Attendance Up at Las Vegas Gift/Resort Show

SEPTEMBER 2011 LAS VEGAS SOUVENIR & RESORT GIFT SHOW RECORDS 21.4% ATTENDANCE INCREASE; ATTRACTS INDUSTRY'S PREMIER RETAILERS 

The National Souvenir Show's Expanded Selection, Extended Date Pattern,$15.99 Hotel Rates Attract Increasing Numbers Of Buyers From Around Country

By the Las Vegas Souvenir and Resort Gift Show
The September 20-23, 2011 edition of the Las Vegas Souvenir and Resort Gift Show recorded a 21.4 % increase in attendance over the 2010 edition. Drawn by the show's extensive, targeted product selection, show-sponsored hotel rates starting as low as $15.99, and a growing reputation as the "must-attend" national industry event, souvenir and resort buyers from casinos, theme parks, museums, zoos, aquariums and premier tourist destinations flocked to the sixth annual edition at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

"This marks the show's third straight year of significant attendance increases and I attribute this growth to the wonderful feedback we continue to receive from our exhibitors and buyers," explains Doug Miller, president, Urban Expositions. "When we launched this show six years ago, our goal was to create a national event that truly catered to the specialized business needs of the souvenir and resort industry. From requests to extend the show dates, to input on ways to fine-tine and enhance the show floor selection, we have worked hard to act upon industry suggestions to ensure that we are offering the very best possible business and networking event."

More than 20% larger than the 2010 edition, the 2011 Las Vegas Souvenir & Resort Gift Show was extended from three to four days to give buyers the extra time needed to explore new resources after completing long appointments and detailed product development meetings with vendors. Bringing together more than 1000 booths, the show highlighted the newest designs and introductions from top-name brands and innovative newcomers in destination, resort and tourist merchandise, souvenirs, t-shirts, beach items, coastal and nautical, lake, mountain and lodge, ski-themed products, logo products, shell items, giftware, jewelry/fashion accessories, toys/games and more.The additional time and expanded selection received rave reviews from attending retailers.

"We love working this show and the extra day has been a tremendous benefit," explained Terri Scheunemann, Como Zoo & Conservatory, St . Paul, MN. "The show's timing is also perfect in that it gives us time for product development for the next season."

"This is the only show that can get us to leave our stores during our busy season," added Dave Coates, Skagway Mining, Ketchikan, AK. "This is simply the show you must attend."

"This has become the show I do the majority of my buying from, " agreed Lisa Racutt, M&K Enterprises, Las Vegas. "This year was the best ever."

"I loved exploring the expanded selection. This show brings together the top notch people at the top of the game," noted Lorraine Massey, Multnomah Falls Lodge, Troutdale, OR.

Exhibitors reports of brisk order-writing and new business added to the buzz on the show floor.

"This show, by far, has the best qualified buyers in the industry," explained Pablo Merlo Flores, Pampeana. "It's one of the least expensive shows to attend with the highest quality of buyer orders ..always."

"We've had great traffic at this show," added John Potts, Duck Company. "It's been an excellent show and we've seen a good mix of buyers from everywhere."

"The show improves by leaps and bounds every year," said Bruce Miller, Karol Western. "No souvenir buyer should miss it!"

Further strengthening the growing buyer base, Urban Expositions worked with leading industry associations like the National Association of Retail Buyers (NARB), the Zoo & Aquarium Buyers Group (ZAG) and others to host seminars, hospitality and networking events for their members during the show.

The next edition will be held September 11-14, 2012 in Hall C of the Las Vegas Convention Center. The Urban Expositions management team is already working on programs and promotions to ensure the show's continued growth. Urban will continue to invest a significant part of the show's marketing budget to buy down hotel rates at quality properties to once again offer rates starting in the $15.99 range. In addition to maintaining the four-day date pattern, Urban will also work to continue enhancing the show's product depth in a number of categories identified by the show's retail advisory board, including more gourmet food products, books/publishers and other souvenir/resort niche items. Exhibitor/Attendee Information

For exhibitor information, contact Lisa Glosson, Urban Expositions, 1690 Roberts Blvd, NW, Suite 111, Kennesaw, GA 30144. Phone: 678.370.0334, e-mail: lglosson[at]urban-expo.com.

For buyer information or to register, attendees can contact Briana Mackey at bmackey[at]urban-expo.com or Jhana Jordan at jjordan[at]@urban-expo.com or call 800.318.2238 or visit www.lvsouvenirshow.com.

Record Attendance at New York Market

7 W HOME FASHIONS MARKET WEEK DRAWS RECORD ATTENDANCE

A Well-Received Show Featuring New and Unique Product Offerings 

By 7 W New York  
Hot on the heels of a recent series of successful markets, 7 W New York hosted a rewarding and productive Home Fashions Market, September 19-23. The building’s entire roster of top-notch home fashion suites were ready for attendees, with a wide range of products from elegant classic to cutting-edge chic.

