Continuing its growth trajectory, the winter 2014 Las Vegas Market (held from 26-30th January at World Market Center Las Vegas) hosted the biggest and best-attended market in its nine-year history.
Record-breaking gains in both attendance - with 21% more buyers and 850,000 more sqft of resources than last winter - firmly cemented the market's position as a leading furniture, home decor and gift market in the western US.
"Las Vegas Market is growing both resources and attendance at an exponential rate, and this winter marked the largest market in our history," says Bob Maricich, CEO, International Market Centers. "In the last 12 months, we have aggregated existing resources, added new categories and floors and increased participation of local and regional sales representatives, all of which has sparked momentum."
While the market experienced overall attendance gains of 21%, growth in the gift category was most dramatic, with 90% increases over last year. Notable increases in both home decor and furniture - of 21% and 17% respectively - also contributed to the energy and buzz at the winter edition.
"In the last 12 months, we have aggregated existing resources, added new categories and floors and increased participation of local and regional sales representatives, all of which has sparked momentum"
World Market Center reports that leasing activity has been robust in the last 12 months, bringing 1200 new home decor, furniture and gift resources to Las Vegas Market in both permanent showrooms and temporary presentations. In total, 850,000sqft of resources - 500,000 from gift and home decor and 350,000 from furniture - has been added since winter 2013. Additionally, the number of temporary exhibitors has increased by 10% in just one year, with a record 340 gift and home decor exhibitors showcased on three floors in Building C and 80 furniture exhibitors featured on B2 at the winter 2014 Market.
Winter market highlights included the introduction of a new Sunday-Thursday date pattern, debut of new and expanded showroom resources and the launch of three new temporary exhibit categories. In addition to the exponential gains in resources, the market also offered participants a wide range of market amenities, networking event and educational programming, including the second annual Las Vegas Market CEO Summit.
The summer market will run from 27th-31st July, 2014, at World Market Center Las Vegas.
