Las Vegas, NV, February 23, 2006--Six months after the debut of the highly successful inaugural Las Vegas Market, which was the largest show launch in U.S. trade show history, all eyes in the international home furnishings industry were focused on the second Las Vegas Market, held January 30 – February 3, to see if the “Market of the Future” could once again live up to the promise for a more efficient, more stimulating home furnishings marketplace.
Cooler temperatures welcomed the Winter Las Vegas Market, but that didn’t stop World Market Center and its 1,200 exhibiting companies from having another red-hot showing. With more than 50,000 buyers, designers and exhibitors in attendance from 83 countries and record-setting order writing, exhibitors and buyers universally say Las Vegas Market lived up the promise and proved to be even brighter the second time around.
Attendees widely praised Las Vegas Market commenting that the January show proved to be a better Market at every turn. Buyers and exhibitors alike hailed improvements stating their experience at all three Market venues was greatly enhanced over July. Attendees cited a number of enhancements at this show, including enhanced organization and product presentation at the temporary venues, expanded shuttle service, more food options at World Market Center, bolstered signage and marketing programs, and improvements to the Market logistics program overall.
Developers and Co-managing Partners Jack Kashani and Shawn Samson comment on the success of the January Market: “The January show surpassed our expectations and has once again captivated the industry to new heights of excitement, fulfillment and productivity. Evidenced by the quality of the Market experience, unprecedented sales activity and the rapid expansion of the entire campus, World Market Center has reached a critical mass of attendance and commerce that has definitively proven to be sustainable in the long term. We are deeply gratified with the level of support we have received, and will continue to serve the needs of the industry for many successful Markets to come.”
Kashani and Samson, along with their partners Marty Burger and Ron Wackrow of The Related Companies, say these results are backed by an avalanche of positive news reports and supporting endorsements by buyers and exhibitors alike as well as the significant demand for additional space by existing and new tenants.
Dave Palmer, World Market Center’s General Manager also commented: “Our team spent a great deal of time evaluating the results of the many surveys we conducted and soliciting feedback from buyers, exhibitors, vendors and our Advisory Board based on their experiences from the July Market in an effort to raise the bar for January. We put this feedback into action, making improvements and enhancements across the board, and came out a better show for it. Responding to the needs and wants of our exhibitors and attendees is what Las Vegas Market is all about, and we believe the industry is equally responsive to marketplace that truly listens. Listening to the industry will continue to be a hallmark to our operating philosophy as we evolve.”
Market officials say improvements are already in the works for July 2006 show. For starters, attendees can expect to see a revamped plan and process for on-site registration.
World Market Center’s chief operating officer Gerry Sawyer says: “We have a first class operations team and among the most experienced registration companies in the trade show industry. Recognizing that Las Vegas is all about service and efficiency, we are already exploring new avenues in order to make the registration process easier and more convenient for buyers. This is in addition of course to other facets of the Market that we will continue to re-evaluate to ensure that we exceed the needs and expectations of our attendees and exhibitors.”
