A market in Vegas? Why not have three?
Larry Thomas, Business editor -- Furniture Today, May 3, 2004
For several years, the industry has been enveloped in a sometimes-spirited debate about the merits of a furniture market in Las Vegas. And it's a debate that will only intensify as the scheduled date for the first show in the World Market Center approaches.
Meanwhile, a new debate is emerging between the WMC and not one, but two other trade show promoters that are organizing Vegas shows of their own. As it stands now, both of these other events will begin July 19, 2005, one day after the first Las Vegas market is scheduled to begin at the WMC.
One show, run by Bentley International Group, has had its inaugural run and goes by the grandiose name International Furniture & Accessories Marketplace. Promoters say next year's show could occupy 700,000 square feet or more at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
The other show is being called simply The Las Vegas Furniture Show. It is set for the Sands Convention Center and could occupy more than 500,000 square feet, according to Triad Expositions, the Louisville, Ky., firm that is promoting this event.
WMC officials are none too pleased with either of these piggyback events, which could lure away potential exhibitors from the 400,000 square feet of temporary space the WMC plans to begin leasing by late summer. (The first permanent showroom building, now under construction, is fully leased.)
And while both competitors are telling potential exhibitors they will provide shuttle service to and from the WMC, it appears they will have to pick up and drop off passengers on nearby public streets. That's not an inviting prospect in July, when Las Vegas temperatures routinely top 100 degrees.
"We do not plan to cooperate with other trade shows," said Dave Palmer, the WMC's general manager and director of leasing. "They cannot come onto our property."
Palmer said that wouldn't be fair to WMC exhibitors "who are paying lots of money to exhibit here." And some of that money is being spent on promotional efforts aimed at attracting buyers to the WMC, not to offsite events beyond the WMC's control.
There already has been a fair amount of behind-the-scenes sniping by organizers of all three Vegas shows. It will be fascinating to watch these three shows prepare to do battle in July 2005.
We're betting at least one of them never opens its doors.
Meanwhile, we'll leave you with a few words from Chris Kennedy, president of Merchandise Mart Properties Inc., which owns some 2.2 million square feet of showroom space in High Point. During the just-concluded High Point market, Kennedy told us he was prepared to defend MMPI's turf against Las Vegas with all guns blazing.
"We have a huge commitment and deep pockets … and we will do whatever it takes to protect our assets here," he said, noting that MMPI has tons of experience dealing with competitors of other shows it operates around the country.
"We've beaten competitors before, and we'll beat this one too," he said.
