Rug Show in LA Draws Top Suppliers and Buyers

Spring was in the air and gorgeous rugs were on the Show floor for the March 29-31, 2015 edition of The Rug Show in LA at the Los Angeles Convention Center. With enviable weather, unmatched hospitality and an unparalleled lineup of leading luxury area rug brands, buyers and exhibitors alike agreed that this is one rug show they want to come back to.

“It’s a fantastic venue for buyers to have everyone under one roof,” said Samad’s David Samad. “We were very satisfied with our first showing at The Rug Show in LA. We’ll definitely do it again next spring.”

Retailer Driscoll Robins of Driscoll Robins Fine Carpets in Seattle said he was pleased to see so many top suppliers so close to home. “I haven’t been to New York or Atlanta this year, so this was great for us. I even picked up a new line.”

For New Jersey-based Zollanvari, picking up three new retail customers in March made the trip across the country to LA worthwhile. “We expected it to be even better than last time and it was,” said Zollanvari’s Sanjay Purohit. “The time is right for this Show to expand. I’d like to see the industry rally behind it with more retail buyers and East Coast exhibitors attending.”

Oregon-based wholesaler James Opie agrees. “The cooperation and good vibes at this show reflect a strong effort on behalf of the show organizers to create a cheerful event that celebrates camaraderie rather than competition,” Opie said. “We thought it was a very good and constructive show and I plan to exhibit again next year.”

Retailer Stephanie Holmes of Organic Looms in Denver and Chicago, who just started buying at rug shows in the States, said she was impressed with the quality of exhibitors. “After buying direct from India, Nepal, Turkey and at Domotex, I wondered if we’d find new product or just of repeat of what we’ve seen overseas. Well, we did find new product and I ended up buying more than I thought I would.”

The spring Rug Show in LA also was a pleasant surprise for first-time exhibitor Andrea Pahl, partner in New Jersey-based Wool and Silk Rugs with Erbil Tezcan. “We went with no expectations because it was a new show for us and came home very happy. We were able to engage with new and existing customers; the venue offered great, open space; even the cocktail party was wonderful.”

Pahl added that the Show featured a manageable amount of exhibitors. “You knew if a particular buyer was coming that they would get to see you. No one got lost in the crowd. We will do this Show again next spring.”

Louis Tarantino, of to-the-trade Carpet Source of Winter Park, came all the way from Florida for his first Rug Show and said LA will be a market he’ll go to every year. “I like to attend as many trade shows as I can and think LA offers a fresh design perspective that you don’t necessarily see in other regions of the country.”

Together, the firms exhibiting at this spring’s Rug Show in LA make up the best of the best on the domestic and international stage, including many Domotex and Atlanta award-winners. Top rug styles on the Show floor included updated classic designs, provocative urban looks, artistic painterly patterns, gorgeous Modern flat weaves and so much more.

The fall event – The Rug Show @ Javits –  will be Aug. 30-Sept. 2, 2015 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. The groundbreaking, couture rug fashions there will rival any on the global stage.