Many attendees pleased with inaugural IFAM show
By Thomas Russell -- Furniture Today, February 16, 2004
LAS VEGAS — This month's inaugural International Furniture & Accessories Marketplace gave home furnishings exhibitors and buyers a glimpse of what it might be like to show here on a regular basis.
Many liked what they saw.
"I would most likely do this show again," said Karen King, owner of The Barking Zebra, an importer of case goods and accessories. "I think this show will do pretty well."
Up to now, King's Dallas-based company has mainly shown at the gift show in Atlanta, building a solid base of clients in the East and Midwest. King believes her showing in Las Vegas will help gain clients in the West.
One-year-old Portland, Ore.-based case goods importer World Imports USA has a similar goal and considered IFAM a good place to start.
"Having a West Coast location made sense for us," said Dawn Jackson, World Imports vice president of sales and marketing. Company founder John Berning also said the Las Vegas show was good because his small start-up didn't feel lost in the crowd like it might in High Point.
The applause bodes well for the fledgling IFAM, a temporary venue held for the first time Feb. 4-6 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
It may also be a good sign for the planned World Market Center. The first phase of that project is scheduled to open in July 2005 at 1.3 million square feet. Upon completion in future years, the WMC is expected to have about 7.5 million square feet of showroom and convention center space, including 4 million square feet devoted entirely to furniture and accessories.
The Las Vegas shows are expected to compete for exhibitors and buyers with the San Francisco markets in January and July, which have been the main Western shows.
Among IFAM buyers and exhibitors, there was much talk of the World Market Center. Some buyers reportedly thought IFAM was part of the future Las Vegas show, a notion dispelled by exhibitors, some of whom plan to lease space at the WMC.
"We will show at the World Market Center in the temporary space, providing the prices are not exorbitant," said Marvin Beleck, a manufacturer's representative with Royal Sleep Products "I look forward to the World Market Center because I know there will be a lot of interested furniture buyers."
Joe Bartolowits, co-owner of case goods importer Classic Design, said his company has permanent space in Tupelo, Miss., and is negotiating for a permanent space in the second phase of WMC.
"Las Vegas has always been a place everybody wanted to go," he said. "Now we have a reason to, even if its just two or three days. It's a fun place to be and a fun place to be a part of."
His company also has shown in High Point and may show there again. "If we have to, we'll be in High Point," he said, adding that it will depend partly on how far the company extends its rep base.
Competition from the WMC could pose problems for IFAM, particularly as it seeks to grow. Next year, it plans to add about 250,000 square feet to give it just under 750,000 square feet. Ultimately, it hopes to grow to 2-3 million square feet, said Shane O'Sheeran, general manager of IFAM organizer Bentley International Group.
But O'Sheeran said the two venues should complement each other. His show will attempt to differentiate itself by offering items he says are unique in the marketplace.
IFAM is planning its next show for late January or March of next year. It then would be held twice a year to coincide with the World Market Center events, starting in July 2005.
"I don't see us competing with it at all," he said. "We are focused on something that is a niche. They facilitate full product lines. We facilitate what's hot and what's new. We will certainly coincide (with the WMC shows) to offer buyers an opportunity to come across town and view all the products here that are not covered (there) because of the mainstream nature of the market."
IFAM wants to offer shuttle service during markets between the Convention Center and the WMC, which is several miles away.
WMC officials, however, don't see IFAM complementing their project and don't plan to link the two events in any way.
"It would be unfair to our exhibitors who have spent a lot of money, time, energy and effort for us to cooperate with any kind of trade show that is offsite," said WMC General Manager Dave Palmer. He said the WMC will not allow IFAM shuttles on its property.
The WMC, he added, will have temporary space of its own, starting with about 300,000 square feet in tents, similar to the temporary space once offered at Showplace in High Point. Eventually, that space will move indoors to a convention center type of facility planned as the second and third buildings of WMC get leased.
Depending on how the market grows, officials say a Las Vegas furniture market could expand offsite. But that is not the initial intent of WMC officials.
"Some people think we are going to be another High Point," Palmer said. "We're not. We are a regional market with national and international appeal, and the industry will dictate how it evolves."
Whether or not the market grows to more than one location, one thing was clear: Many retailers at IFAM liked the show and Las Vegas well enough to come back.
That includes Brunella Mohr, owner of Placentia, Calif.-based Sofa Palace, who said she probably would return.
"I like the furniture," she said. "It gives you a nice idea of what's out there, the new ideas and styles coming out. There is so much to see. I think it's great."
