News: Las Vegas Market’s Opening Day Marks the Beginning of an Optimistic New Decade for Home Furnishings

02.04.10

(LAS VEGAS)—World Market Center Las Vegas’ campus was alive with optimism and enthusiasm during opening day of the first major home furnishings market of the year and the decade, taking place February 1 through February 5. Attendance numbers are on par to outpace last year’s Winter Las Vegas Market. Pair that with the nearly 100 new exhibitors, and Las Vegas Market experts say it bodes well for the coming year in home furnishings industry activity, innovation and design.

 

“Optimism, optimism, optimism. That’s the theme for this Las Vegas Market,” said Robert Maricich, president and CEO of World Market Center Las Vegas. “There has been an uptick in activity and it is reflected in attitudes and order writing here in Las Vegas. This Market aims to be a leader not only in products and sales, but in leading the charge for innovation and creativity. It’s a new world and a new way and we are here to give buyers a look at what’s up next in every realm. The industry has weathered the eye of the storm, and it’s gratifying to see people here motivated and geared up for success after the last two and a half years in a most challenging environment.”

 

The day began by showcasing the must-haves of Market, courtesy of First Look at Las Vegas Market with HGTV’s Monica Pedersen and home furnishings trend expert Julie Smith Vincenti of Nine Muses Media. They showcased dozens of hot-ticket items to be found in Market showrooms—highlighting up-and-coming trends such as distressed finishes, bold accent colors like turquoise and purple, versatile patterns and attention to surface details.

 

“Trends and highlights are just the beginning,” said Maricich. “We have 157 events throughout the week. It all started with the One Good World ECOngress, which attracted many Market attendees and inspired countless useful and dynamic conversations. Still to come is the industry’s first sustainability training, The Green Debate Seminar, DESIGNINGreen, Lasting Luxury and those are just a few. These five days are full of panels, seminars and events that will help us understand how to prosper and take better care of our planet. The lineup of speakers is, simply put, star-studded.”

 

Product launches are another exciting aspect of Market. This week, Amini Innovation Corporation is launching its first celebrity-licensed collection with Jane Seymour.

“We are excited about the week ahead in Las Vegas, and our major launch with Jane Seymour,” said Michael Amini, CEO of Amini Innovation Corporation. “I think in this type of economy a lot of people have been falling asleep, and this is a great way to wake them up." Larry Rinaldi, president of Amini, added, "Traffic has been absolutely terrific. There has been a steady stream of customers. We're getting wonderful comments and seeing a lot of interest from people we have never done business with before.”

 

Throughout the furnishings campus, exhibitors were invigorated with excitement. “We are quite pleased with our first day’s results,” said Stefanie Lucas, president and CEO, Rowe Fine Furniture. “Traffic was up significantly and our customers were very enthusiastic with our fabrics and styles. We see color as mandatory when it comes to uplifting the mood of consumers, and our retailers seem very optimistic.” 

 

“There is a nice buzz going on here,” said Jason Phillips, vice president and creative director for The Phillips Collection. “I sense a very hopeful attitude. If anyone truly cares about the industry and is trying hard to keep things together, it is the Las Vegas Market.”

 

“We've been swarmed with dealers from all over,” said Ron Wanek, chairman of Ashley Furniture, the largest furniture manufacturer in North America. “The dealers are coming in upbeat and we're writing good business. We think 2010 should be a pretty good year. Dealers like to come here to Las Vegas because the economics are good.”

 

“We like the attitudes of the buyers that are coming in,” said Jeff Cook, president of Broyhill Furniture. “As you can see, our showroom has been very active. The response to the new products we are launching has been very good.”

 

“The show is wonderful,” said John Moran, national sales manager for Anthony California, Inc. “The traffic seems to be pretty good right now and we are having a very successful first day.”

 

Nightly parties and entertainment are also a true Market hallmark.  Attendees celebrated with Alfresco, A Taste of Las Vegas. This only-in-Vegas celebration offered attendees unprecedented access to the flavors and personalities of top Las Vegas chefs such as Kerry Simon, Alessandro Stratta, Paul Bartolotta, Hubert Keller, Robert Solano and others. In addition to cuisine, design also took center stage with fire pits, chaise lounges and the latest in outdoor furnishings.

 

“Our goal for attendees this winter is to offer them a Market that’s not only highly efficient, productive and educational, but also fun,” said Maricich. “When people are having fun they are optimistic and ready to buy.”

 

Some of the other highlights from opening day include:

  • Tech-Forward. Attendees had their noses to the iPhone as they took advantage of the new WMCLV app. The free, downloadable application is the first of its kind in the home furnishings industry. It enables attendees to search for products and exhibitors by product category or company name; zoom in on maps of all World Market Center buildings and floors; download information on seminars, showroom events and parties; keep on top of “tweets” related to Market and other social buzz.
  • The second installment of National Home Furnishings Month, set for September 2010, drew interest with a prominent location for retailers to activate.
  • Expansion. The ever-evolving Market expanded this year to include new high-end categories such as Alfresco Spaces featuring the latest in outdoor and casual furnishings, located in the showcases of Building B, 2nd floor.

 

  • Innovation. By hosting the inaugural INSPIREDESIGN, aimed at the hospitality design industry, at the same time as Market, both events become available to new, complementary demographics. INSPIREDESIGN’s opening day keynote address was delivered by veteran National Geographic photojournalist Dewitt Jones.
  • Forward-thinking. The One Good World program highlights nearly 50 exhibitors at World Market Center Las Vegas that have been verified by Sustainable Furnishings Council as eco-friendly.

 

About World Market Center Las Vegas

 

World Market Center Las Vegas is an integrated home and hospitality contract furnishings showroom and trade complex. The state-of-the-art campus showcases furniture, decorative accessories, gift, lighting, area rugs, home textiles and related segments, as well as the Las Vegas Design Center (LVDC), now open daily to consumers and designers. World Market Center currently hosts the biannual Las Vegas Market™, the preeminent total home market. Additionally, making its debut in February 2010, INSPIREDESIGNTM at World Market Center represents a dynamic alternative for manufacturers and companies serving the hospitality design marketplace. In 2010, World Market Center will launch the inaugural Gift + Home™ show catering to the gift, decorative accessory and seasonal industriesalong with Vegas KidsTM which will provide youth furniture, juvenile products, toy and game, children’s books, children’s apparel and gift. Find us on Facebook and Twitter. 

 

For more information on World Market Center Las Vegas, visit www.LasVegasMarket.com.