World Market Center Las Vegas Introduces a Mega-Market
World Market Center Las Vegas was abuzz with ambition and enthusiasm as the home furnishings complex kicked off its first mega-market event August 2, 2010. The successful day one was the energetic launch to a trilogy of shows, including Las Vegas Market, Gift + Home and Vegas Kids. Brimming with exclusive educational programming, elaborate celebrations, advanced technologies and a diverse mix of attendees from around the globe, the first day has been declared a success by World Market Center officials.
“We’ve been elated by the buying activity on the first day of Market,” said World Market Center President and CEO Robert Maricich. “No one has given up. They are here introducing new products, they are being aggressive. Retailers are here looking for new ideas, and the lines are being blurred between home furnishings and gifts, which is a good thing. One theme we’ve seen again and again is crossover shopping. Attendees are truly embracing the whole home market we’ve offered, and are taking advantage of the countless options under one roof—Vegas Kids, Gift + Home, Las Vegas Market, Alfresco Spaces and so much more.”
Attendees came from across the globe, invigorated by the three-shows-in-one opportunity. The morning kicked off with “First Look” a glimpse at Market’s hottest new products seen through the eyes of HGTV’s Monica Pedersen and trends editor Julie Smith Vincenti, a professional trend tracker and president and manager of Nine Muses Media LLC. Pedersen and Smith Vincenti said that some of the season’s trend highlights are farmhouse chic and rough luxe. The duo treated attendees to a tour of hundreds of new products debuting throughout the World Market Center Las Vegas campus this week.
Lawyer-turned-interior designer Darryl Carter could be seen wandering throughout World Market Center, searching for what he considers “The Next Big Thing,” which he will present, along with fellow designers Kishani Perera and Mary McDonald during “Ahead of the Curve” Wednesday, August 4. When asked what he was hoping to find, Carter said, “I’m looking for forward design innovation that can solve the multitude of challenges that we face daily in our practices. In my experience, the diverse gathering of so many unique vendors allows you to keep a pulse on innovative product introductions in a preview context.”
Carter added that Las Vegas Market is the perfect one-stop-shopping opportunity for all audiences. “The interim summer Market offers incredible exposure and time efficiencies relative to smaller design venues. It presents a dynamic opportunity to see all that is out there to be seen in a single forum.”
Chuck Reilly, vice president of sales and marketing for AICO, which is based in Pico Rivera, California, says that he met with buyers from across the country and beyond and expects to continue writing strong orders in the coming days. He said retailers are particularly excited about AICO’s new line with Jane Seymour. “We have a number of new products, so we have a lot in stock that can ship right away, which is attractive to buyers,” he said. “We have had very steady traffic in the showroom and we are on target with what we hoped for on opening day of Market. I think it will be a strong order-writing market. We have seen a lot of the major accounts already today, and the buyers are spread out beyond the West Coast—we have even seen some from Florida and New England, as well as Canada and Mexico.”
Chad Turney, CEO and president of Shadow Mountain, which is headquartered in Statesville, North Carolina, said that he was seeing even greater traffic than he’d anticipated. “We’re seeing a lot designers and traffic flow has been consistent all day,” said Turner. “We think we’re seeing this influx of new people because of our brands, Dick Idol and Woolrich. Designers seem to be drawn to them for their rustic elegance. Our current retailers are here, too, and the opening-day traffic is heavier than it has been in years past.”
Jerome Kearns, chief operating officer for Four Hands, based in Austin, Texas, said the first day was pleasantly busy and the response to Four Hands’ new Esquire line has been positive. “We have had great steady traffic. We had customers here when we opened and we’ve been busy ever since,” he said. “Las Vegas has always been a good show for us, and if the first day is a harbinger of what’s to come I’ll be really pleased.”
The launch of Gift + Home ushered in a new era for World Market Center and the buzzword among attendees was “engaging.” Their numbers were strong and their interests were high during the discussion “From the Retail Floor: Home Accents Today Retailer Roundtable,” led by Jenny Heinzen York, editor in chief of Home Accents Today. Heinzen York shared exclusive data about the retail floor, while retailers shared best practices and tips for success.
New York Times bestselling author and “Today” show regular Robyn Spizman spoke to a packed house about trends that never go out of style during “Gift+Home Trends that Never Go Out of Style: National Gift Expert Robyn Spizman to the Rescue!”
Larry Gottlieb, senior vice president of sales and marketing for Allstate Floral & Craft, which is based in Cerritos, California, said he was seeing a lot of new customers at Gift + Home and was satisfied with the traffic. “We are pleased with the facility,” he said, noting that this is his company’s first time exhibiting at Las Vegas Market.
