WMC pushes back its first market to July 2005
By Clint Engel -- Furniture Today, December 14, 2003
Las Vegas — The planned World Market Center here has pushed back its first furniture market dates to July 2005 from January of that year because construction is behind schedule.
Project officials said WMC's industry advisory board unanimously approved the change to July 18–22, 2005, at its meeting here last week. The dates are the same as WMC's earlier announced plans for its second market, but with the addition of Monday, July 18, so that attendees can take advantage of Las Vegas attractions on the weekends before and after market.
In addition, WMC also said it will soon announce a "major strategic relationship with significant positive impact on the development and operation of the Las Vegas market," but declined to say more except that the advisory board approved and supported the development.
The market date change was a "result of satisfying the construction requirements to deliver a first-class facility," the WMC said in a press release.
Earlier, developers had said vertical construction would begin this past summer. Now, barring delays in receiving a final building permit from the city by the end of this year, they expect foundation and steel erection to occur during the first quarter of next year, said Shawn Samson, co-managing partner.
"Virtually all of our exhibitors have expressed their desire to create exciting showrooms with above-standard improvements that are unique to Las Vegas," said Dave Palmer, WMC general manager. He added that the move to summer dates will give all exhibitors "the opportunity to plan, design and execute their showrooms to their desired specifications.
"Our debut market is critical, and we want to deliver a first-class facility for exhibitors and buyers alike," Palmer said.
The board meeting included a tour of the site for the first-phase, 1.3 million-square-foot building under excavation near downtown Las Vegas.
"Ideally, I think everyone would have loved to have that January market (to make) a first impression here," said Keith Feuerhaken, Flexsteel vice president of sales and a WMC advisory board member.
"But the important thing is this is the first of many, many markets we're going to have out here, so if the first happens in July, so be it. I think the date is really not as important as the venue itself."
Bob O'Neill, another board member and managing director of Southern Textiles, said, "Faster would have been better, but we what to get it right. Whatever it takes to get it right, I'm willing to wait."
During the meeting, board members were also updated on leasing activities for future phases and plans for construction of a temporary venue for the first phase to help ease overflow demand. WMC now said the temporary space may reach 400,000 square feet.
-
WMC breaks ground on 'first-class' facility
Mar 31, 2003 -
Vegas sets first market
Mar 23, 2003 -
WMC sets construction symposium
Apr 18, 2004 -
WMC seeks tenants for second building
Oct 26, 2003 -
Many attendees pleased with inaugural IFAM show
Feb 15, 2004
Featured Company
-
FurnitureCore.com
FurnitureCore.com is a dynamic web application aimed at the furniture industry. Retailers and manufacturers alike will find our deep reserve of tools to be exactly what their furniture business needs.www.furniturecore.com... more
VIEW ALL GALLERIES
