IMC Breaks Ground On New Exhibition Facility
International Market Centers (IMC), owners and operators of World Market Center Las Vegas, have broken ground on construction of The Expo at World Market Center Las Vegas, a new 315,000-square-foot exhibition facility, scheduled to open in summer 2020 on the World Market Center Las Vegas campus. The new Expo at World Market Center Las Vegas will feature 194,785 gross square feet of exhibit space, which is divisible into two halls – North with 97,684 gross square feet and South with 97,101 gross square feet – which can accommodate up to 1,000 booths. The Expo at World Market Center Las Vegas will feature an expansive lobby area, registration area, onsite shuttle bus depot, attached parking garage and two permanent “grab and go” food service areas. “IMC is making a $90 Million investment in the creation of The Expo at World Market Center Las Vegas, a new state-of-the-art, purpose-built facility,” said Robert Maricich, CEO of IMC. “We’re delighted to cooperate with the city of Las Vegas and the state of Nevada to bring this new exhibition venue to Las Vegas. Our use of local labor, at ‘prevailing wage rates’ will make this project a win-win for the exhibition industry and the city of Las Vegas.” Construction is scheduled to begin fully in April and the grand opening is expected for IMC’s Summer 2020 Las Vegas Market, a semi-annual marketplace for the gift and home furnishings industries. “According to the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority (LVCVA) in 2017, the exposition industry generated $58.8 billion in economic benefit to Southern Nevada,” said Mayor Carolyn Goodman. “With the addition of this new facility, Las Vegas now offers the exhibition industry a total of 4,214,047 gross square feet of exhibit hall space at four facilities – the Las Vegas Convention Center, Sands Expo, Mandalay Bay and The Expo at World Market Center Las Vegas.” The Expo at Las Vegas Market will be the new permanent venue for presentation of temporary gift and home décor exhibits at IMC’s semi-annual Las Vegas Market, which showcases 4,000+ gift, home décor and furniture resources in five million square feet of permanent showrooms and temporary exhibition space. During the Las Vegas Market, IMC plans to use the lobby of the Expo at World Market Center Las Vegas for attendee and exhibitor registration, making the new facility the gateway to its entire marketplace. The Expo’s contiguous positioning with Building C also will improve attendee traffic flow between Las Vegas Market’s permanent showrooms and temporary exhibits, which IMC expects will drive new resources to campus and enrich the pipeline for permanent showroom presentations. Outside of the January and July Las Vegas...
Book The Block Promotion Returns To Vegas Market
Las Vegas Market announced the return of its popular “Book the Block” hotel promotion for 2019 Winter Market, running Jan. 27 to Jan. 31, 2019. The Las Vegas Market-sponsored promotion offers buyers and suppliers who book through Connections Housing (Las Vegas Market’s official housing partner) a chance to win free hotel stays and upgrades as well as special guest amenities at a variety of hotels in Las Vegas. “Las Vegas Market and Connections Housing are once again teaming up to offer Market-goers exclusive VIP hotel pricing and the opportunity to win special prizes through our popular ‘Book the Block’ promotion,” said Karen Olson, senior vice president of marketing for International Market Centers. “Las Vegas is one of the most exciting and affordable cities in the country, and this partnership makes it an even more desirable destination for buyers and suppliers.” The grand prize in the 2019 Winter Market “Book the Block” promotion is a complimentary hotel stay during both the Winter 2019 and Summer 2019 Markets, plus complimentary airfare for two for Summer Market. Other prizes include: complimentary hotel rooms for up to five nights during Market; upgraded room or suite for up to five nights during Market; dinner for two at a Market hotel restaurant and show tickets for two at a Market hotel. “Book The Block” winners for 2019 will be drawn close to Market and at random. All reservations must be made through Connections Housing and be part of a Market block to be entered in the promotion. Guests must utilize booked reservations to qualify to win. Special offers have no cash value and are non-transferrable; and restrictions apply. Twenty-nine “Book the Block” winners were drawn for 2018 Summer Market with James Wenger of Wenger Furniture taking home the grand prize, a complimentary Petite Suite at Treasure Island and roundtrip airfare for two for Summer 2018 Market as well as a complimentary room for the Winter 2019 Market. Free hotel stays were awarded to Annie Beasley of Worlds Fare; Danielle Laurent of Sage Bush Traders LLC; Dean Tutor of Indigo Highway; Dianne Rumble of La Belle Maison; Holly Hopper of Black Rabbit Trading Company; Jean Beckman of Our Special Tea; Jennifer Blanchard of Willow Tree Florist; Kevin Bedel of Abad Foam INC; Randy Brooks of Brooks Resources. Hotel suite upgrades were awarded to Allan Carter of Myran Allan Luxury Lighting; Amy Wiedmaier of Mosaic Life Care; Cathy Hohn of Intermountain Healthcare; Cindy Brady of Finishing Touches Boutique; George Barsamian of Pioneer Drug; James Fresch of Freudenberg Performance Materials; Jeff Sather of Mode Transportation; Jenny Holmquist of Random Boutique; John Yona of Zen Teak Imports; Kirsten Recee of Black...
