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The new LEED-certified McCormick Place West building was home to Globalshop, the venue's first trade show, from March 18 to 20. Globalshop, which is sponsored by the Association of Retail Environments, Point of Purchase Advertising International, the National Association of Display Industries, and the National Association of Retail Marketing Services, featured more than 700 booths, bringing together retail designers, builders, marketers, brand managers, and merchandising professionals to show off their new products and offerings. With such an emphasis on attractive design and marketing, exhibitors used contemporary furnishings, glitzy displays, and enticing treats to persuade guests to stop and stay a while.Globalshop included several areas of interest: the New Product Pavilion, the idX Green Product Challenge Showcase, and six distinct display areas set up throughout McCormick Place West's 460,000 square feet of exhibition space. The show also made good use of the facility's ballroom, with networking events and award ceremonies taking place both nights.

Popular stops included an interactive robot that spoke directly to startled guests in the sprawling idX exhibition area, as well as the sleek lounge setting at the Sparks Custom Retail booth, where tired showgoers could relax on white sofas amid variegated lighting and plexiglass bins holding red apples (complete with Sparks logo). Globalshop also partnered with Macy's for Floranova, the store's annual flower show. Several show exhibitors created floral-themed designs especially for the event, which took place in the State Street store from March 13 to 31.