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David Perry

10 bedding lines, spaces you should see in Vegas

For your humble consideration, your humble bedding writer offers this helpful Top 10 list. We will call it: 10 Must-See Bedding Lines and Showrooms in Las Vegas.

1. Sealy’s new promotional brand, shown in the producer’s new World Market Center B-800 showroom. The line has a three-year warranty. Hey, I like that. I hope it sparks similar moves by other bedding producers. Retailers: Tell your bedding vendors you’d like to see shorter warranties.

2. The Beautyrest line Simmons is unveiling. The company is expanding its commitment to Vegas with a second WMC showroom, A-946. (The original showroom is A-525.) That will make for a "huge display" of Simmons products, the company says. Simmons had a great year in 2006. Can it keep up the momentum in 2007? We’ll see what happens in Vegas.

3. The America’s Mattress showroom opening in WMC B-1045. That is Serta’s sleep shop program, and the producer makes a strong push for it by giving it a permanent showroom. Serta, by the way, also will show its new Vera Wang line in its WMC A-710 showroom. Check that one out too.

4. Spring Air’s new Grid2-designed showroom. I’ve already heard some favorable buzz about that space, WMC B-1126. Stop in and meet Spring Air’s new spokeswoman, "Comfort Queen" Jennifer Louden.

5. New mattresses and a new pillow at Tempur-Pedic (WMC A-1036). The visco leader is once again keeping the wraps on its introductions, but everything it does is significant. I’m anxious to see what’s new at Tempur-Pedic. I bet I will like it.

6. The Laura Ashley line at Comfort Solutions (WMC A-546). Laura Ashley is a great name in the home furnishings industry and this new mattress line offers both bold and elegant color statements and designs, we’ve been told. Sounds promising.

7. The AirTouch line of airbeds that Therapedic is introducing (WMC B-822). The company says it offers more bang for the buck at various price points than some bigger-name competitors. Is that just a bunch of hot air, or are the winds of change swirling through the industry? You decide.

8. Fancy new bedding showrooms everywhere. Serta offers a spa theme in its Building A showroom, Emerald excites all of the senses with its new Emerald sleep gallery (WMC B-1350) and Connie Post shows new retail display concepts at Dormia (WMC B-970) and Restonic (WMC B-926).

9. Gel and magnet bedding. Dormia and Restonic both enter the gel category with new high-end beds, and Restonic also has a magnet bed. Exciting new features offer exciting new sales opportunities, in my book.

10. The Specialty Sleep Assn. Show in Pavilion 3. You just might find a compelling new bedding line there.

Well, that’s actually more than 10 must-see products and showrooms, but my list will get you off to a good start. Happy hunting!