BR resources see vibrant action
By Jeff Linville -- Furniture Today, February 4, 2007
Las Vegas — The World Market Center is no longer High Point's little brother for many bedroom furniture exhibitors.
Case goods sources showing here last week said they saw as many, if not more, buyers here than at the average High Point Market.
The launch of Building B drew much attention — and checkbooks — to showrooms, prompting discussion and rumors about which wood companies might pull out of North Carolina.
Creative Elegance already has shown for the last time in High Point. The California-based manufacturer attended the April 2006 market, but didn't return in the fall. Co-owner Mark Popel said he and his brother Aaron decided to take a gamble that Las Vegas could become the dominant market its backers have vowed it will be.
"That has yet to be seen," said Popel, but added that the strong flow of buyers past his door made him confident in his choice of venues.
Star International spent three markets in the Pavilions tents here and was pleased with traffic at its new permanent space in Building B.
"We haven't had shows like this since the mid '80s," said Star President Anders Johnson. The WMC is new and stylish, he said, while "High Point looks like something from the '60s."
Seeing buyers from across the United States was gratifying for Orleans Furniture. A High Point and Tupelo exhibitor, Orleans was looking to this market to increase its Western presence, but hoped it would be more than a regional event, said President Ed Marshall. That wish was granted when more than half the visiting retailers were from east of the Rockies.
Broyhill also wrote business with retailers from all over the country, said Fran Scheller, merchandise manager for bedroom and dining.
Vaughan-Bassett made its Las Vegas debut and was happy with the traffic. Doug Bassett, executive vice president of sales and marketing, said daily numbers looked comparable to High Point.
Las Vegas did well this winter at replacing a strong San Francisco market for designer and importer Zocalo, which is based in the Bay Area. Most of its West Coast retailers who don't travel to High Point showed up in Vegas, the company said.
Some exhibitors worried that all the buzz about Building B might reduce traffic at the original building, but Building A exhibitors said they didn't see any drop in numbers.
Traffic at Lane in Building A was up over January 2006. And buyers weren't just kicking tires. The company wrote orders, said Ray Allori, vice president of merchandising and advertising.
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