Las Vegas Market Awarded ‘Best New Show’ Honors By EXPO Magazine

Furniture World News

2005 was a good year to launch trade and consumer shows, as exemplified by the just-announced winners of EXPO’s 2006 Best New Show Awards. Las Vegas Market took top honors with the award for ‘Best New Show’ in the Trade Show (Stand-alone Launch) category. Las Vegas Market was recognized for its inaugural home and hospitality furnishings event that attracted 60,000 attendees and 1,200 exhibiting companies to the new World Market Center campus in July 2005. After five years of anticipation, Las Vegas Market debuted across 2.5 million square feet of permanent and temporary exhibition space. At this size, Las Vegas Market was a record-breaking event as the largest show launch in U.S. history. World Market Center, developed by World Market Center, LLC and The Related Companies, LP, is the largest new trade show complex in the country, connecting all categories of the home and hospitality furnishings industry, including furniture, home accent, lighting, rugs, floor coverings, wall décor, floral, outdoor, bedding, mattresses, home textiles, gift, table top and more. “This is an incredible honor and we are truly pleased with the distinction of being named ‘Best New Show’ by such a reputable trade show industry publication as EXPO Magazine,” said Gerry Sawyer, Chief Operating Office for World Market Center. “After five years in the making, Las Vegas Market set out to deliver to the industry a new Market experience that would offer unparalleled amenities and choices. The result was that Las Vegas Market fulfilled the needs and wants of buyers and sellers, and drove new business opportunities for the industry. We owe the success of Las Vegas Market to the hard work and contributions made by our amazing team and vendors and, of course, to the vision and commitment of our partners.” According to the judges, World Market Center’s entry for Las Vegas Market had clearly defined objectives, thoughtful new strategies and impressive results. “Among the entries, the Las Vegas Market was the largest trade show launch of the year -- by far. Beyond its size, the show organizers did an amazing job of attracting attendees and marketing the new show. And it shows from the results – with more than 60,000 attendees,” said says Danica Tormohlen, Editor in Chief of EXPO. The Best New Show Award, presented by EXPO Magazine, salutes trade and consumer shows in five categories, including: Trade Show (Stand-Alone Launch), Trade Show (Co-Located Launch), Consumer Show, Trade and Consumer Show, and Nontraditional Event. The program is the only industry honor solely recognizing new show launches. “This year’s winners prove that trade and consumer shows continue to be the best medium to bring together buyers and sellers face to face, across all industries,” said Tormohlen. Based on all entries, a few key trends emerged for show launches in 2005: - The fourth quarter (October-December) is the most popular time of year to launch new events. -New York and Las Vegas are popular locations for launches. -Independent, for-profit producers are much more active in launching shows than associations. - No surprise, most show launches are focused on growing industries and emerging new technologies. Each show was judged independently and scored by three judges; their scores were then averaged for a final score. Each show was judged individually based on the following criteria: objective/mission; strategies/execution; and results. This year’s distinguished panel of judges includes: Mike Fisher, National Association of Consumer Shows; Monica Vila, Ziff Davis (2004 winner); Peter Nathan, PWN; Carol Fojtik, Hall Erickson; Dan Cole, CES; Bill Sell, AdvisorComm; Vicki Hennin, Diversified Business Communications (2004 winner); Tom Cindric, Hanley Wood (2004 winner); Cherif Moujabber, Creative Expos; Jack Chalden, Chalden & Associates; Steve Schuldenfrei, Trade Show Exhibitors Association; Sam Lippman, integrated marketing and management; Danica Tormohlen, EXPO; and Donna Sanford, EXPO. EXPO Magazine provides strategies and solutions for trade show, convention and corporate event management. EXPO readers are association, independent and corporate show organizers, who plan, promote and produce events around the world. Profiles of the winners will appear in July/August 2006 issue of EXPO The next Las Vegas Market – which is slated to be the biggest show yet at 2.6 million square feet – is being held July 24 – 28 at World Market Center and the Pavilions. The temporary exhibits at the Las Vegas Convention Center are open July 25 – 28. Online registration is now available by visiting www.lasvegasmarket.com and completing the online application process. Attendees are also encouraged to make hotel arrangements immediately for best prices and availability. Special discounts are available through Las Vegas Market’s website with rates starting as low as $56 per night during Market week. 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).