World Market Center Announces Year-Round Hospitality Marketplace

May 12, 2008  by in UnCategorized   

By Home Furnishings Business in Las Vegas on May 2008 The World Market Center announced plans Monday to expand its Las Vegas Design Center by devoting an entire floor in Building C to the hospitality industry.

Officials said 15 percent of World Market Center exhibitors are already selling to hospitality channels, and Hospitality at Las Vegas Design Center is being designed to serve as a year-round marketplace when it opens in 2009.

“Las Vegas represents the recognized epicenter of the hospitality industry. We’re excited to announce our plans for this extension of the Las Vegas Design Center to include a dedicated area for permanent hospitality showrooms,” said Bob Maricich, president and CEO, World Market Center, Las Vegas. “Hospitality at Las Vegas Design Center will serve as an invaluable year-round resource for developers, architects, designers, specifiers and all decision makers in the hospitality purchasing process. Additionally, Las Vegas, with its unprecedented culinary experiences and world-class hotels has become an international destination for professionals in the industry.”

He said the new hospitality area will provide opportunities for other tenants seeking to grow into new markets.

Monday’s announcement stated that Hospitality at Las Vegas Design Center will offer professionals a one-stop resource where they will be able to meet vendors, see complete product lines and bring their clients to approve models in an easy-to-access destination that will be open throughout the year. More than 150,000 square feet of showroom space is planned, as well as state-of-the-art features that specifically address the needs of designers, including model viewing and presentation rooms, a comprehensive resource center and library, a fully equipped business center and other amenities.

The announcement quoted several hospitality industry professionals saying the facility will be an asset in working with clients and improve efficiency.

To celebrate its expansion, the World Market Center and 100 of its tenants catering to the hospitality industry will hold a launch party Thursday, May 15, featuring the band Big Bad Voodoo Daddy. The event in the atrium of Building B will begin with a cocktail event at 4 p.m., with Big Bad Bad Voodoo Daddy’s performance at 7:30 p.m. Nearly 70 showrooms will be open May 15–17.