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David Perry

4 bedding shows in week give Vegas a winning hand

A few weeks ago I got a call from the president of a bedding company that doesn’t show at the Las Vegas market. “Can you put something about us in the paper?” he asked. “We don’t want to get lost in all the excitement about Las Vegas.”

Sorry, Charlie (not his real name), I responded. The Vegas market dominates the bedding landscape this time of year. Stories about Las Vegas bedding happenings are more plentiful these days than showgirls on the Strip (although somewhat less revealing, perhaps).

My caller, partial to the High Point market, doesn’t like all the attention Las Vegas is generating. He’s in the distinct minority. Literally dozens of bedding producers are delighting in the opportunity to do business in Las Vegas.

As I write this, the second edition of the Vegas market is off to a booming start. This looks like the single strongest bedding show I’ve seen in more than two decades of attending home furnishings markets. To throw some fancy words around, we have a plethora of plush pillowtops, a maze of amazing mattresses, a cornucopia of cushy consumer-created collections.

Please forgive the alliteration. I’ve been cranking out bedding copy for weeks, struggling to keep up with the flood of major bedding announcements.

In those weeks, Sealy announced the introduction of its new Posturepedic line, which incorporates fire-resistant materials throughout. Simmons said its popular bowling ball campaign would return. Serta revealed a link with fashion designer Vera Wang. Spring Air said it would bring four collections to Las Vegas, and Tempur-Pedic said it would debut a $7,000 bed.

That’s five major stories from five bedding majors. I could go on, but I think you get the point.

The bedding industry has stolen the spotlight in Las Vegas. That’s not an easy thing to do, but the bedding firepower in Vegas cannot be denied. Sadly, for me, it’s too much for one humble bedding writer to cover in depth.

Think about it: There were four bedding events going on here last week. First, the main market, packed with bedding producers. Then there were the futon and the specialty sleep events, shows-within-the-show. And components major Leggett & Platt presented its own trade show here too.

While my dance card was overflowing, the sheer excitement of the week could not be denied: major new lines to see, bold new advertising campaigns to preview, merchandising meetings to attend, parties to take us all deep into the night.

The Las Vegas market crams all this into a relatively short time span. It adds up to a high-energy week, a blur of activity. Wow! This is an awesome bedding market.  (to add public comments click on "Add your Comment" below, or to email Dave directly click here.)