World Market Center Reports Record Market

August 8, 2007  by in UnCategorized   

By Home Furnishings Business in Las Vegas on August 2007 In post-show report issued Wednesday, the World Market Center said the recent Las Vegas Market set a record as its largest event to date, occupying more than 3.8 million square feet of permanent and temporary exhibit space.

In addition, show organizers said attendance surpassed what the announcement called “the historical average of 50,000 registered attendees,” and the event saw an increase of Top 100 retailers, with 75 percent of those companies represented. In addition, the July 30 to Aug. 3 event saw 10,000 retailers and designers attending for the first time. The number of international buyers increased 27 percent. Among exhibitors, there were 250 companies showing at the Market for the first time.

“This Summer Market outpaced the expectations among exhibitors, not to mention delivered so many new facets for buyers and designers looking for the latest in products, trends and education,” said General Manager Dave Palmer.

In its announcement, World Market Center officials said Building C, which bustled with construction activity throughout the Summer Market, is on pace for its planned July 2008 opening. The 16-story building, which will cost $550 million, will house more than 400 showrooms, and virtually every space in the structure is spoken for through signed leases and commitments. ”With World Market Center quickly becoming the preferred market for U.S. and international buyers, the demand among manufacturers continues to escalate” said Babs Blair, vice president of leasing. “We are pleased to have commitments and interest for the entire building.”