World Market Center Expands Inaugural Las Vegas Market By 40 Percent

Furniture World Magazine

World Market Center officials announced that they have expanded the size of the first Las Vegas Market in July 2005 by 40 percent. The country’s largest new home furnishings Market, underway in Las Vegas, will now encompass 2.3 million square feet of permanent and temporary exhibition space, up from the 1.6 million square feet that was originally planned. The expansion will be satisfied through an additional 630,000 square feet of exhibition space, contracted at Las Vegas Convention Center, with provisions to add more space as needed. With this expansion plan, officials also announced the Market will take place July 25-29, 2005 in order to accommodate this overflow and maximize available convention space in Las Vegas. "We are thrilled by the tremendous demand for space at Las Vegas Market," said World Market Center’s General Manager Dave Palmer, “and decided it would be advantageous to our Market and to our exhibitors to expand the offering.” “With this development, we are creating a larger, better experience for the buyer. The more exhibitors, the more critical mass, the more successful our Market will be,” Palmer added. “Having grown our debut event by 40 percent, before even opening the facility, is an example of the kind of impact Las Vegas is having on the home furnishings industry.” World Market Center officials say they have been evaluating solutions to accommodate overflow for several months. However, it is the success of the pre-leasing effort for Phases Two and Three that have created the opportunity for accelerated growth. “The demand for space among temporary exhibitors has always been very strong,” said Director of Leasing Babs Blair. “However, what is now perfectly clear is how much our permanent tenants in the next phases want to be a part of our inaugural Market. They do not want to miss the most highly-anticipated industry event. It will be a dynamic Market and we are so pleased that we will be able to add more resources for the buyers.” Blair said that Phase Two and Three tenants will likely have the first opportunity to locate at the temporary exhibition space on campus, known as World Pavilions and consisting of 345,000 square feet. World Pavilions is adjacent to Phase One, the 1.3 million square foot permanent facility currently under construction. In all, World Market Center expects to host as many as 700 exhibitors for the first Las Vegas Market as a result of this expansion. To link World Market Center’s campus with the Las Vegas Convention Center, a continuous shuttle program will be offered each day of Market. This is in addition to the already planned shuttles to and from individual hotel properties. The new dates for Las Vegas Market, July 25-29 2005, also coincide with the Association of Woodworking & Furnishings Suppliers® trade show, the  AWFS®Fair, which will have its inaugural Las Vegas show at the Las Vegas Convention Center, July 27-30, (relocating from Anaheim, Calif. where it was held for the past 2 decades). Now known as AWFS®Vegas, this show will feature over 800,000 sq. ft. of machinery and supplies for the woodworking and furnishings industries and is projected to draw approximately 30,000 industry professionals.  “There is a synergy between World Market Center and the AWFS®Fair and we believe co-locating at the Convention Center will have a positive impact on both events,” said Palmer. This week Las Vegas Market also launched its newly re-designed website www.LasVegasMarket.com and its on-line registration program. The new site delivers high-style with high-functionality, and gives both buyers and exhibitors the tools and information they need to successfully plan for the first Las Vegas Market. Construction of World Market Center is ahead of schedule, with completion of the first building and tenant build-outs expected by May 2005. Phase One will feature permanent showrooms showcasing furniture, decorative accessories, lighting, area rugs, bedding, floral and related segments, as well as a Design Center open year-round to members of the trade.  For leasing information for Phase Two and Three, contact Babs Blair or Russell Blair at (888) 416-8600 or Julie Schwartz at (214) 234-0122, or visit www.LasVegasMarket.com.