Las Vegas Market Reports Uptick in Number of International Buyers & Exhibitors

Furniture World Magazine

More of the world has come to the Summer Las Vegas Market this week, as evidenced with an increase in both international buyers and exhibiting companies. International attendees coming from 116 countries, up from 80 countries as reported last market, account for eight percent of total registrations at Las Vegas Market. This represents 60 percent of the countries in the world. Exhibitors throughout Las Vegas Market have also commented on the dramatic increase of international buyers, especially from Europe, Australia, Mexico, Canada and the Middle East. “International business is exploding in Las Vegas,” said Douglas Furniture’s Rick Parker. “Not only have we seen more international buyers this market than ever before, but we’ve written significant orders from these companies – the best numbers in the history of our business. This phenomenon has created the impetus for us to address the international market more seriously. We plan to pursue new export strategies and expand our international business as a result of what we’ve experienced here this week.” On the exhibitor side, Las Vegas Market officials report that 308 non-U.S. manufacturers, or 20 percent of the Market, are among the 1,500 showing here this week – which makes July’s Market the largest contingent for international exhibiting companies, too. Of 308 international tenants, nearly half, or 143, are from Europe, followed by Canada with 59 tenants or 19 percent; Latin America, 50 companies for 17 percent; and Asia with 55 companies accounting for 18 percent of the total international presence. Over 80 percent of the foreign-based exhibitors at Las Vegas Market are from non-Asian countries; virtually half of the foreign-based exhibitors are from Europe. “Our international contingent is healthy and growing” says Tim Branscome, Director of International Business Development for World Market Center, “The European presence in exhibitors is by far the greatest with exhibitors from Canada, Latin America and Asian showing in about the same percentages.” “World Market Center is an international market and our mission is to be the global stage in the U.S. for manufacturers world-wide. We want to ensure that our buyers have as wide of a selection of product to choose from when shopping at our Market. This means design, price, and geographic origin. We want a well-rounded selection from the entire home furnishings universe,” added Branscome. To accomplish this, World Market Center officials focus their resources on creating strategic alliances with trade fair organizers and associations around the globe to bring “shows within show” and significant brands to the U.S. market, many times for the first time. July’s Market includes the summer edition of Interior Lifestyle USA, which showcases a wide spectrum of high-end companies from 14 countries. It features the best ideas, product lines and exhibitors from Europe’s hugely successful Heimtextil and Ambiente shows. Enhancing the look and feel of Interior Lifestyle will be a special showcase, “Design Plus,” that will inspire designers and retailers by providing an eclectic and contemporary collection of unique European products. Also from Germany, the Interior Trends exhibition by Koeln Messe, which was developed by a group of international experts and spotlights four themes focusing on different consumer trends. The international crowd traveling to Las Vegas is not solely Europeans, however. Other areas of the globe are also impacting trends and inspiration at Las Vegas Market. For example, new to Market is a 6,900-square-foot Brazilian Pavilion, where 16 companies are highlighting the country’s trend-setting styles and showcase dining rooms, accent furniture, leather and fabric sofas, and home theatre furnishings. Furthermore, a group of more than 12 Mexican manufacturers are displaying original pieces of decorative art, gifts and handcrafts at Las Vegas Convention Center. Another section of the show at Las Vegas Convention Center where attendees will be able to experience design trends and European influences that will certainly shape our future is IDOT –“Italian Design on Tour,” – showcasing 10,000 square feet of the best in Italian furniture design. Branscome noted that international exhibitors have helped to drive the Market’s overall growth. “They recognize Las Vegas Market as the leading trade fair in the U.S. with international appeal, and prefer the July show due to a number of conflicting European events in January,” he said. For more information on Las Vegas Market and to find out about leasing or exhibiting opportunities, visit the website or call 888-WMC-SHOW (962-7469).