International Market Centers


Wednesday, November 30th, 2011

Winter 2012 Las Vegas Market Hosts a Full Slate of Entertainment and Events for Attendees

World Market Center Las Vegas today announced the exciting line-up of events, entertainment and hospitality planned for the Winter 2012 Las Vegas Market,  Jan. 30 – Feb. 3, 2012.

From energizing evening entertainment in the Grand Plaza to special events and receptions throughout the Market floors, Las Vegas Market will once again deliver a compelling Market experience for attendees and exhibitors to network and have fun all week long.

“We want to make sure our attendees not only experience a compelling and successful Las Vegas Market with plenty of inspiration and new product for their stores, but to also have an experience that is enjoyable and offers networking opportunities all week long,” said Robert Maricich, chief executive officer of International Market Centers, parent company of World Market Center Las Vegas. “This is, after all, Las Vegas and world-class hospitality is a priority to providing an exceptional Market experience to our buyers and exhibitors.”

Las Vegas Market attendees are encouraged to take part in these special events throughout the week, all of which are complimentary.

SPECIAL EVENTS AND AMENITIES: 

FOOD TRUCK FESTIVAL

Mon., Jan. 30 from 6-8 p.m., Grand Plaza

Las Vegas Market gets truckin’ as we transform our courtyard into a four-wheeled food fiesta. We’ll have the coolest gourmet food trucks offering sliders, meatballs, BBQ, pizza,  even vegetarian fare and much more to satisfy your cravings. While you’re cruising the courtyard for your cool cuisine, enjoy the All-American atmosphere complete with DJ Twin spinning your favorite tunes from the 50’s and 60’s. It’s the place to park yourself for a fun-filled evening.

GRAB ‘N’ GO BREAKFAST

Tues., Jan. 31 through Thurs., Feb. 2 from 7:30-10:30 a.m., Grand Plaza

Start the day off right with a delicious Grab ‘N’ Go breakfast compliments of Las Vegas Market, provided each morning in the Grand Plaza as buyers start their buying day.

BOOGIE NIGHTS

Tues., Jan. 31 from 6-8 p.m., Grand Plaza

Las Vegas Market turns Funkytown in this 70’s inspired courtyard party. Get down tonight and shake your groove thang to the fun-filled melodies of the disco era, led by the band Boogie Nights.  Enjoy complimentary food, refreshments and cocktails, but don’t forget to bring your dancing boots. It’s sure to be one far out gig, to the max! Can you dig it?

 

HAPPY HOUR ON SELECT FURNITURE FLOORS

Mon., Jan. 30–Thurs., Feb. 2, 4-6 p.m., Select Furniture Floors A6, A9, B7, C13 & C16

Mix, mingle and network with colleagues nightly on select furniture floors while enjoying delicious cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, compliments of Las Vegas Market.

 

INTERNATIONAL BUYERS BREAKFAST

Wed., Feb. 1 from 8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., International Buyers Lounge, Suite C-484

International buyers are welcome to attend this international breakfast and reception especially for them, compliments of Las Vegas Market. Meet and network with international peers while enjoying an assortment of breakfast treats to get your shopping day started.

SUNSET & DESSERTS

Wed., Feb. 1 from 6-8 p.m., Grand Plaza

When the sun goes down, the party kicks off in the courtyard with sweet treats and even sweeter beats. Enjoy delectable desserts, smores, hot chocolate and more, while the band Guilty Pleasures plays your favorite soft rock jams from the 70’s and 80’s. It’s a fun-filled wrap to the day with all the indulgences your heart desires.

 

COURTYARD UBER LOUNGE

Thurs., Feb. 2 from 6-8 p.m., Grand Plaza

The Grand Plaza turns into a hot Vegas nightspot as Las Vegas Market nears the end of the week. Enjoy complimentary cocktails and hors d’oeuvres while enjoying the music and atmosphere of the courtyard uber lounge.

In addition to the array of events and receptions, other amenities that will be available to attendees include free Wi-Fi on campus, complimentary shuttle to/from host hotels, free parking in multi-level onsite parking garage, fully-equipped Internet lounges and convenient café and food kiosks. 

To register for Las Vegas Market and to book hotels as low as $39 a night, as well as to view a full listing of special events and complimentary seminars, please visitLasVegasMarket.com

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Thursday, November 10th, 2011

Third Annual National Home Furnishings Month Breaks Records

15 Percent More Dealers Participated; 11 Percent Increase in Consumer Engagement

LAS VEGAS – (Nov. 10, 2011) – The third annual National Home Furnishings Month, sponsored by International Market Centers, L.P., broke records after expanding this year’s industry-wide retail campaign to a large American demographic: renters. More sweepstakes entries, more dealer participation and more Is It Home Yet? ™ fans marked this year’s campaign results.

The month-long Is It Home Yet? ™ promotion, which ended Sept. 30, added a new twist to the consumer-targeted promotion by expanding the grand prize, which previously only offered mortgage payments for one year, to now include rent to the offer.

By increasing its participation base to renters, and executing a more targeted social and web campaign, IMC declared it the most successful National Home Furnishing Month to date, drawing nearly 118,000 entries, an 11 percent increase compared to last year’s campaign. The official site, HomeYet.com, drew 128,814 unique visitors and 316,780 page views.