IMC Names Muna To GM Position
International Market Centers has named Jennifer Muna, CEM, as the General Manager of Tradeshows. In the newly created position, Muna will be responsible for the overall management, business activities, strategies, leadership, oversight and overall direction for Event Management, Exhibitor Services, Guest Services, and Contract Partners for the new World Market Exposition Center. Muna’s previous experience includes sales and operations positions with The Venetian | The Palazzo | Sands Expo Center as well as Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas. Most recently, she was the Director of Venues & Housing for UBM Americas, LLC, one of the largest event organizers in the United States. She has a degree in business administration and management and will report to Brian Archer, Chief Accounting Officer, in Las Vegas. “We’re pleased to welcome Jennifer to the IMC team in a role that functions as the ambassador of all World Market Exposition Center events and services,” said Archer. “With her extensive industry experience, I’m confident Jennifer will optimize this state-of-the-art facility through her robust programming of exceptional events that will undoubtedly create memorable attendee experiences.” Earlier this year, International Market Centers announced that it will build a new Exposition Center on its World Market Center campus in Las Vegas. The proposed Exposition Center would be available for year-round use, driving revenue increases in lodging, gaming and entertainment in the downtown Las Vegas area. The project is expected to be completed by Summer 2020. “IMC is a dynamic, growing company, and I look forward to working with team members and partners to build on our world-class offering,” Muna said. “This is an exciting time for International Market Centers and there are incredible opportunities ahead.” Muna may be reached at (702) 599-3034 or via email at...
IMC-AmericasMart Merger Finalized
International Market Centers (“IMC”) announced the completion of the acquisition of AmericasMart Atlanta. The merger of the two best-in-class B2B showroom operators creates the world’s largest permanent mart for the furniture, gift, home décor, rug, and apparel industries. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The combined corporate entity, which will operate under the name “International Market Centers,” now owns and operates nearly 20 million square feet of permanent showroom space in Las Vegas (NV), High Point (NC), and Atlanta (GA). The individual Markets and their respective venues will continue to operate under their existing names and branding. “With this transaction complete, we have begun the process of bringing together best practices, technology, and personnel from both organizations,” said Robert Maricich, Chief Executive Officer of International Market Centers. “Between now and year-end, we will diligently be working on the strategic blueprint for the next phase of our shared growth and value creation.” IMC has contracted with leading consultancy, Bain & Company to work through the integration and blueprint process. Blackstone Real Estate Partners and Blackstone Tactical Opportunities (Blackstone; NYSE: BX) acquired International Market Centers in 2017 in partnership with Fireside Investments. “We are excited to be part of the next stage of growth for IMC and AmericasMart,” said Tyler Henritze, Senior Managing Director and Head of US Real Estate Acquisitions at Blackstone. “This investment further demonstrates our long-term commitment to IMC’s B2B business platform for the home, gift and now apparel industries.” In addition to this most recent investment, IMC recently announced plans to construct a new 300,000 sf tradeshow and EXPO center on its World Market Center campus in Las Vegas, built a new 20,000 sq. ft. showroom building in downtown High Point, acquired an existing showroom building in High Point, and launched a new digital platform to support its existing market business and drive year-round lead generation for its customers. “Our goal at IMC has always been to provide the most efficient, effective and compelling business platforms to bring buyers and sellers together,” Maricich said. “In every industry we serve, the IMC team is dedicated to creating value and growth opportunities for our partners through world-class customer service, amenities and technology advancements, and we remain steadfast to that...
Advertisement
