The Las Vegas Market ... Were You There?
|
 Opening day of the Summer Las Vegas Market noted attendance records up 35% over January 2008, making it the largest opening day in Market’s recent history.
|
The Summer Las Vegas Market, held July 28-August 1, lived up to its promise ... it changed everything. From record-setting opening day attendance figures to the highly anticipated grand opening of Building C to a rock-out concert by Rod Stewart, Market Days were packed with energy and a welcomed respite from economic uncertainties and doubts.
“The greatest time to make advances are in tough times,” Robert Maricich, World Market Center Las Vegas’ President and Chief Executive Officer told HomeFashion. “People are looking to be energized. This Market is a celebration of optimism.”
World Market Center officials noted that the July Market welcomed 320 new exhibitors, 70 rug manufacturers, 1,200 providers of furniture, case goods and upholstery, 125 lighting companies, 250 accessory, home decor and gift manufacturers, and “the entire mattress and bedding industry.” Market also welcomed a stream of high-end exhibitors including Revco, Kreiss, Excelsior/Nicole Miller Collection, Marta Mikey and Lexington Home Brands.
Rod Stewart performed to a standing-room-only crowd as part of Market’s opening day festivities.
Monday, opening day, bustled with attendance up 35 percent over January 2008 and 21 percent over July 2007. The day was also marked by a flurry of ribbon cuttings as manufacturers welcomed Market attendees into stunning showroom spaces. Ribbon-cutters included Abbyson Living, Groovystuff, Couristan, Franz Collection and Artisan House.
|
World Market Center officials, joined by Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman and actress Susan Anton, inaugurated Building C with a festive ribbon-cutting ceremony.
|
Market participants were looking for a party by Monday night ... and World Market Center was ready to oblige. The evening began with a Vegas-style ribbon cutting ceremony officially inaugurating Building C. Emceed by actress Susan Anton, the celebration welcomed Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman as he joined World Market Center’s managing partners Jack Kashani and Shawn Samson, and Robert Maricich on stage for the festivities. Then, in a standing-room only pavilion, singer Rod Stewart called everyone to attention as he performed his classic hits and jostled with audience members.
|
Jessica Konawicz of Raleigh, North Carolina, shown with World Market Center President and Chief Executive Offer Robert Maricich, was a top-prize winner in the One Good Chair International Design competition.
|
Breaking news this Market was the announcement of a partnership between World Market Center Las Vegas and Fiera Milano to collaborate on joint promotions, including a showcase featuring the best in Italian furniture design from the past 50 years. Coordinating with the announcement was the Design Italiano exhibit at Market, which featured the best in Italian furniture with top Italian designers including B&B Italia, Cassina, Flexform, Minoti and Giorgetti.
Also new at the July Market was the One Good Chair International Design Awards. This first-ever competition encouraged entrants to contribute their vision for a new “eco-chair” that focuses primarily on form. Jessica Konawicz of Raleigh, North Carolina, and Jittasak Narknisorn of Woodland Hills, California, won the top prizes. Runners up included: Moon Choi of South Korea; Robert Corser of Lawrence, Kansas; and Catherine Pena of Memphis, Tennessee.
Stay tuned to the pages of HomeFashion for Las Vegas Market trend reports and additional Market recaps.
|
