Daily News Archive
Brought to you by Home Furnishings Business
Las Vegas Programming Targets Designers
July 11,
2010 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in Las Vegas on July 12, 2010
More continuing education programs for design professionals will highlight the upcoming Las Vegas Market, August 2-6 at World Market Center Las Vegas.
"Nearly a quarter of our buying audience is comprised of designers, and that segment is on the rise. February's Market saw a staggering a 40 percent increase in registration among international designers," said Randy Wells, vice president of the Las Vegas Design Center. "Thats due in large part to the incredible series of design-focused speaking engagements, original events and CEU-accredited seminars. We are a venue where the design community comes to be intellectually and creatively stimulated."
Highlights include the first-of-its-kind Alfresco furnishings exhibit located in the expansive Grand Plaza, which brings together the finest in design, merchandising, display and inspiration for outdoor living. In addition, the fashion-forward destinations on B-2 (Alfresco Spaces, Design + Living and Context) look to draw enterprising designers looking for "new and next."
Everyone is looking to reinvent themselves right now in order to stay relevant, said Margaret Casey, director of programming for World Market Center Las Vegas. Designers have an endless appetite for fresh inspiration and sometimes its tough to take care of business and be creative. Any topic that supports them being successful in both areas can be found on the agenda here at Las Vegas Market.
Examples include "WithIt Keynote: Meet the Minds of Luxury Residential Interiors," Monday, August 2, 3-4 p.m., Building B, 16th floor. This panel discussion, coordinated by WithIt West Coast Vice President Kassie Smith, will hone in on the luxury market through the eyes of some key players, including Kay Lang, designer for Mandarin Oriental' Lee Lundquist of Robb & Stucky; Leigh Mitchell of Dahlgren Duck & Associates; and Jennifer Matthews, publisher of Luxe Magazine. WithIt is a women's leadership development network serving the home and furnishings industries.
Throughout the week, varied events will continue to enlighten. Also on Monday, designer and Shabby Chic brand founder Rachel Ashwell will present "Turning Inspiration into Reality," 11 a.m.-noon, Building B, World Forum. Atwell will discuss her design inspiration and how she's propelled her company forward for 20 years.
Steve Nobel explores the state of the market during "Aiming at Affluence: Marketing Interior Design to Luxury Clients," Tuesday, August 3, 11-noon, Building C, room 176. The founder and cairman of The Luxury Home Alliance and sustaining member of The Luxury Marketing Council Worldwide looks at the efforts underway to promote the value of design to the affluent population. Lunch will follow in Jordan Spencer Design Showroom, C188.
Market-goers will have a chance to see Las Vegas' new CityCenter development with "Luxury Champagne Tour: CityCenter Art & Architecture," Tuesday, August 3, 2:30-5 p.m., meet at transportation terminal. CityCenter, which opened December 2009, is a 67-acre urban community filled with fine art and spectacular architecture. Properties showcase design by architects such as Pelli Clarke of Pelli Architects, RV Architecture led by Rafael Vinoly, Helmut Jahn, Studio Daniel Libeskind, Rockwell Group, Kohn Pedersen Fox, Foster + Partners, and Gensler. CityCenter Fine Art Collection, the first major collection of contemporary art in Las Vegas to be integrated into public space, features work by 15 internationally renowned artists including Maya Lin, Jenny Holzer, Nancy Rubins, Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen, Frank Stella, Henry Moore, and Richard Long. See it all after enjoying champagnes and hors d'oeuvres at Van Cleef & Arpels. Advance registration is required based on a first-come, first-serve basis and available by RSVPing to citycentertour@wmclv.com.
"Art of Design Awards: Redefining Luxury" is set for Wednesday, August 4, 10:30 a.m.-noon, Building C, 1st floor, followed by a panel discussion moderated by Carolyn Englefield, Veranda editor-at-large, discussing redefining luxury in today's marketplace. The program will feature featuring Roger Thomas, Bobby McAlpine, Suzanne Kasler and Art of Design recipient, Jason Phillips.
Freshen your cyber-relevance with "New Media Day: Design Bloggers--Building a Community of Design," Thursday, August 5, 10:30-11:30 am, Building B, floor 16. Moderated by Julia Noran and Tori Mellott of Editor-at-Large, this panel discussion features five top U.S. and international design bloggers, who will explore how new media is changing the interior design industry. Panelists will take questions from the audience via Twitter tweets. Featuring Jackie Von Tobel, Tobi Fairley, Ronda Carman, Brad Ford and Laura Day.
First Friday at Las Vegas Design Center will reacquaint attendees with "The Divas of Design/The Great Lady Decorators 1870 to 1955," Friday, August 6, 10-11 a.m., Building C, floor 1. Author Adam Lewis will share parts of his book, the Great Lady Decorators: The Women Who Defined Interior Design 1870-1955, which is the first book to fully survey the complete history on the subject of the legendary lady designers. Featuring Elsie de Wolfe, Dorothy Draper, Frances Elkins, Syrie Maugham and Mrs. Henry Parish II and others.
Las Vegas Market will be accompanied by the launch the new Gift+Home and VegasKids. Attendees can book discounted rooms online now.