Shuffling the Dates
In what amounts to a direct conflict with the High Point Market, World Market Center Las Vegas is shifting to a fall and winter schedule for its market weeks in 2009, instead of the summer and winter rotation it has had since its start in 2005.
The winter 2009 dates, Feb. 9 to 13, had previously been announced, but the big news is the second show, which will now be held Sept. 14 to 17, instead of the last week of July. Starting next fall, Vegas shows will be reduced by one day to a four-day schedule as well.
This places its market only four weeks from High Point’s Oct. 17 to 22 dates. It also places Las Vegas right on top of several other industry dates. The New York Home Fashions Market, for home textiles, is the same week as is the All Baby and Child show for juvenile furniture and products in Las Vegas. The September week is also about the time High Point has held its premarket week, although exact 2009 dates have not been announced.
In the winter, Las Vegas and High Point are approximately 10 weeks apart. The only significant home furnishings overlap for the Vegas winter market is with the Ambiente fair for tabletop and housewares in Frankfurt, Germany.
World Market Center, in making the announcement, said the date changes reflect feedback from its attendees and exhibitors. “World Market Center Las Vegas is the only venue of its kind that can adjust so quickly to the evolving needs of the industry,” said President Robert Maricich.
“Las Vegas Market has emerged as the most efficient and productive market experience, and our new date pattern reinforces our commitment to maximize opportunities for participating exhibitors, buyers and designers,” he added.
Brian Casey, head of the High Point Market Authority, in responding to the news, told HFN that many exhibitors do not show at both markets and that he was confident in High Point’s positioning. “Look at the square footage here and the number of product introductions that far outweigh anything in Las Vegas. The major retailers have told us this is their core market.
“It’s unfortunate, because there had been discussions among some people about the two markets working together.” Now, he added, that would be much more difficult to do.
World Market Center also said it plans to launch a new and separate gift and decorative accessories show in summer 2010, which is part of its stated strategy to have dedicated shows for specific industry segments. No other details on that event were released.