Clint Engel
Gets jump on WMC

LAS VEGAS — The Las Vegas Furniture Show at the Sands Expo Center will open on Sunday for its July run, giving it a one-day jump on the World Market Center show.

Organizers of the Las Vegas Furniture Show also said the Sands now is its permanent home. In January, the show was relocated to the Rio because of a scheduling conflict.

This summer, organizers expect to have over 100 exhibitors occupying 275,000 square feet of space, at least twice the size of the January Rio show.

“We had a very successful show at the Rio, but we are happy to be back in our permanent spot at the Sands,” said Stephan Phelps, show director.

A noon Sunday opening on July 23 is planned.

“Our research showed that almost everyone traveling to Vegas arrives on Sunday,” Phelps said. “With our show opening on Sunday, it helps buyers be even more productive at market.”

The Sands show also will honor the badges of all furniture market venues, eliminating the need to re-register at the Sands if it’s not the first stop. Phelps said he hopes other venues will adopt the procedure, “but that’s their call.”

Dana Pretner, director of marketing and public relations for the World Market Center, said WMC and its venues don’t plan to honor other badges. She said WMC will unveil streamlined registration for July that will make the process more efficient.

“It’s very important we have integrity in our credentialing and registration list and capture the data of every buyer who attends our market,” she said. “Therefore, we need them to register directly with our market.”

As in the past, the Sands show expects a heavy concentration of upholstery manufacturers. As it did at the Rio in January, the show is offering a no-strings-attached space rate of $12 per net square foot, including freight, drayage, unionlabor, carpeting, electrical and several other items exhibitors may need.

“There are no hidden costs in this show,” said Chris Meecha, director of sales for the event.“Manufacturers pay one price and one price only. They can budget for exactly what it will cost.”

In the past, some exhibitors have complained about unexpected, extra expenses they have faced at various Vegas market venues, including the Sands and WMC.

The Sands show also will offer discounted room rates in the nearby Venetian and Treasure Island hotels, although it hasn’t said what the rates will be.

From 5:30 to 7 p.m. on its Sunday opening day, the Las Vegas Furniture Show will host a launch party. Shuttles will run to and from other hotels that day from 11:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. From Monday, July 24, through Wednesday, July 26, show hours will be 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., and shuttles will run from 7 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. to and from hotels and from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. to and from the WMC.

The Sands show also plans to link up again with a local charity for exhibitors who want to donate samples rather than return them to the factory. After the summer 2012 market, manufacturers donated more than $100,000 worth of furniture and bedding to the Shade Tree Shelter for women and children.