65 percent of buyers believe that World Market Center will be the most important home furnishings market in the next 5 years, and 31 percent believe it is the most important market now.

A survey of 256 furniture manufacturers/importers and 869 furniture retailers/buyers from across the country and abroad concluded that the Las Vegas Furniture Market will become the dominant U.S. market within 5 years.

The study was commissioned by World Market Center and designed by THMG, a marketing consulting and customer analytics firm based in Cleveland, Ohio. BlueSky Research, also of Cleveland, independently conducted the research which included qualitative and quantitative phases along with exit surveys that ran from January to July 2007. The research polled qualified home furnishings manufacturers and buyers who represented a broad cross section of companies from all geographic regions, sales volume and product specialties. The study was executed as a double-blind survey, in which neither the research sponsor nor the respondent was revealed.

"The home furnishings industry is quickly changing, and the new and future paradigm is very different than it was twenty, and even ten, years ago in terms of how manufacturers and buyers conduct their business and utilize markets," said Shawn Samson, Co-managing Partner of World Market Center.

65 percent of buyers believe that World Market Center will be the most important home furnishings market in the next 5 years, and 31 percent believe it is the most important market now. Among the manufacturer set, 58 percent state that Las Vegas will be the most important market by 2012, and 29 percent say it is the most important market now.

For manufacturers, among the factors that are highly important to their decision to show at markets, World Market Center ranked significantly higher than other markets in reaching new buyers; offering great amenities to attract buyers; having strong effective marketing; and offering a growing market with a clear, long term vision.

Buyers scored Las Vegas Market significantly higher than other markets for offering an efficient experience; the ability to travel there affordably and easily; food and accommodations offered are at a good value; the registration process is easy; the market is held in a good location; the ability to get around market easily; products are organized logically by category and showrooms are near each other; and overall say that the market communicates well with retailers. Retailers also ranked Las Vegas Market higher than other markets for seeing vendors' new products; finding unique products to buy and good deals; a source for learning new trends and new design ideas; and say they can get their major buying done at one time.

The study quantified productivity for market-goers, and Las Vegas Market was ranked more efficient than other markets. Buyers who had attended Las Vegas and major other markets reported that they saw virtually the same number of vendors in one day less time.

The survey also verified that large retailers are attracted to and consistently attend Las Vegas Market. This result is further corroborated by the fact that the Summer 2007 Las Vegas saw its highest influx of leading retailers with 75 percent of the Top 100 in attendance.

Complementing the on-line research was an on-site exit survey, conducted independently by BlueSky Research and Survey America of Nevada at the recent July 2007 Las Vegas Market. Results among visiting buyers indicate:

-- 75 percent of those attending the Las Vegas Market say that it is better than others attended in the last
12 months.
-- 86 percent said they are buying as much as, or more, than they do at other markets.
-- 96 percent of those attending say they are satisfied with their Las Vegas Market experience.
-- 94 percent say they would recommend Las Vegas Market to colleagues and others within their company.

The Winter 2008 Las Vegas Market is scheduled for January 28 to February 1, 2008 at World Market Center's Buildings A, B and Pavilions and tradeshow at the MGM Grand Hotel.