World Market CenterSM Announces Seminars and Events for Inaugural July 2005 Las Vegas MarketSM

Furniture World Magazine

World Market CenterSM presents its first lineup of seminars and special events demonstrating that education and networking will be another exciting component of the first Las Vegas MarketSM taking place July 25-29, 2005. Among renowned industry leaders scheduled is respected analyst Jerry Epperson of Mann, Armistead & Epperson, Ltd., who will discuss the impact of the economic recovery on the home furnishings industry and provide insight on what to expect in the future. “We have worked with WHFA and other organizations to create a slate of fresh educational programs and seminars for the inaugural Las Vegas MarketSM,” said World Market Center’s Director of Marketing and Public Relations Dana Pretner. “Giving attendees a forum to learn about key issues and emerging trends, and offering tools to make their businesses and sales forces stronger, will be an important aspect to our Market. We have designed a dynamic series for July and look forward to growing this program over time.” Western Home Furnishings Association (WHFA) – the largest affiliate of the National Home Furnishings Association – will be producing conference sessions on such hot subjects as Retro-Modernism, Visual Merchandising and The Art of the Sale. In addition, other sessions will focus on important business topics such as ways to increase your profits, effective advertising and e-commerce. Highlights include: • John Parks of Horich Parks Lebow Advertising – Advice on how to plan, budget and buy media to increase your sales. • Philip M. Gutsell of Gutsell & Associates – Create a more successful advertising and marketing strategy for retailers. • John McCloskey of Profitability Consulting Group – Offer 15 ways to increase profits and proven methods to add points to retailers’ bottom line. In addition, the WHFA Academy Training Series, featuring Jody Seivert of One by One Companies, is a four-part program devoted to preparing the participant to drive a sales team to success. Seivert will offer sales management training in areas such as Communicating to Get What You Want, Immediate Impact Meetings and Dealing with Poor Performers. “We are pleased to be able to support World Market Center by delivering some of the most diverse and exceptional conference topics by the top industry professionals,” said Cindi Williams, WHFA Events Manager. These WHFA seminars will take place in the Seminar Room of the Retailer Resource Center (Space 210). World Market CenterSM is also expanding the platform for valuable industry education by establishing alliances with two other highly respected membership organizations: Accessories Resource Team (A.R.T.) and WithIt. Both associations will have separate membership events in July, hosted by World Market CenterSM. -“Breakfast with ART: Producing Successful Events in Your Store” will feature special guest and store owner, designer and Home Accents Today columnist Lynni Megginson who will share her experiences as a home accents store owner on how to produce low cost events in your store. -WithIt in the West will hold their kick-off event at Las Vegas MarketSM featuring Valerie Moran, President of Grange Furniture. Moran will entertain and enlighten guests with her talk on "The Savvy Woman’s Secrets for Getting the Most out of Market, Vendors, and Increasing Her Bottom Line." Finally, Michael Moloney, Designer/Star of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, is another featured speaker at Las Vegas MarketSM and will discuss his design career, which began in fashion and today includes appearances on ABC’s hit reality home show. Moloney owns two Los Angeles home furnishings stores, Le Garage and Maison Luxe, and is sought after for his unique blend of new product with European antiques. At his seminar, “The Reality of Design,” Moloney will join FurnitureStyle Editor Julie M. Smith for an intimate conversation on celebrity, fashion and art of home furnishings retail in this entertaining and informative presentation. These seminar and others will be conducted on the second floor of Building A in World Market Center’s Seminar Room. Special Events: As a spectacular, one-of-a-kind grand opening celebration is being planned for the inaugural Las Vegas MarketSM on Monday, July 25, 2005, World Market CenterSM officials are pleased to announce an exciting line-up of special events happening throughout Market week. Among these co-hosted events, World Market CenterSM and Furniture/Today will join forces for a “Market Kick-Off Party” on Tuesday, July 26th from 5:30 – 8:00 p.m. Held in the Atrium of World Market Center, this special reception will welcome buyers and exhibitors to an exciting Market week and offers networking opportunities with industry leaders. On Wednesday, July 27th InFurniture and the Western Home Furnishings Association (WHFA) will present the “Fire & Ice Party,” a two-hour cocktail party that commingles fashion and architecture for the forward thinking crowd. The event will feature dynamic entertainment and begins at 5:30 p.m. inside World Market Center’s Atrium. Following the “Fire & Ice Party” on Wednesday evening, Fremont Street Experience and World Market CenterSM are throwing a “Vintage Vegas Beach Bash” in fabulous downtown Las Vegas. The beach party will feature a free concert from blockbuster entertainers, The Beach Boys. Also performing at the beach bash is a Jimmy Buffett tribute band, The Parrott Heads. Guests are encouraged to wear their shorts and sandals and enjoy great food, drink and fun on a five-block promenade covered by Viva Vision, the biggest screen on the planet. The “Vintage Vegas Beach Bash” kicks off at 7:30 p.m. Free shuttle service will be provided to Fremont Street Experience. Furniture Style will present their first ever “Makeover Party and A.D.I. Awards” on Thursday, July 28th at 5:30 p.m. in the Atrium at World Market Center. Special guest Michael Moloney of ABC's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition will help celebrate the inaugural Las Vegas MarketSM – the Market that is making over the home furnishings industry. Moloney, who began his design career in apparel fashion, today owns two home furnishings stores and appears on many home decorating programs including ABC’s popular hit show Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. During the party, Moloney will present the winners of Furniture Style's inaugural A.D.I. Awards (Advancing Design and Innovation) honoring the most innovative new products at World Market CenterSM. World Market CenterSM tenants and exhibitors will also be hosting a number of promotional events and parties throughout the week, many featuring celebrity designers and television personalities. For more information, times and locations about the educational seminars and special events planned for the July 2005 Market, please visit www.LasVegasMarket.com, go to “Seminars & Events” page. Buyers are encouraged to pre-register for Las Vegas MarketSM by July 1st to receive a Market pass in advance. To register and to book discounted hotel rooms for Market, call 888-WMC-SHOW (888-962-7469) or visit www.LasVegasMarket.com. Or email: Buyers@LasVegasMarket.com.