Market to offer educational series focused on trends in sustainability plus second run of “Living Green”

World Market Center Las Vegas and the Sustainable Furniture Council are partnering on a series of retailer-focused educational seminars during the 2008 Winter Las Vegas Market, Jan. 28 to Feb. 1, called the Brave New World Environmental Leadership Series Initiative.

The events schedule is listed below and is open to buyers, suppliers, designers, media and industry service providers and are designed to provide key information and proven strategies for effective change with a focus on long-term consumer and supplier education.

“If you are a retailer looking to transform your business to a more environmentally friendly model, then you know that credible large-scale education is the cornerstone for effective change,” said Margaret Casey, programming director, WMC. “The U.S. furniture industry generates $60 billion in retail but 80 percent of furniture ends up in landfills, an amount equivalent of 500,000 semi truckloads.”

According to Mike Italiano, president and chief executive officer of the Institute for Market Transformation to Sustainability (MTS), the best margins go to the early adopters. “Certified sustainable products increase manufacturer and retailer profitability,” Italiano said. “Recent figures show the sustainable products market is exploding with 20 to 75 percent long-term annual growth in certified organic products, certified green buildings and homes, FSC-certified wood and certified sustainable products.

“Companies who credibly promote certified sustainable products with qualified nonprofit groups will assert their competitive advantage and make the most money. The Federal Trade Commission surveys show more than 90 percent of consumers will buy the sustainable product if the quality is as good as conventional.”

According to Casey, who is also co-chair of the Sustainable Furniture Council’s marketing committee, market forces have created a perfect storm for certified sustainable products with consumer awareness at an all-time high. “No major furniture company has yet claimed a broad eco-friendly position, leaving an opportunity for a retailer with the right philosophical commitment to lead the way,” Casey said.

The seminars will take place in the MGM Pavilion, which also serves as the home of the Living Green show section.

Back by popular demand, Living Green will appear for its second run at Las Vegas Market as the headquarters for growing style and substance of eco-friendly home furnishings. Living Green, which has nearly tripled its size from the July 2007 Las Vegas Market, is a specialty focus section that centers on sustainable furnishings or furniture using wood, cushioning, fabrics and finishing materials that can be renewed through natural processes over the long term. Sustainable furniture is a fast-growing trend in the furniture industry among buyers and designers. Living Green is a partnership between WMC, the Sustainable Furniture Council and Channel Logic.

For more information about Living Green and for complete schedule of Las Vegas Market seminars and educational events, please visit www.lasvegasmarket.com.
 

Jan. 29, 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Going Green – The 10-Step Program
Jeff Hiller, Marketing Co-Chair of SFC
Sponsored by WMC, SFC, Living Green
A beginner’s guide providing practical advice for furniture retailers and manufacturers to become more sustainable. The content summarizes global warming issues as presented in the recent IPCC report, highlights issues specific to furniture industry, provides 10 How To's each for retailers and manufacturers, and discusses the current and future direction of SFC.

Jan. 30, 2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
The Greening of America: What it Means to You
Ray Allegrezza
Sponsored by WMC, SFC, and Furniture Today
If you are currently selling green home furnishings, or plan to in the near future, you’ll want to attend this presentation. Furniture Today editor in chief Ray Allegrezza will present the Green market from a non-technical point of view. Specifically, Allegrezza will discuss topics such as the size of the market, the different segments of green consumers, what they want, what they don’t want, and more. He will also offer suggestions regarding how retailers can better target this burgeoning, but fragmented segment for the market.



Jan. 30, 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Global Convergence Cocktail Reception
Sponsored by WMC
Meet the creative forces that make up the unique Design+Living, ConText and Living Green show sections at MGM Grand Pavilion. The rich mix of cultural influences found in these juried exhibits makes it popular with buyers looking for emerging trends and international influences and can be found only at the Las Vegas Market. Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres will be offered in each show section, along with an opportunity to appraise the products and meet the players.

Jan. 31, 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
FSC Wood: Is there enough to go around?
Lee Jimerson, The Collins Company
Sponsored by WMC, SFC, Living Green

Jan. 31, 11:00 a.m. – Noon
Inspirational Design
Tucker Robbins
Sponsored by WMC, SFC, Living Green
New York-based monk-turned-world-traveler-turned-designer Tucker Robbins will present an update on his current “Green Project” to turn a decommissioned high school in Virginia into a “green factory” for his designs, complete with a “green” restaurant. Robbins works exclusively with traditional peoples who have been caretakers of their forests to find alternative perspectives on how to get what people need without cutting the branch they are sitting on. Robbins’ client roster includes Barneys, Donna Karen, the Gensler Group, Ian Schrager Hotels, Le Parker Meridian and Mandalay Bay.