According to Chris Collins, VP & President, 7 W New York, "Our Home Fashions Market Week was an extraordinary success! Once again, we endured very difficult financial news right in the middle of the market. However, it seemed to have no effect on the good mood and positive approach that buyers and sellers displayed throughout the week. All reported a great market while showrooms across the board where thrilled with the results of the week’s meetings and the enthusiasm of the buyers."

The building houses some of the most dynamic names in home fashion such as Berkshire Blanket, Bellino Fine Linens, Peking Handicraft and Abhiasmi Inc. – Jovi Home, just to name a few. With an increase in associate buyers accompanying main buyers and the finest and most exclusive merchandise, it is no wonder 7 W reported a 20% uptick in attendance over last year- a clear sign 7 W is an invaluable resource.

Betsy Blancett, a buyer from Soft Surroundings in St. Louis, commented, “This market has been extremely productive. We’ve seen a lot of fashion-forward products and are very excited to be here.

Patricia Feiwell, a New York- based designer, “I love this building’s bright and open layout because you can see everything. In addition, 7 W is a fantastic source for textiles. I’ve visited every floor!”

The week’s new suites, including Kaleen Rugs, Berkshire Blanket, Nishat Chunian Ltd. and Texstyle Bolan USA experienced a positive reception, while Sam Salem and Son and aaa Bath Fashions, in newly expanded suites, were able to wow show-goers with more fresh and appealing merchandise than ever before.

Temporary suites Charisma, Inovatex, NuSteel by Tatara and CMN International enjoyed recognition; and the second annual Home Textiles Today’s Global Interiors Home Collection Show was met with considerable enthusiasm and interest.

Kirk Shipley, VP, Sales and Marketing, Texstyle Bolan USA, remarked, “It’s only the first day and already there are many people coming through. The building is fresh, we like our new space and customers are positive about it. We have some very unusual new merchandise…so far, so good!”

Joe Barkely, Executive VP, Kaleen Rugs, stated, "The national account is here so we need to be here. We see a lot of promise with this showroom and, although we've only been here a short time, we've already seen a lot of success."

Richard Eidler, VP, Sales and Product Development, Sam Salem and Son, commented, “We are thrilled to be at 7 W. it’s a great location and we love our new space.”

For complete and continually updated information about 7 W New York, keep visiting www.7wnewyork.com. You can also find 7 W on Facebook and follow them on Twitter.

7 W NEW YORK® is a wholesale mart building, catering to the buyers of Home Décor, Table Top, Giftware, Textiles, Decorative Accessories, Fine Arts and related industries. Located at 7 W 34th Street, its daily hours of operation are Monday through Friday, from 9 am to 5 pm with extended hours during special market weeks. 7 W New York is a trademark of Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc. (MMPI).

MMPI is the world’s leading owner and operator of showroom buildings and trade show facilities, bringing buyers and sellers together in more than 300 market events, trade and consumer shows and conferences each year. MMPI manages The Merchandise Mart and 350 West Mart Center in Chicago; Market Square, the Suites at Market Square, Hamilton Market, Plaza Suites, Furniture Plaza and the National Furniture Mart in High Point, N.C.; the Architects & Designers Building and 7 W New York in New York; the Boston Design Center in Boston; the L.A. Mart in Los Angeles; and the Washington Design Center and Federal Center Southwest in Washington D.C.

VORNADO REALTY TRUST, owners of MMPI, based in New York City, is a fully integrated equity real estate investment trust. Vornado’s common shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange and are traded under the symbol VNO.

Tastemakers shop the Las Vegas Summer Market

Tastemakers Get Ahead of the Curve of Interior Design Trends


Anthony Baratta, Jeffrey Alan Marks and Nathan Turner Scour Las Vegas Summer Market for Next Season’s New Looks and Coveted Pieces

By Las Vegas Market

LAS VEGAS – Aug. 3, 2011 –Three of the nation’s most celebrated interior designers, Anthony Baratta, Jeffrey Alan Marks and Nathan Turner shopped five-million-square-feet of showrooms during this week’s Summer Las Vegas Market. Today they uncoveredwhat will become next season’s most popular trends during their presentation, Ahead of the Curve, moderated by style guru and “Today” show contributor Susanna Salk. The program, which featured a live in-studio audience and webcast viewers from around the globe, gave the world a chance to watch top design stars reveal their favorite discoveries.

