High Expectations For Vegas Market
Las Vegas Market announced that strong and sustained leasing gains, increases in buyer pre- registrations, product introductions and industry-leading programming are heightening expectations for the Winter 2018 Las Vegas Market, which runs January 28 to February 1, 2018.
“Las Vegas Market momentum shows no signs of slowing and overall exhibitor participation is at an all-time high,” said Robert Maricich, chief executive officer of International Market Centers. “This winter we welcome 79 new and expanding showrooms – totaling more than 469,000 square feet of exhibit space – and we have opened a third pavilion to accommodate expanded gift and home décor temporary exhibits. This vigorous activity is not only an indication of overall industry optimism but also a reflection of Las Vegas Market’s proven ability to deliver an unparalleled market experience.”
The Market will present a record 4,300+ furniture, home décor and gift resources for buyers and designers. Resource growth has been strong across all three of Las Vegas Market’s core product categories —furniture, home décor and gift – resulting in increased breadth and depth of product offerings at Winter Market.
In total, 42 new and expanding furniture showrooms are opening this winter, bringing Las Vegas Market’s total furniture resources to 2000, and there also has been significant growth in bedding, with 220 resources to be featured at the Winter Market. Category Highlights include recent newcomers Amalfi Home Furniture (leather, upholstery) in 8,998 square feet on A8, Flores Design (upholstery) in 2,507 square feet on B12 and Restonic (bedding) in 14,115 square feet on A8. Other highlights include previously announced major expansions by Furniture of America, Cheers/Manwah (USA), England Inc. and La-Z-Boy; and debuts by Bernards Furniture Group and Bauhaus Furniture Group. Las Vegas Market also continues to expand its casual and outdoor offerings, and many leading suppliers are shifting their production cycles to debut new products at Winter Market.
Las Vegas Market now features roughly 2,300 gift and home décor lines complementing the Market’s 2000+ furniture lines. Some 13 new and expanded home décor showrooms will debut this winter, including the most recent newcomer Badgley Mischka Home (home furnishings) in 2,000 square feet on C5. Other previously announced debuts include A. Sanoma, Akara Rugs, Bashian, Casamotion Glass & Lighting, Crown Linen Designs, Unbelievable Mats and Worldwide Lighting Corporation,
The gift category continues its strong growth trajectory, with 24 new gift and home décor showrooms opening in January, including the newly confirmed elizabethW (gifts, fragrance) in 565 square feet on C1. The Market has experienced particular growth in the gourmet category, which this Winter reached all-time-high of 650 gift-oriented housewares, tabletop and specialty food resources in both permanent showrooms and temporary exhibit space. Notable gourmet category newcomers include Capabunga, Mariposa, Oggi, Sophistiplate and Wusthof.
Las Vegas Market continues to experience exceptionally high levels of demand for temporary exhibition space and Winter Market will showcase a combined total of 700+ gift, home décor, furniture and casual exhibitors in five locations. The sold-out home furnishings temporary exhibits are on B2; and casual and outdoor temporary exhibits on C13. Most notably, some 500+ gift and home décor temporary exhibits, of which nearly 200 are new to Las Vegas Market, will be presented in three Pavilions this Winter.
Pavilion 1 will feature GIFT and HANDMADE and the new DESIGN LIFESTYLE categories, along with special presentations by Aid to Artisans and Artisanal LA. Pavilion 2 will feature HOME, the new DESIGN HOME and the newly-segmented DISCOVERIES: Antiquities categories, and the debut of Artexpo Las Vegas, a national showcase featuring hundreds of fine artists, sculpture, prints, wall art and one-of-a-kind artworks. The newly-opened Pavilion 3 will feature DISCOVERIES: Vintage, Global, Cash & Carry categories.
In addition to overall pre-registrations in all buyer categories pacing ahead of previous Markets, Las Vegas Market also has forged partnerships with a record 40 industry associations and retail buying groups for Winter Market programming, tours, education, networking events and other membership activities. Highlights include the new “Play & Preview 2018 Games” by the Good Toy Group; activities for the PLATIN- Latin American Alliance; and a Non-Profit Retail Networking Reception in collaboration with Association for Healthcare Volunteer Resources Professionals (AHVRP), Museum Store Association (MSA) and Zoo & Aquarium Buyers Group (ZAG); and the annual members-only FMG Symposium.
For Winter Market, Las Vegas Market is offering 40+ special events, awards programs, seminars and guided tours of the market with top designers and industry influencers. Special event highlights include the presentation of the 2018 Design Icon honor to internationally-acclaimed architect and Pritzker Prize recipient Frank Gehry, the Housewares Design Awards Celebration and the 2018 WOW Awards Dinner by WithIt. Education includes a strong series of original programming that will appeal to designers, buyers, retailers and architects – offering networking, industry insights and free CEU credits. Seminar highlights include the 14th edition of Las Vegas Market’s proprietary FIRST LOOK trend display and seminar; and a “Best of the West in Life & Style” panel presentation. (NOTE: A full schedule is available at www.lasvegasmarket.com/seminars-and-events.)
Las Vegas Market hosts buyer amenities throughout the Market campus, including Internet lounges, an international lounge, “grab-and-go” breakfasts, complimentary afternoon bars, evening Courtyard Receptions in the Grand Plaza; and nightly entertainment and after-parties at various nightclubs. Las Vegas Market also offers a campus shuttle and complimentary shuttle to/from host hotels; paid onsite valet parking; buyers’ lounges; mother’s lounges; and convenient cafés and food kiosks.
