Largest attendance to date includes influx of new buyers and more than 50% increase in international visitors

The January Market was the largest show to date in terms of total attendees and buyers, and significantly exceeded the historic average of 50,000 registrations per market.

This record setting show drew a significant influx of new buyers as well. Market officials report a 60% increase in new buyers alone from the last show.

World Market Center worked aggressively to expand participation of international buyers to the January Market which resulted in the highest number and best quality of international attendees to date. The Winter Market saw more than a 50% increase in international visitors from last show. Market officials cite a significant increase in buyers from Canada as well as Mexico, Australia, Europe and the Middle East.

“Las Vegas Market is within easy reach of being the most important furnishings fair for all of the Americas - from Canada to Argentina. We are seeing nearly all of the top buyers from Latin America attend our show. In addition to Las Vegas being very accessible from outside the USA – we work hard at considering every way possible to ensure our international visitors feel welcome and can easily shop our market. We expect our international buyer attendance to continue growing at a significant rate. For our Summer Market, we are already experiencing indications that there will be a further surge in European attendance as well,” said Tim Branscome, director of international development for WMC.

Furthermore, the majority of the Top 100 and Top 200 U.S. retailers attended January’s Las Vegas Market. Big and small buyers alike said they were very pleased with the quality of the Market and the ease of shopping the complex.
Pedro Capo, chief operating officer of

10-store El Dorado Furniture based in Miami Gardens, Fla., said about Las Vegas Market, “It’s easy to focus on what’s new. You don’t have to go through 40 or 50 things you’ve probably already seen.” Capo also said Las Vegas was easy to shop. Travel time between showrooms is less than it is in High Point, so El Dorado’s team spent more time looking at product, he said.

Tim McElwain, Lighting, Clocks & Decorative Accessories buyer for JCPenney Co., Inc. said “The Las Vegas Market has met all of my expectations and each Market gets better than the one before. The new building and the change to the outside layout is great. The Market is convenient, well laid out and the big players are here. I can’t imagine a better place to have a Market than Vegas. People are extremely friendly and it is easy to get around. Since the Vegas Market has opened, I’ve not been back to High Point. Las Vegas Market is so much easier to attend and they make you feel welcome.”