Kathy Ireland Hosts Military Families During Las Vegas Market(SM)

Furniture World Magazine

Kathy Ireland, CEO and chief designer for Kathy Ireland Worldwide, whose company mission statement is "... finding solutions for families, especially busy moms" took time from her busy schedule at the Las Vegas Market to show her appreciation to approximately 20 military families with spouses deployed overseas in the military. Ireland treated the women and their children to a catered luncheon at World Market Center on Feb. 2 and gifted them with children's books she wrote and narrated along with her first book, Powerful Inspirations, which is now in its fifth printing. One of the women -- a mother of two who works full time and is a full-time student -- said, "It was exciting to be here at World Market Center having lunch with Kathy. Most of the time, the military spouses never get recognition. This is awesome because what we do is the hardest job ever. Our main job is to keep our families safe and secure so our spouses don't have to worry." First lieutenant Brooke Davis, public affairs officer for Nellis Air Force Base, said the women and their children were excited to meet Kathy and to visit World Market Center. "This was a wonderful opportunity and we are very grateful to Kathy," Davis said. Ireland commended the women and children, saying, "My appreciation for you is etched deeply upon my heart." World Market Center Chief Operating Officer Gerry Sawyer joined Ireland in visited with the families. Sawyer, a Colonel and former commander of Nellis AFB, spoke to the families of the deployed service members from Nellis. "I thanked them not only for their service, but for that of their spouses who are fighting to not only protect our country from terrorist attack, but are rebuilding a country to allow families just like them to have equality, education, freedom, and self determination," Sawyer said. "They have a support infrastructure that extends beyond the military. Kathy Ireland and World Market Center appreciate and support their role in keeping our nation safe. The airmen are fighting abroad and the families are keeping the home front going so their spouses can do their jobs without distraction." Susan Robinson, director of the Family Support Center for Nellis Air Force Base, said, "We are always pleased when our military families get the opportunity to interact with the public and to socialize with one another. We are so grateful to Kathy for recognizing our military and their families." Ireland was in Las Vegas for the Las Vegas Market, where she had six showrooms displaying everything from furniture and home office products to rugs, lighting and accessories. The Winter Las Vegas Market(SM) was held Jan. 30 - Feb. 3, 2006 at World Market Center and the Pavilions. The temporary exhibits at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center opened Tuesday, Jan. 31 and ran through Feb. 3. World Market Center is an integrated home and hospitality contract furnishings showroom and convention complex in Las Vegas. When fully built, at 12 million square feet in eight buildings, World Market Center will be the largest trade show facility in the world showcasing furniture, decorative accessories, lighting, area rugs, home textile and related segments, as well as a Design Center open year-round to the trade. The second building is under construction and will open in 2007; officials are now leasing the third building to a broad cross-section of the home furnishings industry. For more information on Las Vegas Market, and to find out about leasing or exhibiting opportunities, visit www.lasvegasmarket.com or call 888-WMC-SHOW (962-7469). Attendees can send inquires to the Buyer Services dept. at buyers@lasvegasmarket.com. To learn more about Ireland and her brand, visit www.kathyireland.com