Jan 5, 2015

Las Vegas Market Partners with 10 Industry Associations at Winter Las Vegas Market

At Winter Las Vegas Market, January 18-22, many of the nation’s top associations and buying groups will convene to network, learn, and shop a fresh selection of the newest cross-category products available. Representing the home furnishings and gift industries, as well as the interior design community, many associations are hosting educational seminars, tours and other networking events on-site to provide added value to their current members and expose these associations to potential new members.

“Las Vegas Market provides a convenient and efficient location for industry associations to host member events and offer educational opportunities, all at the most comprehensive, cross-category marketplace in the US,” said Dorothy Belshaw, president of gift and home décor, International Market Centers. “We are committed to partnering with these associations to help them deliver value to their members while also providing them with exposure to our broad network of potential new members both during market and year-round through our web site and other channels. “

For Winter 2015, Las Vegas Market is partnering with the following organizations:

TRIB Group

Las Vegas Market will host the TRIB Group’s next Think Tank during the Winter Las Vegas Market on Monday, January 19 & Tuesday, January 20, 2015. Meetings will be held at the market in the mornings, leaving the afternoons open for showroom visits.

TRIB Group, The Rental Industry Buying Group, is the oldest and largest member-owned and run non-profit buying cooperative specifically for the RTO industry in the nation. TRIB Group has a strong membership, representing stores throughout the United States. For more information: http://tribgroup.com.

FMG (Furniture Marketing Group)

FMG will once again hold its Annual Member Symposium in Las Vegas Jan 15-17, 2015, so members can coordinate their attendance at the Symposium with their trip to Winter Las Vegas Market.

FMG is the largest volume furniture buying cooperative of independent retail furniture dealers in the nation. FMG currently represents over 780 storefronts with cumulative annual sales approaching $3 billion. For more information: www.fmgbuyinggroup.com.

North American Home Furnishings Association (NAHFA)

NAHFA has a permanent showroom for its Retailer Resource Center (RRC)in Building B-1050, which features 30+ business service providers offering tools and services for retail success; as well as a full roster of education seminars during every Las Vegas Market. See the full schedule here: http://www.nahfa.org/events-education/markets/las-vegas/seminars/

NAHFA was founded in 2013 with the merger of the three largest home furnishings retailer associations in the U.S. The NAHFA is North America’s largest organization devoted specifically to the needs and interests of home furnishings retailers, with more than 1,800 members representing more than 7,000 storefronts across all 50 states and several countries. For more information: www.nahfa.org.

Association for Healthcare Volunteer Resource Professionals (AHVRP)

AHVRP will present a seminar on Sunday, January 18, 2-3:30pm, titled Healthcare Gift Guide: Top Picks for Hospital Gift Shops

Discover the hidden treasures and multitude of sparkling hospital gift shop products at Las Vegas Market! Association for Healthcare Volunteer Resources Professionals (AHVRP) retail committee chair Mary Plathe, volunteer services manager for Orange City Area Health System, will pre-scout the very best and brightest offerings from our most exciting vendors. Then health care gift guru Mary Plathe will guide us through her finest gems and jewels! RSVP now, as groups are limited to 20 buyers: sjones@imcenters.com.

AHVRP a professional membership group of the American Hospital Association is the premier professional membership society for healthcare volunteer services, retail operations and related support services disciplines. For more information: www.ahvrp.org.

Day Spa Association (DSA)

The Day Spa Association will enhance its buying trip to Las Vegas Market with a special Lunch Power Hour with DSA entitled Think Beyond Spa! Personal Care + Wellness Retail on Monday, Jan. 19, noon-1:30pm.

Join Day Spa Association for lunch and a dynamic insider view of what is driving the expansion of the spa and personal care products market. Allan Share and Patti Biro will share insights that target both buyers and suppliers and reveal the next big opportunity! The personal care and wellness retail market is poised for expanded growth – not only in the spa setting – but across all retail channels. Open to all retailers and vendors in the spa, personal care and wellness lifestyle market. Bonus: All attendees receive a complimentary one-year membership to the Day Spa Association/International Medical Spa Association.

DSA provides benefits to spa operators to help them grow into professional businesses. One of the leading trade associations in the spa, esthetic and wellness world, DSA members receive a full benefit package including: world trade show calendar, national reports on industry topics, legislative direction, free trade magazines, educational discounts and a comprehensive insurance offering. For more information: www.dayspaassociation.com.

Museum Store Association (MSA)

The Museum Store Association will host Docent Tours as well as a networking reception during the upcoming Market.

