Winter Las Vegas Market
INSPIREDESIGN debut receives solid reviews after Las Vegas show
Plans already under way for enhanced 2011 show
LAS VEGAS —Feb. 16, 2010 — The inaugural INSPIREDESIGN show launched February 1-3, 2010 at World Market Center Las Vegas and lived up to its’ name in every manner of speaking.
Located on the third floor of Building C, nearly 1,100 registered attendees and 60 exhibitors participated in the comprehensive three-day show filled with design inspiration and geared toward the hospitality and high-end health care design communities.
 “I’ve never had such a constant feel good,” said Ronnie Hodge, founder of Dimension Millworks, an exhibitor of the inaugural INSPIREDESIGN. “Ninety-five percent of the people we saw told us that this was one of the most inspiring things they have seen in a long time.”
In keeping with the mission of show, Interior Design magazine created “Design Beyond,” a series of three inspirational vignettes produced by leading architecture and design firms, Gensler; Morris Sato and Belzberg Architects challenged themselves to depict the future in hospitality. From a guest room in the round—which included a mood shower, to a nightclub and bar concept to an intriguing hotel common area, attendees and other exhibitors had a rare opportunity to look beyond the present.
 “Our mission in developing INSPIREDESIGN was to enhance the multi-faceted business platform already in place at World Market Center and to deliver new opportunities to connect with buyers and expand channels of distribution,” said Philip McKay, Senior Vice President of the World Market Center. “INSPIREDESIGN did exactly that, presenting more than a tradeshow experience, more than a market center and more than a traditional design center. There were winners all around. “We are committed to providing education and social networking at a high level and are very proud of the content and social opportunities we delivered in this inaugural year.”
Inspirational touches by world-class designer D.B. Kim, and designer to INSPIREDESIGN, helped to set the stage. Exhibitors representing every design segment brought elegant and creative booths filled with compelling products from extraordinary millwork, to elegant lighting, performance fabrics, beautiful carpet and rugs to contemporary indoor and outdoor furniture and modern plumbing options. Buying groups and specifiers had numerous options to choose from in every category.
“If you’re in hospitality design, this is the next new wave. People who attended the show were mostly interior designers, architects and buying groups,” said William (Bill) Langmade, President of Purchasing Management International (PMI). “The networking opportunities were fantastic, INSPIREDESIGN is the un-tradeshow tradeshow,” he added.
The content sessions for INSPIREDESIGN were kicked off by the awe-inspiring delivery of the keynote address by world-renowned photographer, DeWitt Jones. “What a great way to start the week, Mr. Jones was so inspiring,” said Hennesy Wayser of French Heritage.
There were compelling education sessions for all to attend, offered to exhibitors and attendees at no charge, and Continuing Education Units (CEU’S) could be earned by those needing units. Media partner, Hotel Business magazine, and IIDA, were instrumental in the development of the content sessions where industry leaders spoke about the Green Debate; CEO’s discussed the hospitality business today; Healthcare designers and hospitality designers spoke to the issue of the convergence of hospitality and healthcare. There also were Spanish language sessions sponsored by INSPIREDESIGN’s Spanish language media partner, Latin Press. The sessions were all well attended and in some cases, standing room only.
“After attending many shows over the years, the registration process at INSPIREDESIGN was superb and made doing business very easy,” said Diane Spellman, President of Spellman & Brady Company of St. Louis. “For a first year show, it (INSPIREDESIGN) presented a good mix of resources that I intend to utilize. It was a quality proposition all the way,” she added.
Exhibitors and attendees also became acquainted with the show’s on-site restaurant, Gustav’s at INSPIREDESIGN. Gustav’s quickly became a frequent meeting place for breakfast, lunch and simply to visit with industry friends and enjoy a glass of wine. “The events in the evening were some of the nicest things I have ever experienced at a trade show,” said Larry Chudy of exhibiting company, Stacy Garcia.
The inaugural INSPIREDESIGN also was host to a new design awards competition, the “Design Excellence Awards” presented by Interior Design magazine. The magazine’s Editor-in-Chief, Cindy Allen, along with guest judges Yoshiko Sato/Michael Morris of Morris Sato Studio; D.B Kim; David Ashen of D-Ash Design; Alice O'Keefe of Gensler identified and presented awards to the following companies: Nano-tex -general product; Stacy Garcia--Fashionista Collection; Kravet--Echo Collection; Jane Hamley Wells -- Para sectional sofa; Phillips Collection--Silver Console; Aceray -- booth presentation excellence (no particular product); Global Views--3-light lamp; Dimension Millworks --Stealth Door; Leftbank Art -- general product Fermob--Luxembourg Collection; Korel Design Tiles --Circle Tiles (KGRR60); Korel Design Tiles --Stripes (6300-2); Stimex--Desk Uno by Karim Rashid; HCI Hospitality Design—Tub; Naturemaker -- Steel Art Trees; Kohler --Eco Faucet (Hybrid Energy System + Insight Sensor Technology); McGuire -- Walnut Swivel Chairs; AF Lighting: Candice Olson Collection; Home Source International-- Bamboo Sheets and finally Mayer Fabrics--Frolic (PVC-free).
“INSPIREDESIGN is one of the most exciting shows we have ever participated in. My hat’s off to the dramatic flair and presentation shown here. As an exhibitor, I’ve never been treated with kid gloves as I have here,” said Jeff Post, Vice President Enduratex. [Feb. 4, 2010]
INSPIREDESIGN returns to the World Market Center Las Vegas on January 24-26, 2011.
Click here to download a PDF Brochure.
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World Market Center Las Vegas is an integrated home and hospitality contract furnishings showroom and trade complex. The state-of-the-art campus showcases furniture, decorative accessories, gift, lighting, area rugs, home textiles and related segments, as well as the Las Vegas Design Center (LVDC), now open daily to consumers and designers. World Market Center currently hosts the biannual Las Vegas Market, the preeminent total home market. Additionally, making its debut in February 2010, INSPIREDESIGNTM at World Market Center represents a dynamic alternative for manufacturers and companies serving the hospitality design marketplace. In 2010, World Market Center will launch the inaugural Gift + Home show catering to the gift, decorative accessory and seasonal industriesalong with Vegas KidsTM which will provide youth furniture, juvenile products, toy and game, children’s books, children’s apparel and gift. Find us on Facebook and Twitter.
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