Las Vegas Market to Host Nearly 50 Programs and Events this Summer

July 6, 2022  by Laurie Northington in Business Strategy, Designer Weekly, Industry   

Leading the Summer 2022 slate is Las Vegas Market’s proprietary FIRST LOOK and Ahead of the Curve trend programming, the Science in Design Summit, the Gift + Stationery 40 Under 40 Awards celebration, the 2022 ASID California Central / Nevada Chapter ANDYZ Awards Celebration and furniture retailer sessions presented by the Home Furnishings Association plus 14 CEU-eligible educational sessions.

“With offerings ranging from intensive multi-day seminars to one-hours sessions and tours, Las Vegas Market attendees can engage with our business-building education in the way that best meets their market schedule,” said Dorothy Belshaw, International Market Centers (IMC) executive vice president, chief customer and marketing officer. “Combined with networking events, award ceremonies and after parties in Las Vegas’ top venues, the Las Vegas Market’s summer 2022 programming is the home furnishings and gift industry’s ultimate opportunity for education and celebration.”

Las Vegas Market’s proprietary FIRST LOOK explores current and coming trends through a series of three pre-market and at-market events. FIRST LOOK curator and editor, Julie Smith Vincenti of Nine Muses Media leads a fast-paced webinar, “FIRST LOOK - Summer 2022 Webinar,” presenting the trends and exploring new product, noteworthy collections and best-selling designs as a pre-market planning tool on Wednesday, July 13 at 1:00pm PST (registration via this link). At Market, Vincenti repeats her presentation in-person in “FIRST LOOK - Summer 2022 LIVE at Market Seminar,” exploring new products and the noteworthy trends buyers will spot in showrooms with a special focus on shifting consumer priorities, especially those of Millennials and GenZ shoppers, on Monday, July 25 at 11a.m. Buyers can see FIRST LOOK products in showrooms and the FIRST LOOK trend displays located in The Expo and Building C walkway via the “FIRST LOOK: Summer 2022 Tour” led by Vincenti on Tuesday, July 26 from 12:30-2 p.m. (RSVP required at LasVegasMarket.com/Explore/Events-and-Seminars). 

Las Vegas Market’s proprietary trend programming explores must-have colors and products for the upcoming season. The “Exclusive Insider Preview of Sherwin-Williams Colormix Forecast 2023” features Sherwin-Williams color experts Sue Wadden and Laurie Clark discussing the future drivers influencing color and design trends and research that supports the 2023 forecast on Monday, July 25 at 1 p.m. IMC’s proprietary “Ahead of the Curve” program presents four designers – Eva Bradley and Alicia Cheung Lichtenstein of studioHEIMAT in San Francisco, Sarah Kennedy of CLB Architects in Jackson, Wyo, and Monica Wilcox of M Wilcox Design in Dallas – discussing emerging trends and how to incorporate them plus their favorite market finds in a conversation with Kathryn Given, style director for Luxe Interiors + Design on Tuesday, July 26 at 11 a.m., followed by the “Ahead of the Curve - Meet & Greet” at 12:30 p.m. in the Hubbardton Forge showroom.

Buyers have the opportunity to learn from top design and retail experts via 10 programs over three days of market. 

Designer-focused programming provides inspiration and gives tactical tips for marketing and new revenue streams. In “From Palm Springs to Las Vegas: A Look at Inspired West Coast Design,” Las Vegas Market offers an exclusive look at the Desert Oasis showhouse in Palm Desert, CA, through four of its designers -- Linda Allen of Linda Allen Designs in Las Vegas, Michael Berman of Michael Berman Limited in Los Angeles, Jen Samson of Jen Samson Design in Laguna Beach, CA and Huma Sulaiman of Huma Sulaiman Design in Laguna Beach, CA – who will share how they bring a signature West Coast vibe to their individual projects in a conversation with Diane Falvey, editor-in-chief of Furniture, Lighting & Decor on Sunday, July 24 at noon. “Expert Styling Tips to Showcase your Portfolio to its Finest” presents Better Homes & Gardens National Field Editor and Photo Stylist Shannon Quimby sharing her all-time favorite styling secrets to help designers create an everlasting first impression, visually market to the fullest and ultimately get published on Tuesday, July 26 at 2 p.m. In “5 Ways to Skyrocket your Business with Smart Design of Short-Term Rentals” Jana Uselton, founder of Home Staging and ReDesign Alliance (HSRA) and owner of Business and Leadership Continuing Education, LLC and Model My Home Staging, offers tips and product recommendations to design a Short Term Rental property that not only will look great, but also will be more functional, efficient and lead to more five-start reviews on Wednesday, July 27 at 11 a.m.

Retailer programming gives buyers tools for smart sourcing with content on selecting new vendors and the opportunity to hear from gift and home furnishings veterans. In “Dough - Commerce for Good: The Importance of Values-Based Sourcing” sponsored by JuniperMarket Vanessa Bruce, Juniper by IMC’s VP of Social Impact and founder of Dough – a platform for women-owned brands – leads a panel of emerging makers as they discuss the importance of weighing a brands’ ethics and values when sourcing new vendors and products on Sunday, July 24 at 2 p.m. “Retail Tips From the Stars” features top retailers recognized as Home Accent Today Retail Stars discussing how they manage customer expectations, recruit and retain motivated employees, shop the markets as consumer demand shifts and generally thrive in an increasingly competitive retail landscape in a conversation with HAT Editor-in-Chief Allison Zisko on Monday, July 25 at 1 p.m.

