LV Market Hosts Networking Event
Las Vegas Market hosted nearly 20 designers, specifiers and purchasing firms during its third annual Hospitality Link event, held March 23-25, 2016, in Las Vegas. The two-day networking and match-making event provided top executives in the hospitality industry access to more than 19 upscale showrooms across the Las Vegas Market campus.
“Las Vegas Market is proud to host another ‘added value’ program to bring expanded access and distribution to our showroom tenants who are interested in expanding into the hospitality trade,” said Lee Hershberg, Vice President of Home Decor, International Market Centers. “The hospitality business is extremely relationship-driven and this program helps our clients get a ‘foot in the door’ to help shorten the lengthy sales cycle. As the leading furniture, home decor and gift destination in the western United States, Las Vegas Market is constantly seeking new business opportunities to introduce buyers and sellers and to facilitate expansion across industries. Unlike hospitality events held elsewhere in hotels or ballrooms—where sales reps sell out of catalogs—at Las Vegas Market, suppliers were able to showcase their full product lines, and the designers and buyers had the opportunity to see, touch and feel the merchandise to get a sense of scale and texture, making the experience much more impactful.”
The Hospitality Link event, presented by International Market Centers (IMC) and Van Ess Group, brought nearly 20 active, highly qualified hospitality designers, purchasing agents, owners and operators to vendor showrooms for intimate, 20-minute meetings. Networking activities and meals were provided, giving buyers and sellers additional time to meet and socialize. Participating hospitality firms included: Bar Napkin, Berman Purchasing, Bilkey LLinas, The Carroll Adams Group, Caruso Design Group, Chambers, Clear on Black, Design Atelier, FFKR Architects, FRCH Design Worldwide, Gensler, Genterro, IDDI Florida, L2 Studios, PMA Design, Studio 11 Design, Twofold Studio, and Van Dresser.
Designers said the event introduced them to products that they normally might not see, and was a valuable use of their time. “Hospitality Link was fun, educational and profitable,” said Dina Caruso, Principal of Caruso Design Group. “I was able to talk to the right people about my project needs, see new product from both familiar and unfamiliar sources, and network all at the same time. The concept makes sense, was well organized, and was a very wise investment of my time.”
Vendors were equally enthusiastic about the event. “This is our third Hospitality Link and it was the best one yet,” said Lois Del Negro, CFO, Global Views. “We had the opportunity to network and meet with leading firms in our showroom, which you aren’t able to do at other events.” Participating showrooms included: Christopher Guy, Global Views, GO Home, Gold Leaf Design Group, Howard Elliott, Jamie Young, Kalco Lighting, Leftbank Art, Made Goods, Michael Aram, Nourison, Palecek, Phillips Collection, Prestige Arts/Art Trends, Safavieh, Stylus Made to Order Sofas, Surya, Veneman and Wendover Art Group.
Las Vegas Market is the leading furniture, home decor and gift marketplace in the western U.S., presenting 2,700+ gift, home décor and furniture resources in an unrivaled market destination. Las Vegas Market features thousands of gift, furniture and home décor lines, allowing for cross-category commerce among these industries. Summer 2016 Las Vegas Market runs July 31-August 4. For more information, visit www.lasvegasmarket.com.
