There are a lot of fabulous things about Las Vegas and most of them are pretty obvious – being all lit up and such. Downtown, across the street from the County complex (red rock pyramid) is another complex that is fabulous without the neon. It’s called the World Market Center which tells you nothing about what’s inside. When it’s completed in 2012, World Market Center Las Vegas will have more than 12 million square feet of state-of-the-art exhibit space in 8 buildings on 57 acres. All segments of the home furnishings industry will be together on one giant campus, making it the largest, most comprehensive, most accessible showroom and convention complex in the industry.
Those who know of its existence still don’t necessarily understand what “The Market” is all about. Well, for one thing, “The Market” isn’t a building, it’s a happening. Las Vegas Market takes place twice a year in January and July and is open only to members of the retail furniture and design trades. There is no fee to attend but you will be required to provide a Resale/Tax ID Number or Interior Design Certificate Number to register.
So how does one get into this fabulous place if one is not an Interior Designer? Short answer – you don’t and frankly you probably don’t want to. Most of it is totally geared to buyers from furniture retailers. BUT, there is an area you can visit in the company of your own designer and that is the Las Vegas Design Center. Open Monday – Friday to members of the trade and their clients, Las Vegas Design Center is a state-of-the-art combination of creativity, innovation and selection in more than 400,000 sq. feet of permanent showroom space on two floors of buildings A & B
A couple of times a year, the local chapter of American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) hosts a Pre-Market Inventory Clearance Sale open to the public which serves as a fundraiser benefiting The Nevada Aids Project, Opportunity Village and Habitat for Humanity. There is a small entrance fee of $10 (cash only) which goes to the charities. The next one is Friday and Saturday, June 13 & 14, 9 AM – 5 PM. You can “shop like a pro” or just gawk at the amazing displays.
