Las Vegas Market Forges Alliances with Record 36 Industry Partners

Furniture World News Desk on 12/31/2017

Las Vegas Market recently announced that a new partnerships with The Good Toy Group will bring a total of 36 new and returning industry organizations – the highest-ever number of alliances in Market history – to the Winter 2018 Las Vegas Market, January 28-February 1, 2018, for a comprehensive slate of membership activities including special programming, tours, educational opportunities and networking events and more.

In addition to the “Play & Preview 2018 Games” meeting by new partner The Good Toy Group, expansions of existing partnerships for Winter Market include a first-ever winter breakfast for members of The PRESENTer Network and a series of special parties and networking events for buyers from the PLATIN- Latin American Alliance. Additionally, recurring Winter Market highlights include the TRIB Group’s fourth Las Vegas Furniture Market Think Tank and the return of the annual members-only FMG Symposium featuring entertainer Mike Rayburn as keynote speaker, Las Vegas Market also again will host two special networking receptions for spa and non-profit partners: Non-Profit Retail Networking Reception in collaboration with Association for Healthcare Volunteer Resources Professionals (AHVRP), Museum Store Association (MSA) and Zoo & Aquarium Buyers Group (ZAG); and Spa Buyers, Manager and Directors in collaboration with Spa Industry Association (SIA) & Las Vegas Spa Association (LVSA).

“Las Vegas Market is uniquely positioned as a dynamic venue for the foremost industry associations and organizations to shop, meet, network, share information, as well as serve and build their membership,” said Karen Olson, Senior Vice President of Marketing, International Market Centers. “As the leading furniture, home decor and gift destination in the western United States, Las Vegas Market is committed to working closely with these affiliated organizations to develop relevant shopping, marketing, networking and educational opportunities that foster partnerships throughout the industry.”

Las Vegas Market’s expanding partnership program now includes some 36 retail and trade organizations from across the United States, Canada, Mexico and South America, including its newest industry affiliate, the Good Toy Group, which is attending and hosting its “Play & Preview 2018 Games” meeting at Las Vegas Market for the first time. The Good Toy Group includes 80 toy stores and 135 locations across the country, uniting the best independent toy stores in a member-owned, cohesive, buying cooperative to share resources, leverage market power and reputation, and curate the best-in-class specialty play products.

Las Vegas Market also is catering to a broad international base of retailers and exhibitors and is planning a number of activities for the PLATIN- Latin American Alliance. These special events include a vendor-sponsored “Welcome Party” for all PLATIN buyers, a special reception with Christopher Guy Harrison during the Christopher Guy showroom cocktail party, a ZUO showroom cocktail party and an IMC-sponsored networking event.

Winter Market also marks the return of the Non-Profit Retail Networking Reception in collaboration with Association for Healthcare Volunteer Resources Professionals (AHVRP), Museum Store Association (MSA) and Zoo & Aquarium Buyers Group (ZAG) on Monday, scheduled for January 29, in Pavilion 1. Existing and prospective association members and vendors are welcome to network with non-profit retail experts from across the country. Please RSVP to: http://imcenters.nprreceptionlvm-w18.sgizmo.com/s3/

A first-ever Winter Market breakfast reception will be held for members of The PRESENTer Network, a group of 100+ select independent gift retailers nationwide, who distribute PRESENT Magazine – a consumer magazine about gifts and gifting – to their customers.

The TRIB Group will be gathering for its fourth Las Vegas Furniture Market Think Tank on Monday, January 29 and Tuesday, January 30 at Las Vegas Market with approximately 40 member companies represented by more than 60 attendees. Each morning, the group will hear short presentations covering market specials, member programs and new introductions by TRIB Group-approved vendors showing at Winter Market. Members will also be treated to social and networking opportunities while at Market.

Another highlight of Winter Market will be the return of the annual members-only FMG Symposium, sponsored by the largest volume member-owned networking and buying group in the furniture industry. The 2018 FMG Symposium, which is a signature event that serves furniture retailers and provides networking and education for all FMG members and endorsed vendor partners, kicks off Thursday, January 25 with keynote speaker Mike Rayburn, who asks “What If…?” in a presentation on that features “world-class guitar and hilarious comedy.” Advertising Hall of Famer Linda Kaplan Thaler is the second-day headliner and responsible for some of America’s most famous and award-winning advertising campaigns, including the Aflac duck and the “Yes, Yes, Yes” commercials for Clairol Herbal Essence shampoo. All FMG members and endorsed vendor partners are invited and encouraged to participate..

Las Vegas Market is developing events and activities customized to the specific needs of each of the 36 partnership organizations participating in Winter Market 2018. New and returning industry affiliates include: Association for Healthcare Volunteer Resource Professionals (AHVRP); Accessories Resource Team (ART); American Specialty Toy Retailing Association (ASTRA); Brand Source; Cantrex Nationwide – Canada; Contemporary Design Group (CDG); Craft Retailers & Artists for Tomorrow (CRAFT); Furniture Marketing Group (FMG); Furniture First; Furniture Leaders; GC Buying Group (formerly Gourmet Catalog); Gift and Home Trade Association (GHTA); Good Toy Group; Home Furnishings Association (HFA); HTI Buying Group (formerly Housewares Training Information); International Furnishings and Design Association (IFDA); indiCo; Las Vegas Spa Association (LVSA); MAI Retailers (formerly Monograms America); MEGA Group Canada; The Munce Group; Museum Store Association (MSA); Nationwide Marketing Group; PLATIN- Latin American Alliance; PRESENTer Network; Parable Group; Pacific Furniture Dealers; Purchasing Power Plus (PPP); Real Deals; Real Estate Staging Association®; Real Local Florists; Sierra Pacific Craft (SPC); SMI – Mexico (Sociedad Mexicana de Interioristas AC); Spa Industry Association (SIA, formerly the Day Spa Association & & International Medical Spa Association); TRIB Group; and Zoo & Aquarium Buyers’ Group (ZAG). For more details, and a full listing of partners, visit: www.lasvegasmarket.com/industry-partners.

More about Las Vegas Market: Las Vegas Market is the nation’s fastest growing gift and home décor market and the leading furniture marketplace in the western U.S., presenting 4,000+ gift, home décor and furniture resources in an unrivaled market destination. Las Vegas Market features thousands of gift, furniture and home décor lines, allowing for cross-category commerce among these industries. The Winter 2018 Las Vegas Market runs January 28 to February 1, 2018. For more information, visit www.lasvegasmarket.com.

More about International Market Centers, L.P.: Las Vegas Market is produced by International Market Centers, L.P. (IMC), the world’s largest operator of premier showroom space for the furnishings, home décor and gift industries. International Market Centers owns and operates 12.2 million square feet of world-class exhibition space in High Point, N.C. and Las Vegas. IMC’s mission is to build and operate an innovative, sustainable, profitable and scalable platform for the furnishings, home décor and gift industries. For more information on IMC, visit http://imcenters.com/.