Daily News
From Home Furnishing Business
Vegas Market Sets Records for Attendance, Exhibitors
February 2,
2017 by Larry Thomas in Industry, Las Vegas, Market, Special Events 
Las Vegas Market officials said last month’s Winter Market was its largest ever, surpassing last winter’s all-time high in attendance and number of exhibitors.
The market didn’t release specific attendance figures, but said it recorded a 13% increase in gift buyer attendance and a 3% jump in the number of interior designers.
In addition, market officials said there was an increase in buyer attendance from the Midwest (6%), Southeast (9%) and Northeast (14%).
“Across the board, this was the busiest Las Vegas Market since we launched more than ten years ago,” said Robert Maricich, CEO of International Market Centers. “Winter market certainly reflected the overall health of the industry, with heightened business activity reported from showrooms across the furniture, home décor and gift categories.”
Buyers from all 50 states and some 80 countries attended the market. Within the United States, the highest attendance came from California, Nevada, Texas, Arizona and Washington, he said.
He said the market had a record total of 4,003 exhibitors, and 170,000 square feet of new and expanded showroom space debuting in January. Included in that total was 55,000 square feet of new and expanded furniture showrooms in Buildings A and B.
In addition, Maricich said there was significant growth in the gift and home décor categories, including more than 500 gift and home lines that showed in temporary exhibit space in The Pavilions.
Coming off Winter Market’s record-setting performance, he said anticipation is high for the Summer Market, which is scheduled for July 30 - Aug. 3.
In addition to continued expansion, summer market highlights will include the annual “Up on the Roof” gala charity event benefiting Gift For Life; the third annual Andyz design awards, recognizing the year’s best interior design projects; Ahead of the Curve, presenting a design influencer’s view of market; and the exclusive First Look trend presentation spotlighting directional trends with the best new-to-market products.
“With a strong start right out of the gate in 2017, we anticipate further growth for our Summer market,” said Maricich. “As we continue to add categories and resources across furniture, home décor and gift, more buyers are seeing the tangible value our market provides – a one-stop-shop with unlimited opportunities to ‘Discover the Extraordinary’.”