A Letter from the President
Support Typhoon Haiyan Relief Efforts in the Philippines
In the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan, our thoughts and prayers go out to the countless victims that are recovering in the path of destruction. Reports of nearly 13 million people affected by the superstorm are desperately in need of food, water, shelter and medical attention. This is not someone else’s problem. Each one of us has a responsibility to humanity, whether it is in our own back yard or thousands of miles away.
Volunteers are reporting significant damage and the extent is still unknown. We all must do what we can to help provide supplies and deploy specialists not only to the heart of the damage but to all who have witnessed the first hand devastation.
It is with heartfelt sincerity that we ask you to join us in supporting relief efforts by providing a monetary donation in any amount that you choose. We have committed to match 100% of your donations.
Al Bulak
President, IMAX Corporation
American Red Cross Fundraiser Mermaid Winners
The generosity and compassion of our customers made a “Splash” this winter market season with our American Red Cross fundraiser for Hurricane Sandy relief. Donations – which were matched by IMAX – were collected in return for the chance to win one of two original mermaid sculptures made by Oklahoma artist, Colleen Stiles.
Tami Durkee of The Pear Tree in Cocoa Village, Florida made a generous donation and was thrilled to win the January 15th drawing in Atlanta for the mermaid “Sirene”.
The Pear Tree considers itself a unique shopping experience with a coastal flair. Unique Gifts & Home Accessories is the tag line, and it’s really an eclectic selection of both. Originally opened in the 1980s, this March will mark Tami’s 10th anniversary as proprietor. During this time, Tami expanded the store, doubling the physical size, and greatly expanded the style and selection of gifts and home décor. Soon “Sirene” will join the store, and they already think of her as their mascot. Her colors and whimsical design will fit right in!
Living in Florida, the Durkees are all too familiar with the effects of hurricanes! “We have lived without power due to hurricanes. 
We have family members who lost their homes in Andrew. Watching as Sandy came ashore we worried for our friends and vendors in New Jersey amd New York,” said John Durkee. “So when [our salesperson] asked for a donation and said that IMAX was matching it, Tami and I were very happy to contribute.” Just days after Sandy hit, the fishing club to which John Durkee belongs collected numerous supplies, loaded a truck and trailer, and drove them to folks in NJ. Lots of canned food – and manual can openers – lots of blankets and clothing, plus hundreds of gallons of fresh water were distributed to those affected by the storm.
Shannon Turner of Girard Ave Collection in LaJolla, California won the January 31st drawing for the mermaid, “Korrigan”, in Las Vegas. Shannon is eager to continue the fundraising effort at her own store once “Korrigan” comes home.
Girard Ave Collection is a collective of unique home accessories – antique, vintage, some funk, some new – a great mix of everything for the home and garden. LaJolla is a beach town, and so “Korrigan” should feel right at home.
Thank you to all of our customers and friends who have contributed to help the American Red Cross raise funds for the ongoing Hurricane Sandy relief efforts.
IMAX Wall Décor featured in Home Accents Today
Home Accents Today wrote a great article in their February issue that featured interviews with our buyers that gives you an inside look at how we select our wall décor. Here’s the full article:
IMAX Wall Décor Captures New Level of Sophistication and Quality
The team at IMAX Worldwide Home has sought to take the entire line to a new level of sophistication in 2013, incorporating high-end design and exceptional quality into every product it sells. Considering wall décor an important form of personal expression – and one of the company’s top selling categories – IMAX is moving in a number of exciting directions this year, including an expanded presence in mirrors, a greater emphasis on transitional designs and more attention to unique materials and superior construction.
Read More »
Making a bigger “Splash” with IMAX!
First of all, I would like to personally congratulate the winner of our drawing for the mermaid, “Siréne”, held in Atlanta on the 15th. Tami Durkee of The Pear Tree in Cocoa Village, Florida made a generous donation and was rewarded by getting to take the mermaid home this spring! Thank you to all of our customers and friends who contributed to help the American Red Cross raise funds for the ongoing Hurricane Sandy relief efforts.
You Can Still Help:
If you did not win the first drawing, don’t worry – you can still help! We will be collecting donations through the end of the Las Vegas market (February 1st) for a chance to win the second original mermaid sculpture, “Korrigan”, by yours truly. I have been working at record pace to complete a second sculpture in time for market, and guess what? She’s finished. This piece is very different from the first, and I must say that I think you will love her. She is seated on a table, but can be removed to sit on a countertop or other surface, so she is more versatile to display. Her shimmery painted scales are decorated with intricate drawings remeniscent of henna tattoos
, and she leans back, holding a glass orb in her outstretched hand. Very ethereal, in a watery kind of way!
The Vision:
We are continuing to partner with the Red Cross in their Hurricane Sandy relief efforts. For every $20 donated, you will receive a chance to win this beautiful original life-sized mermaid sculpture, and IMAX will contribute matching donations. Join us in continuing the support needed by our friends and neighbors affected by the storm.
I hope that if you make it to Las Vegas you will come and see the mermaid. You will find “Korrigan” in our showroom window display, World Market Center A429.
Donate Online: Donate online at www.imaxcorp.com/mermaid/
Donate in the Las Vegas Showroom: Donations are being collected in Las Vegas – World Market Center A429.
The Making of “Siréne” the Mermaid (Update: Winner Announced)
Update: We have a winner! The Tami Durkee with The Pear Tree located in Cocoa Village, Florida!
