Survey rates High Point, Vegas markets
By Jay McIntosh -- Furniture Today, October 3, 2005
High Point — Statistically speaking, retailers, manufacturers and sales representatives like Las Vegas.
A Furniture/Today Internet survey of 581 members of the industry, most of whom attended the Las Vegas market in July, indicated that 28% of the retailers who responded were so impressed with Vegas that they are thinking of no longer attending the High Point market.
A smaller number of manufacturers, 15%, also said they may pull out of High Point.
On most questions, respondents to the survey answered favorably regarding the Las Vegas market. An example: When asked whether each market was worth attending or showing at, based on the expense of doing so, a far greater percentage of retailers, manufacturers and reps gave Vegas the nod over High Point.
The Las Vegas market in late July marked the opening of the first phase of the World Market Center. Organizers of the event said it drew 62,000 registered visitors, a number that rivals High Point's typical reported attendance of about 70,000.
Vegas had 2.8 million square feet of permanent and temporary showroom space, far less than High Point's 12 million square feet. World Market Center officials say they plan to expand in phases over seven years, to more than 12 million square feet.
Furniture/Today's survey indicates Las Vegas could continue to prosper, although many want to see what future markets hold, beginning with the second edition set for Jan. 30–Feb.3. Respondents said they hope problems with the transportation system will be solved, and they'd like to see larger showrooms and a wider selection of products.
Regarding High Point, only 4% of retailers said it needs larger showrooms. Comments indicated the bounty of products in High Point would keep most visitors coming back.
Retailers' suggestions for improving High Point focused largely on lodging — 64% said hotel room rates should be lower, and 53% said more rooms should be available at market time. Smaller percentages said the North Carolina market should have more convenient parking, more affordable restaurants, and increased entertainment opportunities.
Manufacturers that showed in Las Vegas gave it generally positive marks.
Only 2% said they may not show at the market again, while 23% said they want to increase the size of their showrooms in the city.
However, 43% of manufacturers said their showroom set-up costs were higher in Las Vegas than in High Point. While 51% said the overall expense of showing in Vegas was about what they had anticipated, 38% said it was higher than expected.
Among retailers and reps, a majority said the cost of attending the Las Vegas show was about what they had expected.
