Continuing its rapid growth trajectory, the winter 2014 Las Vegas Market (January 26-30, at World Market Center Las Vegas) hosted its biggest and best attended market in its nine-year history. Record-breaking gains in both attendance – with 21% more buyers and 850,000 more square feet of resources than last winter – firmly cemented the Market's position as the leading furniture, home décor and gift market in western United States. The summer Market will run July 27-31, 2014, at World Market Center Las Vegas.
"Las Vegas Market is growing both resources and attendance at an exponential rate, and this winter marked the largest Market in our history," said Bob Maricich, Chief Executive Officer, International Market Centers. "In the last 12 months, we have aggregated existing resources, added new categories and floors and increased participation of local and regional sales representatives, all of which has sparked momentum."
While the Market experienced overall attendance gains of 21%, growth in the gift category was most dramatic, with 90% increases over last year. Notable increases in both home décor and furniture – of 21% and 17% respectively – also contributed to the energy and palpable buzz at the winter edition.
Leasing activity has been robust in the last 12 months, bringing 1,200 new home décor, furniture and gift resources to Las Vegas Market in both permanent showrooms and temporary presentations. In total, 850,000 square feet of resources – 500,000 from gift and home décor and 350,000 from furniture – has been added since winter 2013. Additionally, the number of temporary exhibitors has increased by 10% in just one year, with a record 340 gift and home décor exhibitors showcased on three floors in Building C and 80 furniture exhibitors featured on B2 at the winter 2014 Market.
Luis Ruesga of Zuo Modern, a California-based supplier of modern furniture and décor located on B7, concurred, "This is our tenth Las Vegas Market and we can say this was the best ever! There were many international visitors, but more importantly the overall attitude was very positive. I'm so happy to see the buyers excited to keep coming."
Winter market highlights included the introduction of a new Sunday-Thursday date pattern, debut of new and expanded showroom resources and launch of three new temporary exhibit categories. In addition to the exponential gains in resources, the Market also offered participants a wide range of unparalleled market amenities, networking event and educational programming, including presentation second annual Las Vegas Market CEO Summit.
