IMM Cologne to Exhibit Highlights from the Renowned Cologne Furniture Show at World Market Center’s SM Inaugural Las Vegas MarketSM

Furniture World News

Further establishing itself as a truly international market in the U.S., World Market Center’sSM officials announced a strategic alliance with Koelnmesse to feature highlights of the world renowned IMM Cologne furniture show during the inaugural Las Vegas MarketSM, July 25-29, 2005. IMM Cologne is a leading international trade fair for the home furnishings sector with an annual event each January that is the first look at the latest home trends in Europe. This is the first time Koelnmesse has taken the Ideal House Cologne exhibit abroad and is exhibiting highlights of their fair in the U.S. “We are very pleased to welcome IMM Cologne to the inaugural Las Vegas MarketSM,” said Tim Branscome, Director of International Development for World Market CenterSM. “Our strategic alliance with Koelnmesse allows us to extend resources and product offerings from international exhibitors to our buyers, and to bring this unique European ‘content and community’ to the United States for the first time.” “This is the culmination of collaboration and joint planning between World Market CenterSM and Koelnmesse to bring this distinguished event to Las Vegas MarketSM,” said Shawn Samson, a managing partner of World Market CenterSM. “It further demonstrates our commitment to establishing World Market CenterSM as an international market.” The IMM Cologne exhibition will include a media presentation of one of their most popular attractions – Ideal House Cologne. With Ideal House Cologne, two internationally renowned designers are selected to present their visions of tomorrow’s living to the industry professionals attending the trade fair. The designers chosen often push the envelope in terms of design and imagination, creating unique and unconventional visions for the living spaces of the future. Star designers have included Konstantin Grcic, Karim Rahid, the Bouroullec and Campana brothers and this year’s designers Hella Jongerius and Patricia Urquiola. In its third year, Ideal House Cologne continues to fuel creativity in its purest form, reveal possibilities, provoke much discussion and enliven the world of interior design. “We are very excited to be presenting highlights from our trends manual as well as Ideal House Cologne at Las Vegas Market,” said Udo Traeger, Vice President – Furniture, Interior Design & Textiles. “World Market Center is an ideal venue for us to offer a taste of IMM Cologne to the United States for the very first time; and at the same time promote awareness of our annual furniture fair.” In addition, IMM Cologne will feature a selection of trend materials featured in their Interior Trends 2005 manual with photos and design examples revealing the trends that will dominate interior design in the coming year. Each year, six international trend and design experts meet for an intensive brainstorming session to complete the forecast for the coming year. The trend forecast for 2005 has four trends dominating the world of interior design; transformation, multiple identity, emotional sensuality, and time as a value. “Transformation” can be defined as consumers taking their life experiences, and their attitudes toward them, and applying this to the products that are important to them. “Multiple identity” corresponds to a lifestyle that sees the world as a sum of opportunities while “emotional sensuality, “by contrast, refers to a lifestyle dominated by feeling. The “final trend,” time as value, actually resists the very idea of a trend with the philosophy that time should be organized as perfectly as possible, so that each moment can be enjoyed to the fullest. For more information on these trends from Interior Trends 2005 and for a look at the popular Ideal House Cologne, go to www.imm-cologne.de and visit the International Pavilion at World Market CenterSM. About World Market Center’sSM International Pavilions The world’s home furnishings market of the future will come to fruition in Las Vegas on July 25 with buyers registering from nearly 60 different countries. Rounding out the international flavor of the event, World Market CenterSM created the International Pavilion to provide a host of resources, business services, information on overseas trade fairs and a comfortable reception area for our global attendees. Located in North Hall 1 (N1) at World MarketPlaceSM at Las Vegas Convention Center, the International Pavilion aims to connect buyers and sellers from around the world. The International Pavilion will be located adjacent to International Lifestyle USA SM – a “show within a show” organized by Messe Frankfurt in cooperation with World Market CenterSM showcasing highlights from the world renowned Heimtextil and Ambiente shows from Frankfurt. World Market Center’sSM International Pavilion will also feature stands and representation from other trade fairs around the world including Salon Du Meuble de Paris – Paris, France; ABIMAD 2006 International Furniture Fair – Sao Paulo, Brazil; International Furniture Fair – Singapore, Singapore; Expo Mueble International – Guadalajara, Mexico; Cebu International Furniture and Furnishings Exhibition (Cebu X) – Cebu, Philippines; 3f International Famous Furniture Fair – Dongguan, China; and Movelsul Brasil Furniture Show - Bento Goncalves, Brazil. Las Vegas MarketSM is the country’s largest new home furnishings venue and will hold its first Market in Las Vegas from July 25-29, 2005. The debut event will encompass nearly 2.5 million square feet of permanent and temporary exhibition space and showcase furniture, decorative accessories, lighting, bedding, area rugs, and related segments, as well as a Design Center open year-round to the trade. Las Vegas MarketSM is designed to be the first true international showcase in the U.S. for the home furnishings industry, with alliance with major global trade shows. Buyers can register for July Market by calling 888-WMC-SHOW (888-962-7469) or visit www.LasVegasMarket.com.