Trade show veteran Phillip McKay joins WMC

Will oversee gift, lighting, rugs, accessories at Las Vegas Market

Larry Thomas -- Furniture Today, 11/14/2008 7:26:03 AM

LAS VEGAS — Trade show industry veteran Phillip McKay has been named senior vice president of the World Market Center here.

In the newly created position, McKay will oversee leasing to the gift, lighting, rugs and decorative accessories segments, and also will be responsible for launching new product categories on the WMC campus.

Additionally, he will oversee the development of existing and future trade show events at the site.

McKay most recently was president and CEO of PPM Media, a trade show production company he founded. He earlier held senior management posts with trade show companies including Gartner Vision Events, Penton Media and Key3Media.

He is on the board of the Society of Independent Show Organizers and serves on several committees of the International Assn. for Exhibition Management.

"Phil's extensive background in the tradeshow industry is a great resource for World Market Center Las Vegas as we position ourselves for the future," said Bob Maricich, president and CEO. "He is highly regarded in the industry and has the skills and knowledge base necessary to ensure World Market Center is the most effective and efficient platform for the industry."

Separately, WMC officials announced that Jordan Spencer, a firm that represents several upper-end residential and hospitality furniture companies, has opened an 18,000-square-foot, multi-line showroom.

The new showroom in space C-412 is part of the WMC's Las Vegas Design Center, which features year-round showrooms that cater to designers.

Jordan Spencer's lines include Lorts Mfg., Artitalia, Pearson, Lee Inds., Currey & Co., Casa Fiora, Jonathan Charles and Wildwood.