Woodworking and Furniture Industries Converge in Las Vegas July 27-30, 2005

Furniture World Magazine

“AWFS®Vegas” is proving it’s the place to be in 2005 as woodworking and furniture supply companies reserve space at record levels. “Exhibitor space reservations have already equaled 2003 and we’ve got ten more months to go,” said Jeff Oliverson, AWFS® Trade Show Committee chair and regional manager for OMGA INC, a woodworking machinery manufacturer. In addition to breaking all past records in exhibitor space, Dales Silverman, Executive Director of Association of Woodworking & Furnishings Suppliers® (AWFS®) announced that “The World Market Center decided to move their inaugural Las Vegas market dates due to increased demand for space, and hold their temporary exhibit space at the Las Vegas Convention Center on July 25-29, 2005, adjacent to and overlapping with “AWFS®Vegas”.”   According to Angelo Gangone, Director of AWFS®Fair, “The AWFS®Fair and the World Market Center have a synergy of exhibitors and attendees. We’re excited about the opportunity, and believe both events will see a positive impact from co-locating at the Convention Center.” “This is a great opportunity for the woodworking and furniture industries,” remarked Barry Howerton, president of AWFS® Board of Directors and group vice president for Leggett & Platt. “With both inaugural shows overlapping during the same week, people in different segments of the industry will be able to see the show they would not normally attend, creating a truly industry-wide occasion. This just adds to the good news of record exhibit space sales of the AWFS®Fair.” At this time, the 2005 AWFS®Fair has matched the total square footage from 2003 – with the average booth size increasing by 7.5%.  Gangone continues, “We are very excited as we have already added nearly 80 new exhibiting companies as well as seeing many of our long-time exhibitors planning to bring more products than ever before with a special emphasis on new products and technologies.”  The AWFS®Fair which began in Los Angeles in 1957 and has been held biennially at the Anaheim Convention Center since 1987, is the largest woodworking machinery and supply event in North America in 2005. It averages 27,500 participants including attendees and exhibitors, with more than 760 exhibiting companies. By moving the show to Las Vegas, organizers predict an increase in both of these categories. The show is scheduled to utilize over 400,000 net square feet. For more information about 2005 “AWFS®Vegas”, go to www.AWFSFair.org or call (800) 946-AWFS (2937). The World Market CenterSM is the largest and most comprehensive home furnishing showroom complex in the West. Currently under construction in Las Vegas with completion expected by May 2005, Phase One will feature permanent and temporary showrooms showcasing furniture, decorative accessories, lighting, area rugs, bedding, floral and related segments, as well as a Design Center.  For more information about World Market Center, go to www.lasvegasmarket.com.