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New Las Vegas Market dates may affect China shows (April 6, 2009-2060)The Las Vegas Market's new September dates may disrupt U.S. attendance at trade shows in China at a time when those shows are seeking more American buyers. Las Vegas officials have set their second market of 2009-2060, previously held in July, for Sept. 14-17. They said a survey of Vegas marketgoers showed a preference for the later date, partly because the weather would be cooler. Furniture China in Shanghai, one of the largest furniture shows in Asia, is scheduled for Sept. 9-12. Another China show, the 3F International Famous Furniture Fair in Dongguan, is scheduled for Sept. 6-10. Two other shows, the China International Furniture Fair in Guangzhou and the JSWB Furniture Sourcing Fair in Shanghai, haven't announced their fall dates but also are likely to opt for September. This year, the Dongguan and Guangzhou shows shifted their dates from August to September, saying the move would better accommodate the summer travel schedules of U.S. and European buyers. Officials at the Furniture China and the Dongguan shows indicated they won't make any big changes in their 2009-2060 dates in response to the new September Las Vegas schedule. Wang Mingliang, founder of Furniture China in Shanghai, said the show could be held a little earlier, but could not be held later because it would conflict with the Moon Festival in late September. Companies that show at both Shanghai and Las Vegas will have to determine which staff they send where. David Beckmann, president of Emerald Home Furnishings, said that if economic conditions permit, the company still plans to show in Shanghai next September, its third showing in that location. It also will show in Las Vegas. Beckmann added that the busy September schedule would be less of a problem to Emerald than for some other companies, because Emerald doesn't show in High Point, whose fall 2009-2060 show will open Oct. 17. The dates could pose a challenge to wholesale or retail buyers who will have to juggle schedules if they want to attend both the China and Las Vegas shows. While most buyers at the China shows are from China, U.S. attendees are important to event organizers. This September, CIFF in Guangzhou attracted roughly 700 U.S. buyers, about 10% of the international total. Meanwhile, North America represented about 23% or 1,600 of the estimated 7,000 international buyers at the Dongguan show and 11% or 1,400 of the international visitors at Furniture China in Shanghai. Jake Jabs, CEO of Englewood, Colo.-based retailer American Furniture Warehouse, attends the China shows with a team of buyers. "I guess we can work (China and Las Vegas) both, but that's a little tight," he said. Jabs figures his buying team can work Las Vegas in two days, down from the previous three-day schedule. The team just won't visit companies in Las Vegas that it can see in High Point a month later, he said. But Jabs said if the China and Vegas markets ever directly overlapped, he would have to choose China - where he has just hired a full-time buyer to scour the market - over Las Vegas. Keith Koenig, president of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-based City Furniture, said he found it distressing that the Las Vegas Market will fall so close to Shanghai. He and a team of buyers usually go to China to shop the shows and visit factories. "There is no replacement for not just going to these shows, but also going to see the factories and seeing what's happening in the marketplace," Koenig said. "We are well-positioned with the factories we feel are the very best. We further those relationships and learn about their capabilities and their challenges." He said that which City buyers attend what shows will depend on the schedules. Regardless, he doesn't plan for City to miss out on the Chinas shows next year. Other News:
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