Attendees learned that, for the second year, World Market Center will sponsor the “Is It Home Yet?” campaign (homeyet.com), working with retailers to draw in customers during National Home Furnishings Month in September. In addition, World Market Center officials announced sponsorship of the Home Mortgage Sweepstakes for 2010 National Home Furnishings Month. Through this sweepstakes, WMCLV will pay the mortgage of the winner for an entire year.
Retailers are encouraged sign up for NHFM and the Sweepstakes by visiting www.homeyet.com/retailer-login or going to the NHFM kiosk in World Market Center’s Building C Atrium or at C-496. Hosted by Western Home Furnishings Association (WHFA), retailers will be able to get their complimentary listing on the store locator, as well as get the information and tools required to participate in this year’s national event.
With the juvenile industry growing, the debut of the Vegas Kids event was timely and well received. The juvenile industry is one that’s been growing strong. Studies have shown that even though parents are cutting spending in many areas, they’re still spending money on their kids. According to Kids Today (March/April 2010) youth bedroom furniture is expected to be one of the five furniture categories with the greatest sales growth. In years’ past, more than 20 percent of buyers purchased juvenile furnishings during Market. This year, World Market Center decided to dedicate an entire show to the juvenile industry, tapping into the high-growth marketplace.
Technology was another area of high interest. Experts were on hand to help attendees expand their social presence at Hot Spot: The Social Media Bar. The bar launched Monday evening with a special cocktail reception and “Tweetup,” and the first day saw more than 100 buyers. Inspired by the Apple Genius Bar® and powered by The Kaleidoscope Partnership’s expertise, Hot Spot provides free assistance and tips on registering on social media sites, such as Facebook and Twitter, and aims to help retailers and designers leverage social media to generate business. Hot Spot will remain open through Thursday in Building C-1096.
The day was capped with the highly anticipated event, “Alfresco, A Taste of Las Vegas.” World Market Center was transformed into a lavish, outdoor resort at the opening-night party, as attendees sampled delicious selections from some of the most prominent Las Vegas chefs.
As music heated up the background, Executive Chef Mark LoRusso from Botero at Encore Las Vegas served his legendary chimichurri chateaubriand with truffle macaroni and cheese, while Executive Chef Theo Schoenegger from Sinatra at Encore Las Vegas prepared a ricotta and herb angliotto and panna cotta. Other dishes to sample from chefs included Dungeness crab bruschetta, heirloom tomato gazpacho, lamb sausage with tomato jam, Key lime tarts and more. Participating restaurants included Bradley Ogden, B&B Ristorante, Charlie Palmer Group, Emeril’s New Orleans Fish House, Mundo, Payard Patisserie & Bistro, Mesa Grill and Guy Savoy.
The culinary stars mixed and mingled under the Las Vegas stars, surrounded by the latest in premium outdoor furnishings, including decorative fireplaces, chaises, illumination and more. According to the results of Casual Living’s 2009 Universe Study of the outdoor home furnishings industry, more than 79 percent of consumers surveyed reported they would like to design a home resort. At “Alfresco,” attendees got to experience that, and more as they shook hands with Las Vegas’ foodie frontier.
Christopher Reiter, managing partner for Kenneth Cobonpue, which has a United States office in Washington, D.C., was thrilled at the response that his furniture collections and Hive lighting and accessories were receiving in its Alfresco Spaces location on B2. “We do shows internationally and this is our first Las Vegas Market,” said Reiter. “In the last 20 years, American society has gone from entertaining in the living room to the kitchen and now outdoors. People have had a very positive reaction to our lines. It’s good to see so many international buyers from south of the United States —like the Caribbean Islands and South America. We’ve seen more international buyers than I would have expected.”
David Kennedy, regional sales director for DEDON, a German manufacturer, said that the location and grouping of Alfresco Spaces was ideal. “I’m surprised at how many designers we’ve seen already today,” he said. “The Alfresco Spaces area concentrated here on the second floor makes a lot of sense for us. Plus, they have the right mix of companies here. I saw people today who knew our line but we have never interacted with.” Kennedy said he was proud to be showing off DEDON’s all new Philippe Starck collection.
Retailers were just as delighted with Alfresco Spaces. Carolyn Stankaitis, owner of Belle Maison Seacoast Interiors, located in San Diego, California, said that she was really enjoying the shopping experience. “Outdoor entertaining and outdoor kitchens are very popular and we are specifying a lot of products for our customers in this area,” she said. “Shopping here is great for inspiration and ideas.”
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 open daily to consumers and designers. World Market Center currently hosts the biannual Las Vegas MarketTM, the preeminent total home market along with Gift + HomeTM and Vegas KidsTM. For more information on World Market Center Las Vegas and its shows, visit www.wmclv.com. Find us on Facebook and Twitter.