For “Retailer Excellence Award Finalists – Challenged to Thrive!” Gifts & Decorative Accessories brings together 2022 REA finalists to discuss what they have accomplished, what’s next, thoughts on best sellers and merchandising tips in conversation with Editor in Chief Lenise Willis on Tuesday, July 26 at 1 p.m.

New for Summer 2022, Las Vegas Market hosts six seminars over three days as part of the nationwide Science in Design Summit produced in partnership with Visionary Design Marketing. The Summit explores how the convergence of science and design - “neuroaesthetics”- is changing the future of the design industry with evidenced-based presentations around biophilia, human-centric design, the impact of color and cognitive architecture and how all they positively impact health. 

 Science in Design Summit - Part 1 sessions on Sunday, July 24, are “The Science in Design with Mike Peterson” in which Peterson, president of Visionary Design Marketing in Boca Raton, Fla., shares tips for designers to market abilities to improve health at 11 a.m.; and “Designing for the Subliminal Brain: Architecture and Design + the 21st Century Paradigm Shift with Ann Sussman” featuring architect, biometric researcher, speaker and author Sussman exploring design shifts over the past 100 years at noon.

 Science in Design Summit - Part 2 sessions on Monday, July 25, are “Beauty, Neuroscience and Architecture: How Classic Patterns Align with Beauty to Improve Health with Don Ruggles” featuring the architect and CEO of Ruggles Mabe Studio Architecture and Interior Design in Denver teaching the historic influences of classic patterns and why and how beauty can heal at 3 p.m.; and “The Power of Nature and Sustainability in Design with Mark Phillips, Phillips Collection” led by Phillips, president and CEO of furniture and décor brand Phillips Collection sharing how nature provides the design inspiration for improved health at home.

 Science in Design Summit – Part 3 sessions on Tuesday, July 26, are “The Human NEED for Nature with Mike Peterson & Nuria Munoz, Director Habitarmonia” presented by Peterson and Certified Biophilic Designer Munoz exploring the healing benefits of biophilic design, the power of fractal beauty and applying biophilic design at 10 a.m. and “The Human Color Experience with Benjamin Moore” featuring representatives from the paint company discussing the physical and emotional responses to color that shape color preferences, teach how the eye and brain process color and identify the elements that create emotional reactions to color.

 Additionally, the “Conversations with Science in Design - Cocktail Event” is an opportunity for attendees to meet the Science in Design speakers and network on Monday, July 25, at 5 p.m. in the Phillips Collection showroom.

Tickets for the Science in Design Summit are $40 per day. Hospitality is provided. Registration is at https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/the-science-in-design-summit-international-tour-las-vegas-market-tickets-302673985037?keep_tld=1. 

Las Vegas Market hosts three awards ceremonies and gatherings for the design and gift industries in Summer 2022

The California Central/Nevada Chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) and the Las Vegas Design Center (LVDC) host a series of three events on Sunday, July 24 around the annual ANDYZ Awards which recognize exceptional interior design across 12 different residential, contract and student categories. Programming kicks off at 2 p.m., with “Design for Good: Opportunities for Positive Impact Going Forward!” presented by Kari Stringfellow, vice president of Member Experience for ASID National, discussing new opportunities after the pandemic, the business of design, design as an industry, social media and more with a panel of to-be-announced designers. The “2022 ANDYZ Awards Celebration” at 3:30 p.m. highlights the best projects by interior designers, architects, and design students throughout the western regions of the United States in a ceremony hosted by David Gebhardt, owner, and Frederick Rayner, COO, of Global Views and sponsored by Furniture, Lighting & Décor. The celebration continues at the “ANDYZ Afterparty & Book Signing with Frederick Rayner” when Rayner will sign his new book On First Looking: A Journey into the World of Home Furnishings at 5 p.m. in the Global Views showroom.

Gift Shop Plus and Stationery Trends magazines return to Las Vegas Market to honor 40 young professionals at the “Gift + Stationery 40 Under 40 Awards - Meet + Greet Celebration” to be held in-person on Sunday, July 24, at 4:30 p.m. A casual cocktail reception will be followed by the awards presentation recognizing the 40 honorees who are the new generation of shop owners, managers, stationers, company founders and more making countless contributions to the gift industry. Gift Shop Plus and Stationery Trends also will host a fundraiser to support Gift for Life’s "Come Together" efforts to raise funds in support of World Central Kitchen and crisis-related hunger relief, encouraging $40 donations at the event in honor of the winners. All “Come Together” fundraising will be directed to World Central Kitchen’s (WCK) #ChefsForUkraine program which has served more than 27 million meals across eight countries since Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24th, 2022. To donate, visit https://donate.wck.org/40U40.

