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Good show, but Vegas organizers still learning

Jerry Epperson -- Furniture Today, February 26, 2006

The recent Las Vegas market has received a lot of high praise, and we agree. Congratulations to the World Market Center on its first winter market which, in some ways, was more challenging than the inaugural summer show because January is the peak month for conventions, meetings and shows in Sin City, and a strong month for tourism.

Even so, we think the market could have been better.

First, the computer glitches that caused lengthy registration lines on Monday represent a serious failure, and wasted time on a key day. If the industry is going to honor an opening day — and there has been some discussion about who was shopping over the weekend — then the WMC had better be ready for the crowds on Monday morning.

Second, why couldn't the showrooms at Mandalay Bay open on Monday? A convention the week before was still clearing out Sunday, and when we visited late in the day Monday, the floors were disorganized and trucks still lined up outside. This is a problem that stems from using multiple facilities. You are at the mercy of the timing of different groups.

Yes, the WMC told Bay exhibitors they wouldn't be able to open until Tuesday, and they tried to communicate that to retailers, not always successfully. Still, to take away the busiest day of a three- or four-day market seems less than fair to the Mandalay Bay exhibitors. Thankfully, the convention center there was a full and happy place on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Finally, the lighting in the tent at the separately organized Rio show was weak and unfair to those exhibitors. Kudos to Emerald Home Furnishings for bringing in its own lighting, which made everyone realize how dim the other showrooms looked.

Please understand: Las Vegas was a fun place to be, and we met few exhibitors or retailers who regretted the trip. But organizers are still learning.

As odd as it sounds, I'm not looking forward to the opening of the WMC's 16-floor second building a year from now. That's because I enjoy the open feeling of the Pavilions, the Mandalay Bay space and the Rio. We found these temporary spaces to be friendlier and more conducive to interaction than the more private permanent showrooms. Plus, you are more likely to stumble upon something new or a new resource.

This was a terrific market for West Coast retailers, midsized manufacturers and importers in the broad lower and middle price ranges, and for the bedding sector. Larger retailers were there, but not as obvious and numerous as they were last summer.

We are looking forward to even better markets in Las Vegas.

Author Information

W.W. "Jerry" Epperson is a managing director of Mann, Armistead & Epperson, 119 Shockoe Slip, Richmond, Va., an investment banking and research company that specializes in the furnishings sector. The company is affiliated with Ferris, Baker Watts, a full-service brokerage headquartered in Washington.

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Good show, but Vegas organizers still learning

Mar 1, 2006

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