WMC kicks off new year with focus on bedding
David Perry, Executive editor -- Furniture Today, February 1, 2010
Are you ready for some football?
The bedding industry officially kicks off the new year, one that offers the promise of growth, for a change, with a Las Vegas bedding bonanza.
This market, home to a potent and deep lineup of bedding and sleep accessories producers, once again has much to offer. And this time, the World Market Center is taking its bedding game to another level, one featuring some football themes.
As the nation's premier sporting event — yes, it's the Super Bowl — looms next weekend, the WMC is “playing to win” with Bedding's Big Kickoff, an invitation-only event Tuesday evening. Calling the signals at that event is a former National Football League quarterback who knows a good deal about how to play that most challenging position.
Archie Manning, whose long career with the New Orleans Saints (and shorter stints with the Houston Oilers and the Minnesota Vikings) saw him win the league's Most Valuable Player award and throw 125 touchdowns, will be tossing out some business insights at the kickoff event.
The guy also knows how to develop talent: His sons Peyton and Eli, both of current NFL fame, need no introduction. I'm looking forward to his talk.
That event is part of the WMC's special focus on bedding this market, one that includes a private power breakfast that Furniture/Today will be hosting for leading bedding producers. I'll be reporting on the conversation there.
The football theme may well provide a useful measuring stick for this market. Major producers are going deep with some strong offerings, including an all-new Beautyrest line at Simmons, a key new specialty sleep line at Sealy, and the Perfect Day and Smart Support Collections at Serta. Will they cross the goal line with buyers?
Sticking with the football theme, will some producers fumble as the competition closes in on them? There is strong competition in key segments like memory foam. Memory foam leader Tempur-Pedic will show its complete Tempur-Cloud line in Las Vegas. Who else will stand out in that category? Who will be left on the sidelines?
I hope my many bedding friends survive the market blitz of meetings, appointments, dinners and demonstrations. I wish you much success with those new lines. Let's get some big yardage as the first important plays of 2010 unfold.
Contact David Perry at dperry@reedbusiness.com
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