The industry-wide program was designed to drive sales to participating retailers and offer consumers sage advice on home décor. Since inception, the Is It Home Yet? campaign has been offered as a complimentary service to retailers. This year’s campaign attracted 15 percent more stores than last year.

The Is It Home Yet?  Facebook fan base in 2011 increased to 51,396 at the conclusion of the campaign, a 20 percent growth in “Likes” over last year’s campaign. The campaign also received an above average click-through rate on web-based media this year. Out of all the consumers who entered the sweepstakes, 45 percent said that when shopping for furnishings they would mostly seek expert advice and information in stores and 32 percent said they would use the internet.

“For the third year in a row, the National Home Furnishings Month delivered a powerful punch of excitement and engagement for retailers and consumers,” said Robert Maricich, chief executive officer of International Market Centers. “By expanding the Sweepstakes to include renters as well as homeowners—coupled with greater retail partnerships and marketing support—participating stores reached an unprecedented number of followers and new shoppers through a united message and compelling sweepstakes offer.”

The average American adult spends between 25 and 40 percent of their income on housing – by far the greatest monthly expense one bears. Maricich said the Sweepstakes aims to “lighten the load for a family, and at the same time, stimulate interest in other facets of the home, namely purchases of furnishings during the ever-important fourth quarter.”

In addition to a highly motivated consumer audience, participating stores have found National Home Furnishings Month to be addititive to their fall sales numbers, said Maricich.

“The dealers said this was a great tool that they used as an ice breaker over the Labor Day Weekend,” said Kerry Lebensburger, president of Ashley Furniture. “Consumers loved the opportunity to join in the sweepstakes, and it was a great promotion to have over this historically important weekend.”

Isidro Ramos at Ramos Furniture used the promotion as a new marketing tool for his store. “I was very excited to be part of the event to gain more traffic, thus allowing the consumer to learn about our great deals on quality furniture,” he said.

Reed Crawford of Mckeesport, Pa., received the grand prize, and will collect $24,000 cash in one lump sum or $2,000 paid out every month for 12 months. Crawford, a 54-year-old heavy equipment operator, entered to win on the campaign’s official homepage, HomeYet.com.

“My wife and I currently have a mortgage, but due to recent financial woes, we’re about to move to a rental,” said Crawford. “This prize money means so much to us. We’ll be able to get a head start on renting, with our security deposit and first month’s rent, and we’ll use it to help pay for the move. We plan to also buy new furnishings for our new home, too.”

For more information, visit HomeYet.com.

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Tuesday, July 19th, 2011

Ashley Furniture Industries, Inc. Renews Long-term Commitment to International Market Centers

Deal Maintains Partnership for 146K Square Feet of Exclusive Space, Expands With Additional 20K Square Feet Showroom for January 2012

One of the most recognizable brands in the home furnishings industry renewed its long-term commitment to International Market Centers this week.

Ashley Furniture Industries, Inc. signed a deal to keep their exclusive 146,000 square foot space on the fifteenth floor of Building B at World Market Center Las Vegas. Even more, the agreement expands the industry leader’s space to include a new 20,000-square-foot, Market-floor showroom to open for Winter 2012 Las Vegas Market.

“We are proud to continue moving forward with International Market Centers, renewing and growing our space in Las Vegas,” said Todd Wanek, owner and chief executive officer of Ashley Furniture Industries, Inc. “Ashley Furniture has been a staple at World Market Center Las Vegas for more than 4 years and we’re excited at the opportunities that this continued partnership will bring. The Las Vegas Market continually delivers exceptional results for our brand and we are committed to continued success with IMC.”

“This renewal and expansion solidifies our great partnership, highlighting the value this national brand finds in the Las Vegas Market,” said Tom Mitchell, home furnishings president of IMC, parent company of World Market Center Las Vegas. “International Market Centers is confident that through joint ventures with well positioned and established brands like Ashley Furniture, we can continue to deliver exceptional markets in both Las Vegas and High Point that buyers are compelled to attend.”

Ashley Furniture has held the entire fifteenth floor of Building B at World Market Center Las Vegas since the building opened in January 2007. This newly inked agreement will also expand their total space by opening a new 20,000 square foot merchandised showroom for Winter 2012 Las Vegas Market, with opportunities for even more growth in the future.

“Ashley Furniture is a tremendous partner, both for their recognition as a brand and industry leader, as well as a mainstay for new and returning buyers to attend our Markets,” said Robert Maricich, chief executive officer of IMC. “We look forward to our continued mutual successes with Ashley in August and into the future.”

Founded in 1945, Ashley Furniture has been a world leader in manufacturing home furnishings and accessories for more than 65 years. Their products are available through independent furniture dealers worldwide, as well as more than 400 Ashley Furniture Home Store retail locations across North America and Asia.

The upcoming Summer 2011 Las Vegas Market is Aug. 1-5. The Winter 2012 Las Vegas Market is scheduled for Jan. 30 – Feb. 3, 2012.

For more information on Las Vegas Market, visit www.lasvegasmarket.com.

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