Curated Docent Tours – Top Museum Store Product

Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2-3:30pm

Tour the top museum store product at Las Vegas Market! Museum store expert Chacho Herman, museum store manager at San Diego Museum of Art, will pre-scout the very best and brightest offerings from our most exciting vendors. Then Chacho will lead a “docent” tour of his wonderfully curated collection! RSVP now, as groups are limited to 20 buyers: sjones@imcenters.com.

Networking Reception with Cocktails

Tuesday, Jan. 20, 6-7:30pm

Network with fellow museum stores. Mingle with industry peers. Gaze over the Las Vegas skyline. Enjoy light refreshments and cocktails before your evening out in Las Vegas! Existing and prospective MSA members and vendors are welcome. Buyers, enter for your chance to win one scholarship*, which includes free air and hotel to next Las Vegas Market, August 2-6, 2015. *One recipient selected; must be present to win. Drawing held Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2015; entries must be received by Jan. 20, 2015 at 7 pm. No purchase necessary, void where prohibited. Odds depend on number of entries. Rules available on request. Retail value=airfare from your US city + three nights + tax at host hotel.

MSA is a nonprofit, international association dedicated to advancing the success of nonprofit retail professionals and nonprofit institutions. For more information: www.museumstoreassociation.org.

Zoo & Aquarium Buyers’ Group (ZAG)

Las Vegas Market has partnered with the Zoo & Aquarium Buyers’ Group to host a buying tour on Monday, Jan. 19, 2-3:30pm titled Conservation Commerce: Tour Top Zoo & Aquarium Store Product

Money follows mission: do your zoo and aquarium store products reinforce your conservation mission statements? Expert Tommy Lee Brown, retail manager and buyer at Saint Louis Zoo, will pre-scout the very best products that (both directly and indirectly) help conservation efforts. Then Tommy will lead a “conservation commerce tour” of his favorite finds! Learn how products can be signed, displayed and bought to bolster your mission. Your gift shop is not a separate entity, but an extension of the zoo or aquarium. It has the power to educate and even change lives! RSVP now, as groups are limited to 20 buyers: sjones@imcenters.com.

ZAG is a non-profit, volunteer run organization for merchandise buyers from zoos, aquariums, nature centers, butterfly houses and other wildlife facilities, institutions and attractions. For more information: www.zaggift.com.

International Furnishings and Design Association (IFDA)

IFDA members will get an exclusive behind the scenes “Tastes and Trends” Tour at Las Vegas Market. Industry trendsetter Global Views will share its latest trends and best-sellers. See what’s coming next in home furnishings and design. Sip wine and network with industry colleagues. Positively posh, decadent and divine…that’s Global Views. RSVP to shanti@modascapes.com by Jan. 5. Private event for IFDA interior designers.

IFDA is an international association for the entire furnishings and design industry with chapters across the United States and in Japan as well as members around the world. For more information: www.ifda.com.

Parable Group

The Parable Group is a leader in developing strategic print and digital marketing that connects brands, products and services to faith-based consumers everywhere. For more information: www.parablegroup.com.

Purchasing Power Plus (PPP)

PPP connects the hospital gift shop industry nationwide, providing members with seasonal product recommendations, identifying market trends and recommending new suppliers and companies. PPP currently serves approximately 710 hospitals across the nation. For more information: www.purchasingpowerplus.com.

Las Vegas Market is committed to providing ongoing support to industry groups across all product categories. If you want to collaborate with us at future markets, please contact Sarah Jones, sjones@imcenters.com or Leigh Chastain, lchastain@imcenters.com. Las Vegas Winter Market runs from January 18-22, 2015. For more information, please visit www.lasvegasmarket.com.

About Las Vegas Market and International Market Centers, L.P.

Las Vegas Market is the most comprehensive furniture, home décor and gift market in the United States, presenting a unique cross-section of 2,200+ resources in an unrivaled market destination. With two markets each year, retailers and designers can shop a broad assortment of product from thousands of manufacturers of furniture, mattress, lighting, decorative accessories, floor coverings, home textiles, tabletop, general gift and more — delivering the most complete, cross-category wholesale tradeshow for the furniture, home décor and gift industries in the United States.

For more information, visit www.lasvegasmarket.com. Find us on Facebook and Twitter.

Las Vegas Market is produced by International Market Centers, L.P. (IMC), the world’s largest operator of premier showroom space for the furnishings, home décor and gift industries. International Market Centers owns and operates 11.4 million square feet of world-class exhibition space in High Point, N.C. and Las Vegas. IMC’s mission is to build and operate an innovative, sustainable, profitable and scalable platform for the furnishings, home décor and gift industries. For more information on IMC, visit http://imcenters.com/.