international traveling audience as the event grows.

“This event's timing is perfect for local and international visitors alike,” said DePorter. “The convention business is light, hotels have occupancy to fill and many children are off to school by the end of this festival, so parents can take a break, pamper themselves, renew and refresh. Add to that the fantastic weather and gorgeous gardens, this is a great time to show off The Magnificent Mile at its best,” he added.

Key events are being committed to by major players in the retail arena including ULTA, The Shops at North Bridge, 900 North Michigan Shops, Water Tower Place, Macy's, Bloomingdale's, American Girl Place, and others planning exclusive activities. Several other businesses including hotels, restaurants, cultural institutions including Broadway in Chicago Playhouse and other destinations will be presenting enticing offers, special events and celebrations that make this an must-attend event.

The Magnificent Mile® is Chicago's premier destination, offering over 3.3 million square feet of retail space, 460 stores, 275 restaurants, 23,000 hotel rooms in 54 hotels, five unique museums and entertaining attractions to more than 18 million visitors each year. The Magnificent Mile district features world renowned shopping, dining and hotel accommodations, seasonal event campaigns and exceptional urban landscaping with more than 52 unique parkway gardens that reflect the changing seasons and complement the unique architectural beauty of Chicago. As One of The Great Avenues of the World, The Magnificent Mile generates $1.9 billion in annual retail activity alone. For more information, visit www.themagnificentmile.com.