Las Vegas Market says attendance up 7% over July 2007

Big jump in number of designers at market

Staff Staff -- Furniture Today, August 25, 2008

LAS VEGAS - Aided by a double-digit increase in retail buyers, World Market Center officials said total attendance at the recent furniture market was 7% above the July 2007 market.

Last month's market, which featured the grand opening of the WMC's third showroom building, also saw a dramatic increase in the number of designers in attendance.

"Considering the very difficult environment in the home furnishings industry, this is a remarkable uptick," said Bob Maricich, president and CEO of the market center.

He said retail buyer attendance was 15% ahead of July 2007, while there was a 93% jump in designers attending the market.

"We set out to create excitement and provide an environment of optimism - and we were successful by every measure," Maricich said.

The WMC didn't release specific attendance figures, but said total registrations "exceeded the historic average of 50,000."

The next Las Vegas market will take place Feb. 9-13, 2009.