Temporary Exhibit Space for July Las Vegas Market Grows by Nearly 70 percent

Furniture World News

When home furnishings industry professionals and interior designers from around the world descend on the Summer Las Vegas MarketSM next month, they will discover an event that is both bigger and better than ever. More than 1,500 exhibitors will showcase products and design concepts July 24-28, 2006 at World Market Center, the Pavilions adjacent to World Market Center and Las Vegas Convention Center in what will be the largest, most diverse Market yet. The temporary exhibits, which will be on display in the Las Vegas Convention Center, will be close to 70 percent bigger than those at Mandalay Bay’s January temporary show. Attendees will also find new features and expanded shuttle service in Las Vegas this July. In fact, with nearly 2.6 million square feet of permanent showrooms and temporary exhibits, the July 2006 Market will be the biggest Las Vegas Market ever, said Dave Palmer, General Manager of World Market Center. “Buyers will encounter more exhibitors and diverse product variety spanning over all price levels and styles at Las Vegas Convention Center, opening on Tuesday, July 25 in the South Halls,” Palmer noted. Market officials cite a number of reasons Las Vegas Market is experiencing significant growth. Chief among these is that World Market Center is serving the needs of both the buyers and exhibitors. “Buyers want to be able to access the entire spectrum of goods in a single market, and have seen first hand that Las Vegas is a new product Market where virtually all exhibitors introduce new products,” Palmer said. “We’ve managed to grow by close to 70 percent because we are responsive to both retailers and manufacturers. The industry has been yearning for this new platform for years. Attendees are enjoying uncovering a variety of new resources, the progressive ‘new market’ approach, and of course the excitement and ease of doing business in Las Vegas.” Displaying merchandise in every category including furniture, bedding, decorative accessories, lighting, home office, floral, area rugs, textile, tabletop and more, from domestic and global suppliers, World Market Center presents an integrated campus of permanent and temporary showrooms and includes a Design Center open year-round. “Exhibitors who have participated in our past Markets have already seen the return on exhibiting here in terms of exposure and access to new buyers. Las Vegas also has proven to be a serious order-writing Market for buyers,” Palmer said. These include an audience of retailers, department stores, interior designers, architects, contractors, hospitality contract representatives, corporate specifiers and other members of the home and hospitality contract industries. Palmer added, “The fact that we offer a truly international platform also has unprecedented appeal for buyers. And international suppliers have also quickly gained access to new markets by participating in our show.” In addition to getting bigger, the Market continues to get better as well. Responding to attendee feedback, the home furnishings industry’s most exciting new marketplace will also feature several enhancements and new attractions. Palmer said one of the most exciting features at the summer Market will be the “shows within shows” at Market, which will include the both the new Vegas Gift and Accessory show and the Interior Lifestyle show. Vegas Gift and Accessory will provide a one-stop destination for gift buyers and suppliers with exhibits including tabletop, stationary, candles, frames, vases and garden. “As the lines blur between decorative accessories and gifts, furniture retailers continue to see this area as a natural fit,” says Babs Blair, Director of Leasing. “We also expect a new influx of gift buyers. July is a good time to see and purchase these types of products in order for retailers to round out their holiday and seasonal merchandising needs.” Buyers should also expect an expanded international infusion at the summer Market, including the summer edition of Interior Lifestyle USA, which will showcase 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. By focusing on international, innovative and trend-oriented products, Interior Lifestyle has become the premier destination for professionals looking for high-end home décor. 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. Other sections 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, include: IDOT –“Italian Design on Tour,” showcasing 10,000 square feet of the best in Italian furniture design. 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. Palmer 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 competing European events in January,” he said. The international crowd traveling to Las Vegas is not solely Europeans. Other areas of the globe are also impacting trends and inspiration. For example, new to the upcoming Market is a 6,900-square-foot Brazilian Pavilion, where 16 companies will highlight the country’s trend-setting styles and showcase dining rooms, accent furniture, leather and fabric sofas, and home theatre furnishings. Furthermore, Canaco – a stunning exhibit slated for the new gift section – will showcase a number of very high-end Mexican companies. In addition to the new enhancments, attendees will also find inspiration in some of the successful features from past Markets. Most importantly, they will visit the Design Gallery, a juried exhibit area featuring products and displays that highlight up-and-coming trends. The Design Gallery features a broad cross-section of new and exciting products that are hand-selected for this first-class showcase. The Futon Association and Specialty Sleep Association will relocate from the World Market Center Pavilions to Las Vegas Convention Center, featuring an expanded line-up of new companies. At Las Vegas Convention Center, buyers will also find expanded international service and exhibit areas; expanded lighting, juvenile and distinct product neighborhoods for shopping ease and convenience. At the entrance of the main building downtown, a new octagon-shaped pavilion referred to as “Market Oasis,” will feature of a number of conveniences for Market attendees. Booths and information about industry associations, concierge services, shuttles and hotels will be available, along with hosting a service center and registration for international buyers. Also new and enhanced are Market services and buyer amenities, including live entertainment daily, more plentiful food and beverage options, quick registration, a new, streamlined website and registration process, and an additional Internet Lounge in the Pavilions. To register and book hotels rooms for Las Vegas Market, visit www.LasVegasMarket.com or call 888-WMC-SHOW (962-7469). Las Vegas Market takes place July 24-28 at World Market Center and Pavilions; the Temporaries will be located at the Las Vegas Convention Center and open on July 25. In all, the July 2006 Market will be the largest Las Vegas Market yet with nearly 2.6 million square feet of permanent and temporary exhibits.