Our research clearly shows that buyers and exhibitors don't want more days in a market...they want to focus on a market that is convenient and productive and is respectful of the value of their time and money.
Robert Maricich, President and CEO, World Market Center

Robert Maricich, President and Chief Executive Officer, World Market Center, addresses the crowd at the Building C ribbon cutting as actress Susan Anton and World Market Center executives look on. See photo gallery of the 2008 July Las Vegas Furniture Market here.

Starting in 2009, the Las Vegas Furniture Market will switch to a Fall and Winter instead of Summer and Winter schedule. The Fall 2009 Las Vegas Market will be held Sept. 14-17 and will also be reduced from five to four days in length. The move puts the Vegas Market within 30 days of its rival High Point Furniture Market, currently scheduled for October 17-22, 2009.

World Market Center officials say the change in Market dates "is designed to better serve every segment of the home furnishings industry both domestically and internationally."

The new date pattern for Fall 2009 and the Markets thereafter, officially start on Monday and close on Thursday, and do not conflict with any of the Jewish holidays. The Winter 2009 Las Vegas Market will take place Feb. 9-13, 2009, as previously scheduled.

"Our research clearly shows that buyers and exhibitors don't want more days in a market," said President and Chief Executive Officer Robert Maricich. "Rather they want to focus on a market that is convenient and productive and is respectful of the value of their time and money."

The new dates also accommodate the international strategic partners and initiatives, as they avoid January, a month that has several European shows, and August, a vacation month for many Europeans.

In addition to its Fall 2009 Las Vegas Market dates, World Market Center announced new Las Vegas Market dates through 2011. These dates are set for, Feb. 1-4, 2010; Sept. 13-16, 2010; Feb. 14-17, 2011; and Sept. 12-15, 2011.

World Market Center also revealed it plans to launch a new and separate Gift and Decorative Accessories show in Summer 2010 to further address the specific needs of this important segment of the industry. The event will enable exhibitors to showcase their products at an opportune time for the holiday buying season. The initiative is part of World Market Center's expanding business platform; other industry segments will be evaluated for possible stand alone trade shows as well.

The recently concluded July 2008 Las Vegas Market hosted a record-breaking crowd with more than 50,000 buyers, exhibitors and designers and a growing share of international attendees. The world's fastest growing home furnishings event also reported a 7 percent increase in attendance over last year which is a strong indication of Las Vegas Market's continued growth.