GC Buying Group hosts a festive “Sip & Shop” meet-up for members and all market attendees interested in housewares and gourmet product on Monday, July 25 from 3-6 p.m. in the Expo. The event introduces the GCX: Expo and Education event set to launch at Las Vegas Market in Winter 2023.

 Guided tours through Las Vegas Market’s three showroom buildings and temporary exhibits in the Expo at World Market Center Las Vegas are a key element of Summer 2022 programming with some six cross-category tours scheduled over two days.

“Attendee 101: Orientation & Tour” is an overview of Las Vegas Market with IMC Buyer Services Team Lead JD Whitehead on Sunday, July 24 from 10-11:30 a.m. “PRODUCT TOUR of RESA's #LVMkt Showrooms” provides insider tips for home stagers to navigate Las Vegas Market with Shell Brodnax, CEO of the Real Estate Staging Association (RESA) on Sunday, July 24 from 10-11:30 a.m. “Lighting the Way with Linda Allen – Lighting Highlights Tour” explores lighting innovations at Las Vegas Market with Linda Allen of Linda Allen Designs in Las Vegas and Live Anywhere Wireless Lighting on Monday, July 25 from noon-1 p.m. “Expedition Expo! With Kelli, Keith & Evan” is a tour of favorite finds in the Las Vegas Market temporary exhibits with HGTV's Bargain Block Keith Bynum and Evan Thomas, founders of NINE Design + Homes and Kelli Lamb, editorial director of Rue Magazine Monday, July 25 from 2-3:30 p.m. This tour is followed by the “Home with Rue: Style for Everyone Book Signing with Kelli Lamb” at 3:30 p.m., and all tour attendees will receive a free copy. “ASID Industry Partner Market Tour” visits the ASID industry partner showrooms with members from the California Central/Nevada Chapter and other chapters throughout the region on Monday, July 25 from 3-5 p.m. All tours require at RSVP at LasVegasMarket.com/Explore/Events-and-Seminars.

Las Vegas Market again partners with the Home Furnishings Association (HFA) to present some 13 seminars over three days in the HFA Retailer Resource Center, Building B, B-1050. The programming provides actionable tips on a range of topics including marketing, logistics, value-adds, team management and more. Sessions are offered at no cost and are open to all Las Vegas Market attendees. 

Programming begins on Sunday, July 24 with five sessions. “Cutting Through The Clutter: Effective Ways to Activate a Sales Promotion” explores developing custom promotions to increase customer engagement and boost brand awareness at 9 a.m. “3 Ways to Enable Your Sales Associates to Drive Repeat Business” shares three specific ways to enable sales associates for success at 10:30 a.m. “Advanced Digital Marketing Techniques: Learn About Your Competitors” teaches retailers how to find out what competitors are doing with digital ads and explores advanced digital advertising products at 1 p.m. “In Synch with your Customers” looks at the macro forces affecting consumers and the marketplace including such topics as: shifting consumer values, the climate economy, the social commerce revolution and the role and importance of payment products in consumer decision making at 2:30 p.m. “The Connection Between Culture & Employee Retention” shares ways to reduce employee turnover by creating a culture that employees don’t want to leave at 4 p.m.

Some five sessions are scheduled for Monday, July 25. “Using 3D to Create the Ultimate Hybrid Shopping Experience and Sell More Online” explores how furniture retailers are using 3D online, in-store, and as a part of their remote customer support offering to improve the hybrid customer experience and amplify sales at 9 a.m. “A Brand Conscious Home Delivery Experience Starts with Drivers” reviews important factors for a well-supported home delivery program at 10:30 a.m.

“Automation is the Key to Business Efficiencies” explores how business are using automated workflows to accomplish more with less resources at 1 p.m. “Cut Through the Visual Merchandising Noise and Drive Conversion” shares practical tips to produce content that matters to the consumer at 2:30 p.m. “Best Practices for eCommerce Fraud Prevention” teaches how to implement an end-to-end, adaptable fraud prevention solution that will optimize security while creating a strong base for customer loyalty at 4 p.m. 

The final day of programming is Tuesday, July 26 with three sessions. “Furniture Protection Plan Strategy and Analysis” presents case studies of successful furniture protection plans at 9 a.m. “The Inventory Journey Through Your Business” offers tips for effective inventory management at 10:30 a.m. “Learn How Evolving Customers Want to Shop for Goods” discusses the impact of tech-driven flexible payments on new customer acquisition, POS conversion, average order size, repeat customer rates and more at 1 p.m.

 Las Vegas Market encourages attendees to celebrate gathering again and to enjoy the best of the city through official after-market events. The Market Kick Off Party offers music and drinks in the World Market Center Courtyard on Sunday, July 24 from 5-7 p.m. Three official Market After Parties take place at nightclubs through Las Vegas. Attendees receive complimentary entry with a market badge from 10:30 p.m. – 1 a.m. at Marquee Nightclub at The Cosmopolitan Hotel on Sunday, July 24 and Wednesday, July 26; Omnia Nightclub at Caesars Palace Las Vegas Hotel & Casino on Tuesday, July 26; and TAO Nightclub at The Venetian Resort on Thursday, July 28.