Design Gallery Puts Inspiration Center Stage at Las Vegas Market

Furniture World Magazine

Attendees at the upcoming Las Vegas Market are sure to find inspiration when they visit the Design Gallery, a juried exhibit area featuring stylish products and displays depictive of up-and-coming trends driven by some of the industry’s most promising suppliers. During the January 2006 Las Vegas Market, the Design Gallery will be located in a dedicated section of the Mandalay Bay Convention Center and feature a broad cross-section of new and exciting designs. Companies and products are hand-selected for inclusion in this first-class showcase. “At the Design Gallery, attendees can expect to see more of the high-style products that represent home décor and furniture,” promises Babs Blair, Director of Leasing at World Market Center. “We want this area to be a destination that showcases trend-setting products and serve as an incubator for unique new companies. Even companies selected more than once will be moved to different locations within the Design Gallery to keep it fresh and exciting.” The Design Gallery was created as the centerpiece of Las Vegas Market’s temporary venue at Mandalay Bay Convention Center. Exhibits are selected by an internal committee of show management; among other things, they look for products which are depictive of consumer trends. “We use our collective knowledge of what is being promoted at different shows —including European fairs,” says Blair. “In addition, we look at the quality of the exhibitors displays and review their catalogs as part of the basis for our criteria.” Lois Richards, Trade Shows and Temporary Leasing Manager at World Market Center, stresses that the Design Gallery is not simply a collection of trendy furniture or home décor products. “It is more of a visual merchandising,” she explains. “The companies merchandise in unique ways, using the layouts of their booths to make it aesthetically beautiful; so, the booth is part of what they’re showing,” she says. “The whole ambiance of their location, their booth, their stage and how it’s designed is what’s trendy — not specifically a piece of furniture or a designer color. It’s more of a total look.” Attendees of Las Vegas Market shouldn’t miss this spectacular Market feature designed to inspire the creative mind. “It is going to be fresh, new and vital,” promises Richards. “It’s an ever-changing area that is a must-see.” The selected exhibitors for the Winter 2006 Las Vegas Market Design Gallery include: Antiques 2000 Bojay Inc. Bull & Stein Charles Carol Design CTC/Chicago Dare Deco IDS Interior Design Source Ital Art Designs Leftbank Art Company Mel V Inc. Mila Brown International Mirador Furnishings Pulvermacher Designs Rags Roberta Schilling Shawna Stoney Sweet Smiling Home Texture, Inc. Thumprints, LLC Van Teal Wallternatives Zambezi Trader Ltd. Another exciting feature to the Mandalay Bay venue is free buyer breakfasts, served Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of Market. Buyers are encouraged to “Start their Day at Mandalay Bay” and take advantage of this offering that will be held in the main hall at 8:00 a.m. each morning. The Winter Las Vegas Market is being held January 30 February 3, 2006 at World Market Center and the Pavilions. The temporary exhibits at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center will open on Tuesday, January 31 and run through February 3, 2003. Las Vegas Market hours of operations are 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday. On Friday, Market hours are 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Online registration is available for buyers, designers, international registrants, exhibitors, and representatives as well as other industry members such as non-exhibiting manufacturers, media, speakers and suppliers 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 still available through Las Vegas Market’s website with rates starting as low as $72 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). Attendees can send inquires to the Buyer Services dept. at buyers@lasvegasmarket.com.