“We are very proud of the reputation Ahead of the Curve has gotten over the last few years,” said Robert Maricich, chief executive officer of International Market Centers, World Market Center Las Vegas’ parent company. “We know that media, designers, buyers and mainstream consumers all anticipate what our trend forecasters will divulge. Fall is such a busy season for decorating so this is the perfect time to get ahead of next season’s trends.”

Throughout their tour of the three inter-connected buildings of World Market Center Las Vegas, the design experts uncovered some new additions to the exhibitor scene as well as interesting innovations, products, and trends.

“I never tire of identifying the stand-out pieces and trends year-after-year,” said Susanna Salk, design expert and author. “Las Vegas Market has an amazing variety of products, from very luxurious high-end manufacturers, to very affordable well-built pieces and even the more obscure, whimsical pieces.”

“I’ve found the experience at Las Vegas Market to be incredibly inspiring,” said Baratta. I have found some great new pieces to incorporate into current projects and have so many new ideas to take home to New York with me. I was non-stop shopping.”

We had an amazing time going through each showroom and picking our favorites,” said Marks. “From comfort, to fun design elements, and great colors, this season’s Las Vegas Market really had it all. It was extremely difficult for me to narrow down my choices for the Ahead of the Curve presentation. There just wasn’t enough time to highlight all of my favorites.”

“Because I have a retail store I am always on the hunt to look for new and exciting things, and was not disappointed here in Las Vegas,” said Turner. “I saw so many different types beautiful pieces and spotted numerous trends. I can’t wait to bring some of these things back to my own store in Los Angeles.”

The trends discovered included:
Red Hots
Nearly every showroom featured pieces in candy apple red. Hot red combines well with chocolate, gray, navy and white. It has a tendency to give a graphic quality to a room and is an easy way to add instant spice to a project. It’s all you need to make a room sizzle.

Au Natural
Natural, unfinished materials that incorporate hand craftsmanship do not have to be exclusively rustic. At Las Vegas Market, several of these “natural” pieces had sexy and sleek shapes.Going au natural can add depth, soul, and character to a room.

Basketweave
Basketweave knew no limits in Las Vegas. It was featured on pieces with metal, rope, and wicker and caning accents. It brings outside in, allowing something you typically associate with the outdoors to be inside the home in a very chic, stylish manner. It could even take the place of a pattern.

Small Scale
In the 90s, the trendwas to do everythingbigger. Big houses, big rooms, big furniture. Now things are smaller with more details. Small scale pieces provide a more tailored, very sweet look.The economy has had a lot to do with it. McMansions are out and people aren’t looking to just fill up a house. And more than anything, they want their home to have pieces with personality.

Swivel
Because rooms are smaller they are required to be more dynamic, so multi-purpose pieces are critical. From the end of a bed to in front of a fireplace, pieces that swivel, rock or roll bring life and movement to a room while saving space.

Pop of Color
One of the latest crazes has been light grey, rough woods. But it can grow stale or boring. Dress up your neutrals with a jolt of color. At Las Vegas Market there has been a pop of color trend showing up in rustic pieces, wherethe color really emphasizes the contrast between the rough edges and a smooth, modern finish.

Retro Redefined
Forms from the 40s, 50s and 60s are now being made with materials to make the look more modern. These pieces give a whimsical element to any room, and offer more compatibility with today’s design options.

Black and White – the ultimate neutral
Black and white allows color to stand out in a room, and can bring a room to life. A lot of the black and white pieces at this year’s Las Vegas Market are very graphic, which really allows a piece to give a room a whole other dimension.

Chrome in the Home
Chrome gives any piece a clean, fresh look. Las Vegas Market featured countless retro pieces that were updated with a chrome element. Chrome adds a nice sparkle to a room and will work in both modern and traditionally designed homes, giving them a sharp, crisp finish.

The complete Ahead of the Curve webcast will be available for download on the Las Vegas Market’s YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/user/WorldMarketCenterLV. For more information on Las Vegas Market visit www.lasvegasmarket.com.


About World Market Center Las Vegas
World Market Center Las Vegas is an integrated home and hospitality contract furnishings showroom and trade complex. The campus showcases furniture, decorative accessories, gift, lighting, area rugs, home textiles and related segments, as well as the Las Vegas Design Center open daily to consumers and designers. For more information on World Market Center Las Vegas and its trade shows including the bi-annual Las Vegas Market and Gift+Home, visit www.wmclv.com. Find us on Facebook and Twitter.

World Market Center Las Vegas is a property of International Market Centers, L.P. (IMC), the world’s largest operator of premier showroom space for the furnishings, home décor and gift industries. International Market Centers owns and operates 11.5 million square feet of world-class exhibition space in High Point, N.C. and Las Vegas. IMC’s mission is to build and operate an innovative, sustainable, profitable and scalable platform for the furnishings, home décor and gift industries. For more information on IMC, visit imcenters.com.