The Backstory:
A few months ago my creative director came into my office and said, “Just wanted to warn you that you may be asked to make a mermaid.” Not a typical conversation around the IMAX office, but in my off hours I create figurative sculptures which 
I exhibit and sell through galleries and artist representatives. So, while it may not have been a “normal” thing to hear around the office, it wasn’t completely out of thin air.
One of our new trends for the January market season is called Splash, and our international buyer, had the idea of creating a life-sized mermaid for our Atlanta window display… She had me at “life-sized”. I quickly agreed to the project, started planning, and from there the project blossomed into two mermaids – one for Atlanta and one for Las Vegas.
The Process:
My sculptures are made from body casts. I use plaster gauze – the same material the doctor used on you when you broke your arm as a kid – to create the form of the figure. The form is filled with expanding foam, creating a lightweight, but solid core. I then add on to the piece using a variety of mediums, such as textiles, driftwood, bones, sawdust, earth and paint, giving each piece a unique identity.
Over the summer we created the graphic direction for marketing the Splash trend. It is a very bright and enthusiastic design, illustrated with zen doodle style fish, starfish, sand dollars, and, of course, a mermaid tail! So the mermaids were the perfect unique way to highlight the theme. I am hopeful that all of the January market attendees will take the time to go and see my creations!
The Vision:
The first mermaid (for Atlanta) is complete now, and I am working on the Las Vegas piece. The biggest question I had when I took on this project was, what will happen to the pieces after market is over? Well, Hurricane Sandy gave us an answer. We decided to partner with the Red Cross in their Hurricane Sandy relief efforts. For every $20 donated, you will receive a chance to win this stunning original life-sized 
mermaid sculpture, and IMAX will contribute matching donations. This is such an exciting effort for us here at IMAX, as we all know people who were affected by the storm.
I hope that if you make it to Atlanta or Las Vegas you will come and see the mermaids. You will find the Atlanta mermaid in our window display on the 11th floor of the Atlanta Gift Mart, Building 2.
Donate Online: Donate online at www.imaxcorp.com/mermaid/
Donate in the Atlanta and Las Vegas Showrooms: Donations are being collected in the Atlanta - AGM Building 2, Suite 1100 and Las Vegas - World Market Center A429.
IMAX Launches Essentials By Connie™
New Color-Driven Merchandising Concept Set to Debut at Winter Markets
We’re unveiling a new concept at the winter markets designed to excite consumers with powerful punches of vibrant, livable color and translate to bigger tickets for retailers.
Essentials by Connie™ is the second major merchandising concept we’ve has launched with leading retail strategist Connie Post. The first, ColorPOST by Connie, incorporated a selection of IMAX products divided by color story into a series of decorative accessory pods. Merchandised on flexible, movable display units, the pods were created to simplify the buying process for consumers and to make updating store floors quick and easy for retailers. According to Al Bulak, IMAX President, the concept was a hit at retail and dealers are clamoring for the next phase.
Read More »
Rep of the Month: Michelle Korthuis with Elements In Décor
Michelle Korthuis
IMAX is lucky to have a rep force full of energetic and interesting people. It’s true! Each rep has their own story to tell of what makes them who they are. To help you get to know our sales team a little better, we decided to feature a rep each month right here on our blog.
We would like to introduce you to Michelle Korthuis, our October rep of the month!
We’ve asked Michelle a few questions, and posted her answers below. After you get to know her, if you like Michelle as much as we do (and we know you will), be sure to say “hi” in the comments section below the post.
New ColorPOST with Connie Collections to Debut at High Point!
We are updating our popular ColorPOST with Connie™ concept at the October High Point market. This successful program now merges two trend-forward colors into one dynamic presentation for each collection, and the collections have been streamlined into a smaller commitment for the retailer.
The updated program is price sensitive on individual components and all elements of a collection work together to decorate a room perfectly. Essentially, “what you see is what you get” – all minimum quantities are shown on the individual pods. Each pod has been merchandised to hit a strategic price point of around $1000.
Read More »
Adalina Recycled Silk Arm Chair
Have you had a chance to browse our furniture line? We think you’ll like what you see! Just in case you missed the news, IMAX was recently nominated for an Accessories Resource Team ARTS award in the accent furniture category. We have lots of great furniture pieces that are sure to go over great with your customers! In fact, check out our Adalina Recycled Silk Arm Chair, one of our favorites:
Adalina Recycled Silk Arm Chair
Adalina Recycled Silk Arm Chair
Silk fabric remnants are dyed, torn into strips then hand knotted to create the fibers for the Adalina recycled silk arm chair. Each strip is then weaved by hand to create the fabric for this one of a kind conversation piece. IMAX exclusive!
Adalina Recycled Silk Arm Chair: http://www.imaxcorp.store/products.php?prod=70800
Browse our furniture category: http://www.imaxcorp.store/products.php?cat=furniture
IMAX Expands Las Vegas Showroom
We are pleased to announce a major expansion in our showroom presence in Las Vegas for the upcoming Las Vegas Gift & Home Market, July 30 – August 3, 2012. We will be expanding our existing space in Building A, Showroom 429. A ribbon cutting will be held Tuesday, July 31 at 9:15 a.m.
The expanded showroom will provide us with approximately twice as much square footage at the market, allowing room for to feature all of the items from our best-selling lines as well as hundreds of new products.
Vice President of Sales Rex Yoakley said that IMAX had customers in mind when we made the decision to expand. “We have had overwhelming response to our line in Las Vegas and the continued increase in traffic led us to adding the extra space in order to better serve our customers – both new and existing.”
