Showroom tenants and temporary exhibitors introduce new product to record-breaking traffic and order-writing

January’s Las Vegas Market proved strong for every category with exhibitors and trade media giving rave reviews. Beyond furniture, World Market Center has exploded in other segments of home furnishings as well, by becoming the new hub for accessories, lighting, and in a very big way – bedding and mattress suppliers.

Las Vegas has also evolved into a major flooring venue with more than 30 permanent tenants, doubling its rug showrooms from six months ago.

Dominating the line-up of exhibiting companies at Las Vegas Market were furniture suppliers, ranging from the top U.S. manufacturers and up-and-coming designers to some leading companies overseas.

Ron Wanek, chairman of Ashley Furniture Industries, the largest tenant at WMC and the company that opened a stunning new showroom on the entire 15th floor of Building B, said he saw three times the number of dealers in Las Vegas than he sees at his other markets. These included some new accounts and also many dealers who had not been to market in years but have decided to come back to Las Vegas due to the excitement of the Market.
Also new to Building B, Dave Heard, executive vice president of sales for aspenhome, said, “It’s been a phenomenal market. Our new showroom has allowed us to really define and show who we are as a company today. It was our strongest market ever in terms of attendance and order writing.” Heard added, “The more manufacturers that are a part of World Market Center, the easier it will be on the retailer. Manufacturers need to show where the buyers want to be, and it seems as though they really like Las Vegas. This has been a very exciting event for the furniture industry and we feel the success of the January show cemented Las Vegas’ future.”

Andrew Cohen, president of Human Touch/Interactive Health, said, “We saw more qualified attendees and Top 100’s at this show. From Florida to New York, East Coast retailers are making an investment in this market and finding new vendors and resources. We are seeing very qualified dealers in Las Vegas.”

New exhibitors were equally enthusiastic.

Marty Olsen, president of the Wilsonville, Ore.-based MasterCraft Furniture, an exhibitor at Cashman Center, said, “We realized this was where we needed to be. We have had a phenomenal Market and we’ve seen people and sold to people from all over the country and also outside of the continental United States, writing good orders with all of them. We have also partnered with some major national accounts that might not have learned about our company if we had not been here in Las Vegas.”