IMC Trade Shows Recognized Among Nation’s Fastest Growing

Furniture World News Desk on 5/14/2023

Pictured L-R: BoAnn Oliver, CEM-AP, executive director of apparel tradeshow leasing; Evans Guyton, executive director of apparel tradeshow leasing; Dan Darby, CEM, LightFair show director; and Caron Stover, senior vice president, Apparel.

Some 21 buying events produced by International Market Centers (IMC) in 2022 have been named to Trade Show Executive’s list of fastest-growing trade shows in the United States, with Atlanta Apparel, Atlanta Market, Las Vegas Apparel, Las Vegas Market, LightFair® and Shoppe Object among the magazine’s “Fastest 50” Class of 2022 and “Next 50” honorees.

“IMC is pleased to have so many of our events acknowledged as being among the nation’s fastest growing in 2022,” said Bob Maricich, IMC CEO. “These prestigious honors reflect the substantial growth of the industries served by IMC’s markets as well as the robust recovery of the trade show industry overall post-COVID.” 

Trade Show Executive’s Fastest 50 Awards recognize the fastest-growing trade shows held in the U.S., and the “Next 50” recognize events that were not fast enough to crack the Top 50 in 2022 but are strong contenders for 2023. Both awards, which are based on metrics including net square feet of exhibit space and number of exhibitors, offer show organizers an opportunity to highlight achievements.

Of the 21 awards captured by IMC, the company’s gift and home markets were especially well-represented with Atlanta Market and Las Vegas Market each receiving four and Shoppe Object receiving two. In the apparel category, Atlanta Apparel received seven and Las Vegas Apparel received two. LightFair, a tradeshow and conference for architectural and commercial lighting, also received two. The TSE Fastest 50 awards were presented on May 3, 2023, in Miami Beach, FL.

Fastest 50 Awards

Five buying events produced by IMC in 2022 were recognized among the nation’s “Fastest 50” shows by net square feet of exhibit space: the Winter edition of Atlanta Market; the Summer edition of Las Vegas Apparel; the Summer and Winter editions of Las Vegas Market; and the annual edition of LightFair®.

Additionally, six IMC trade shows were recognized among the nation’s fastest-growing in 2022by number of exhibiting companies: the Summer and Winter editions of Atlanta Market; the Summer edition of Las Vegas Apparel; the Summer and Winter editions of Las Vegas Market; and the annual edition of LightFair®.

The “Next 50”

IMC’s six buying events named as the “Next 50” in growth by net square feet of exhibit space are the February, April, June and August editions of Atlanta Apparel; the Summer edition of Atlanta Market; and the Summer edition of Shoppe Object.

Four IMC buying events also received “Next 50” honors for growth by exhibiting companies in 2022: the February, April and August editions of Atlanta Apparel; and the Summer edition of Shoppe Object.

Atlanta Market is a dynamic and immersive wholesale sourcing destination housing the nation’s largest productmix for gift complemented by a broad selection of home décor, furnishings, apparel and the nation’s largestoutdoor living presentation. It features three buildings with 51 floors of showrooms and temporary exhibits withthousands of brands that attract retailers and designers from every U.S. state and more than 60 countries.AtlantaMarket.com.

Las Vegas Market is the leading home furnishings and gift market in the western U.S., presenting thousands of furniture, home décor and gift resources in an unrivaled market destination. Las Vegas Market’s diverse product offerings allow for cross-category commerce among these industries. LasVegasMarket.com.

Atlanta Apparel’s five markets feature the latest looks in contemporary, young contemporary, women’s modern, shoes, fashion accessories and more, plus specialty categories such as children’s, plus-size, bridal, prom and other formal wear at AmericasMart Atlanta. www.Atlanta-Apparel.com.

Las Vegas Apparel – Atlanta Apparel’s West Coast fashion sourcing market – adds a curated mix of young contemporary apparel and accessories to Las Vegas Fashion Week offerings each February and August at the Expo at World Market Center Las Vegas. LasVegas-Apparel.com.

LightFair, North America’s largest architectural and commercial lighting trade show and conference, is owned by the International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD), the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) and is produced by IMC. LightFair.com.

Shoppe Object is New York’s semiannual home and gift show. With a curated roster of visionary brands and makers presented in an elevated setting, the show is the ultimate resource for premier merchants and influential editors. ShoppeObject.com.

About International Market Centers
 International Market Centers (IMC) serves as the center of commerce for the wholesale furniture, gift, home decor and apparel industries. IMC has more than 60 years of relationships and experience creating scalable business platforms for wholesale commerce. Our premium showroom spaces spanning more than 20 million square feet in High Point, N.C., Las Vegas and Atlanta, paired with our digital tools connect the wholesale industries we serve. For more information, visit IMCenters.com.