Las Vegas Market to Highlight Sustainable Products Educational Series

Furniture World News

World Market Center Las Vegas, the world’s fastest growing home furnishings event, and the Sustainable Furniture Council are partnering on a series of Retailer-focused educational seminars during the Las Vegas Market, to be held January 28 – February 1, 2008. The Brave New World Environmental Leadership Education Series calls for an “expression of interest” from forward-thinking retailers who are interested in stepping up to take a leadership position in education about sustainable home furnishings to: - Consumers - Sales staff - Existing suppliers - New suppliers - Service Providers The events are open to Buyers, Suppliers, Designers, Media and industry service providers and are designed to provide key information and proven strategies for effective change with a focus on long term consumer and supplier education. These seminars will position participating retailers at the forefront of the sustainable furniture movement. “If you are a retailer who is looking to transform your business to a more environmentally friendly model then you know that credible large scale education is the cornerstone for effective change,” said Margaret Casey, Programming Director for World Market Center. “The US furniture industry generates $60 billion in retail but 80 percent of furniture ends up in landfills, an amount equivalent of 500,000 semi truckloads,” added Casey. According to Mike Italiano, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Institute for Market Transformation to Sustainability (MTS), “The race is on and the best margins go to the early adopters. Certified sustainable products increase manufacturer and retailer profitability. Recent figures show the sustainable products market is exploding with 20 -75 percent long term annual growth in Certified Organic products, Certified Green Buildings and Homes, FSC Certified Wood and Certified Sustainable Products.” Italiano adds, “Companies who credibly promote certified sustainable products with qualified nonprofit groups will assert their competitive advantage and make the most money. The Federal Trade Commission Surveys show over 90 percent of consumers will buy the sustainable product if the quality is as good as conventional.” “Market forces have created a perfect storm for certified sustainable products with consumer awareness at an all-time high," added Casey, who is also co-chair of the Sustainable Furniture Council’s marketing committee. “No major furniture company has yet claimed a broad eco-friendly position, leaving an opportunity for a retailer with the right philosophical commitment to lead the way." To learn more about the program or to inquire about further participation in the series of seminars, contact Margaret Casey, Director of Programming for World Market Center, at (702) 292-3112 or margaret.casey@lasvegasmarket.com. About World Market Center World Market Center is an integrated home and hospitality contract furnishings showroom and trade complex in Las Vegas. When fully built, at 12 million square feet in 8 buildings, World Market Center will be the largest trade show complex in the world. The $3 billion, state-of-the-art campus will showcase furniture, decorative accessories, lighting, area rugs, home textile and related segments, as well as the Las Vegas Design Center (LVDC) open year-round to the trade. World Market Center produces the semi-annual Las Vegas Market, held every January and July, and is the fastest growing home furnishings trade show in the world. World Market Center is now leasing the third building to a broad cross-section of the home furnishings industry. The Winter 2008 Las Vegas Market is scheduled for January 28 to February 1, 2008 at World Market Center’s Buildings A, B and Pavilions and tradeshow at the MGM Grand Hotel. For more information World Market Center, and to find out about leasing or exhibiting opportunities, visit the website at www.LasVegasMarket.Com or call 888-WMC-SHOW (962-7469).