Retail Observer

RETAILOBSERVER.COM APRIL 2020 36 "Market has been great, and there has been a lot of energy. Our existing customers are ordering new lines and ordering heavier," said Joanne Rackow, founder of gift agency Joanne & Company. "Now that we have only one showroom, we are able to do more marketing. Our designer stepped-up our merchandising with new lifestyle vignettes that created more of an experience for retailers. We also spent more on props and furniture and posted on Instagram. We hosted a party and had giveaways, which created a fun buzz. We support shop-small and want retailers to have a boutique experience when they come into our showroom." Buyers also reported a great Market, noting an increase in product introductions and an overall positive shopping experience. "This was the best-ever Las Vegas Market!" said Elaine Haskey, upholstery buyer for Steinhafels Furniture of Waukesha, Wisconsin. "Sometimes the products are a repeat of High Point Market introductions, but this time there was so much newness throughout, and we ended up committing to lots." "Las Vegas Market continues to amaze us," said Greg Greeson, owner and furniture and home décor buyer for Collectic Home of Austin, Texas. "The superlatives here include the ease of getting to and from the World Market Center, the variety of accommodations available in Las Vegas, the dining and entertainment possibilities, and of course, the convenience of cross-category shopping at one Market and visiting all of our vendor showrooms in such close proximity to one another. We set a record this Market by visiting 75 showrooms in just two-and-half days. I have more than 500 photos on my iPhone as proof!" "My mind is blown," said Chrystal DeCoster, gift buyer for Western Stars Gallery of Lyons, Colorado. "We are making great connections, considering some investments, and taking things to the next level!" PREVIEW OF WHAT'S TO COME FELT ACROSS THE MARKET The nearly completed Expo at World Market Center Las Vegas greeted attendees as a visible signal of forthcoming updates to the physical Las Vegas Market experience. The Pavilions at Las Vegas Market, which have contained the gift and home temporaries for the last 15 years, will be torn down in February as The Expo takes shape as the new home for those exhibits beginning in July 2020. Longtime Pavilions exhibitors are looking forward to The Expo with the conviction that it will enhance their businesses moving forward. "I think the new facility will pull traffic from all three buildings and bring more buyers to our booth," said Kristina Tressler, director of operations for South Bend Chocolate. "We've been in the Pavilions for 11 shows and believe the flow between The Expo and the rest of campus will help bring buyers who otherwise wouldn't see our products." "I believe The Expo will do wonders for my business," said Carlos Arias, founder and CEO of Inspired Peru. "I imagine we'll have much better exposure from buyers who only shop in the showrooms due to the time it takes to shop the Pavilions. We're very excited and expect an amazing experience next summer." Against the background of the under-construction Expo, IMC presented its commitment to digital innovation and showcased its new standalone digital division, IMC_di, to its western customer base. Hundreds gathered in the Grand Plaza Courtyard for the Market Kick-Off Party, which included performances by Cirque du Soleil and previewed plans for a new e-commerce platform that will connect buyers and sellers digitally year-round as an extension of IMC's physical markets. For more information about IMC_di, visit www.imcenters.com/IMCdi. MARKET-EXCLUSIVE PROGRAMMING HIGHLIGHTS WINTER MARKET Winter Market also featured a slate of Las Vegas-only events, educational seminars, industry celebrations and networking receptions. Highlights included the 15th annual Las Vegas Market Design Icon Award, which recognized award-winning interior designer Martyn Lawrence Bullard; Oprah's Favorite Finds – Live!; the Business of Design ™ Conference Jan. 2020; the "Learn and Earn" Buyer Breakfast Roundtables in collaboration with various professional associations; the Mid Mod Mix Up Bus Tour; and Stars in the Kitchen featuring Kelly Hansen, lead singer of Foreigner. Las Vegas Market is the leading home furnishings and gift market in the western U.S., presenting 4,300+ furniture, home décor and gift resources in an unrivaled market destination. Las Vegas Market features thousands of furniture, home décor and gift lines, allowing for cross-category commerce among these industries. Summer 2020 Las Vegas Market runs July 26 – July 30, 2020, at World Market Center Las Vegas. Visit www.lasvegasmarket.com for more information. ABOUT INTERNATIONAL MARKET CENTERS International Market Centers (IMC) is the world's largest operator of premier showroom space for furniture, gift, home décor, rug and apparel industries. International Market Centers owns and operates nearly 20 million square feet of world-class exhibition space in High Point, N.C., Las Vegas and Atlanta. IMC's mission is to build and operate an innovative, sustainable, profitable and scalable platform for the furniture, gift, home décor, rug, and apparel industries. Visit www.imcenters.com for more information on IMC. DYNAMIC LAS VEGAS MARKET RO

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