In late July in Las Vegas, two events will bring distinct, yet complementary, elements of the furniture industry together from equipment and supplies, to the manufactured end product available for retail distribution.
Happening concurrently, the AWFS® Fair, also called “AWFS®Vegas”, and the World Market Center’s inaugural Las Vegas Market will attract close to 70,000 professionals in the furniture industry from the U.S. and abroad. This is the first time both the supplier/ manufacturing and the finished-product professionals in the furniture industry will meet concurrently and adjacently in co-located international events. Many are enthusiastic about the synergy that will come from this connection.
The Association of Woodworking & Furnishing Suppliers® (AWFS®) owns and produces “AWFS®Vegas.” The 2005 Fair will be the largest show in its 48-year history, in its new location, the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC). Previously, the AWFS®Fair was held in Anaheim, California.
International attendees are particularly excited at the opportunities presented by both shows in the same city and time. According to Ana Druk, International Representative for the AWFS®Fair, the prospect of traveling to the popular international destination of Las Vegas, and seeing everything from supplies to end products is generating a lot of interest. “International industry representatives realize that they can learn so much more and meet with companies across the spectrum of the furniture industry. Many of our previous delegations of international attendees are planning on increasing the size of their group.”
Leggett & Platt, one of the furniture industry’s leading suppliers and a Fortune 500 company with over 5 billion dollars in sales, will have booths at both events. Rob Woods, President, Western Region of Leggett & Platt Fashion Bed Group, who is overseeing the creation of their Fashion Bedding permanent showroom on the ninth floor of the World Market Center says, “I’ve always believed in the value of coming together to exchange ideas, to see others’ viewpoints. There is no way to predict what kind of new connections will be made with these two great events. I am looking forward to stepping over to the AWFS®Fair and seeing some of the newest manufacturing machinery, and I know my associates are looking forward to seeing the finished products.”
Barry Howerton, Group VP of Leggett & Platt’s Home Furnishings Components division, will be part of Leggett’s team exhibiting at “AWFS®Vegas” and currently serves as AWFS® President. “The excitement is really building. Everyone I talk to is coming to Las Vegas – either for WMC or ‘AWFS®Vegas.’ And, while we’re there, there is no doubt we are going to be visiting one another’s events. I think the CEO who writes the check for the big machinery purchase will enjoy the chance to see it in action; and our cabinet and custom woodworkers will see latest trends in designs and finished products helping them be more competitive. It’s a win/win for everyone.”
John Sandberg, of Sandberg Furniture, has a showroom in the WMC and is also looking forward to the convergence. “I’ve sent several of my people to the AWFS®Fair and attended myself over the years. This co-location makes it easy for us to get our work done very efficiently. In addition, I think our vendors are really excited about the ability to attend both shows in one week. And, since so many people want to see the new World Market CenterSM, that’s going to mean a great boost for the AWFS®Fair.”
On July 25, 2005, the World Market Center will hold a grand Las Vegas style opening for their inaugural semi-annual Las Vegas Market. The five-day show will be held in part at their 10-floor permanent showroom complex in downtown Las Vegas showcasing over 250 companies. Due to increased demand from the home furnishings industry, World Market Center expanded their event to also include two temporary venues: World Pavilions located adjacent to the permanent building featuring approximately 100 companies, and World MarketPlaceSM at Las Vegas Convention Center which holds another 700 companies. In all, in excess of 1,000 leading manufacturers will exhibit at Las Vegas Market with thousands of furniture and accessory retailers expected to attend.
At 2.5 million square feet, World Market Center is the largest launch for any trade show and furniture industry event. Las Vegas Market will showcase a comprehensive presentation of product categories, including furniture, decorative accessories, area rugs, lighting, textiles and more. In conjunction with the event – and also a first in the United States – attendees will have the opportunity to attend Interior Lifestyle USA in the North Halls at the LVCC, which presents a taste of the exhibitors, products and trends from the renowned Heimtextil and Ambiente shows from Europe.
The AWFS®Fair opens two days later on Wednesday, July 27th and runs through Saturday, July 30. “AWFS®Vegas” will occupy the entire one million square feet of the LVCC’s South Hall. Over 800 exhibitors of woodworking machinery as well as suppliers of components, adhesives, finishes, hardware, processed wood, wood veneers, computer software and a myriad of other supplies will have the latest technology and innovation on display. Opening one day earlier, on Tuesday, July 26th and extending through the last day of the Fair is the AWFS® College of Woodworking Knowledge®, the largest educational program in the industry, featuring workshops and Special Machinery and Relevant Technology (SMART) demonstrations of the newest hi-tech equipment. Manufacturers of furniture, casegoods, cabinets, architectural millwork, and wood products are expected to attend.
Dan Kush, of Kushwood Manufacturing is also excited at the synergy, but wished there were more time. “I’ll be staying an extra day or two to take in the AWFS®Fair after our showroom is closed – but I could use another couple of days to take it all in. However, it’s great to have this all happen together.”
Many companies are looking forward to attending two shows in one week and saving additional time that would have been spent on the road. Rob Woods commented, “Last year, we spent 16 weekends a year at shows – that’s a lot of time away from the office and from the family. Co-locating shows with various elements of the industry makes a lot of sense both in time and money.”
Further information on both shows can be found at www.AWFSfair.org and www.LasVegasMarket.com.
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International