Vegas Furniture Buyer Attendance ‘On Par’ with Last Summer

August 10, 2017  by Larry Thomas in Industry, Las Vegas, Market, Special Events   

Market organizers didn’t release specific attendance figures, but said all categories were aided by increasing support from the interior design community, noting that attendance included buyers from all 50 states and 79 countries.

“Las Vegas Market’s record growth has generated industry attention and advocacy, driving increased interest and turnout from new buyers, as well as repeat attendance by retailers and designers already familiar with the Market,” said Robert Maricich, CEO of International Market Centers. “As the nation’s fastest growing gift market and the leading furniture and home decor market in the western United States, Las Vegas Market is delivering on its promise to create an exceptional customer experience for buyers and suppliers alike. We seek to raise the bar for our customers every market, and this market was no exception.”

He said the highest number of buyers came from California, Nevada, Arizona, Texas and Utah, while leading international countries represented were Canada, Mexico, China, Panama and Colombia.

The Summer Market included 72 new and expanded permanent showrooms, more than 150 first-time exhibitors within Pavilions and a total of more than 500 temporary exhibitors, and a record number of nearly 40 buying groups and associations drawing groups of their members to shop the whole home and gift product offering.

Officials said the outdoor furniture category also continued to gain strength, supported by a 12% increase in the number of buyers indicating they were shopping casual/outdoor while at Las Vegas Market.

The majority of the interior designers who attend Las Vegas Market come from California, Arizona and Nevada, but officials said there were notable increases in designer attendees from the Midwest, Northeast and TOLA (Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Arkansas) regions for summer market.

The Midwest region registered an increase of 11%, while the northeast designer attendees increased by 25%. The TOLA region registered an increase of 32% among designer attendees, reinforcing the expanding geographic reach of the market.

Maricich reiterated that Las Vegas Market will continue to serve its customers with a variety of home furnishings and gift product offerings, as well as educational presentations and seminars.

“With IMC’s recently announced acquisition by the Blackstone Group, there are now new opportunities – and funding – for Las Vegas Market to grow, buy, build and expand in ways not possible before,” Maricich said. “The Blackstone Group and IMC teams will be working together to move forward with a goal of continuing and expanding Las Vegas Market’s dominant West Coast positioning as a truly comprehensive, effective, and efficient market destination.”

The Las Vegas Winter Market will take place Jan. 28-Feb. 1.