No, nothing special happens in Las Vegas just because it’s Leap Year. Maybe some extra money is bet on “29″ at the roulette tables but that’s about it.
300,000 football fans are expected to watch Super Bowl XLII in Las Vegas this year. I honestly don’t see the draw: sure it’s fun to watch the game with a couple hundred rabid fans but all the sports books are crazy crowded and it’s tough to make a bet or find a place to sit.
The casinos are expected to take in a record $100M in wagers this year. Sounds like a lot until you consider that many estimate total Super Bowl gambling will top $10B (most of it illegal and unregulated like office pools). On top of that, with the Giants winning outright (the spread was Pats -12) it looks like the sports books had a tough weekend.
But don’t feel too sorry for them. The brilliant Vegas business model comes through again: tonight I saw hordes of jersey-clad Giants fans giving back their Super Bowl winnings and more at the card tables. Viva Las Vegas!
Electronics manufacturers and tech geeks descend on Las Vegas next week for the Consumer Electronics Show (CES). Las Vegas has been the home for this big event for years with over 140,000 attendees expected. Coincidentally, the Adult Video News (AVN) convention is also taking place this week. Imagine the possibilities.
I for one am looking forward to connecting with friends who will be in town for CES. Please give me a buzz if you are around!
Every year party-goers flock to Las Vegas to ring in the new year. They brave the cold and wind on the Strip to catch fireworks at midnight or cram into one of the many bars and clubs offering champagne toasts and balloon drops. Admission to these parties start at $150 and go as high as $250 for some of the more popular clubs. Jay-Z’s grand opening for the 40/40 club will cost you $800 per person! Big pimpin’ indeed.
We locals prefer to stay away from the madness and celebrate with friends and family at home. A City Life poll found that 60% of area residents planned to stay at home.
I saw a hilarious story on KLAS tonight. There are two major events taking place in Las Vegas this weekend: the National Finals Rodeo NFR and big boxing match between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Ricky Hatton who hails from Great Britain. A British fan in town for the fight was being interviewed down on the strip and he said he had no idea that the rodeo was in town. He just assumed that everyone in Las Vegas wears cowboy hats. LOL!
Today I’m visiting the satellite exhibition center at the Sands Expo center (right behind the Venetian). This location houses the interior design exhibits including art, lighting and textiles. This is also the home of the Living Green Pavilion which was the real reason I came here.
I have to say that I was disappointed with the presentation. It is of course a noble cause and I was happy to see a section devoted to sustainable home furnishings. However, the collection was widely publicized leading up to the show and did not live up to the hype. There were perhaps a dozen manufacturers of eco-friendly furniture and home decor but these mostly consisted of uniform looking bamboo panels and processed wood construction. There were other sellers of furniture made from recycled products and re-finished wood but these were scattered through the market and not part of this display. I found met one alternative lighting retailer but the only items on display were a few fluorescent bulbs and one LED fixture.
In the end, the most notable display was from Channel Logic. They had several attractive bedroom furniture sets that appeal to consumers who are conscious of design and the environment.
Visit Channel Logic’s blog to learn more about their efforts to promote sustainable home furnishings. Unfortunately, you cannot buy directly from them since they only sell to retailers and dealers.
Here are some photos I took on location at the Las Vegas Summer Market today.
Main entrance to Building B of the Las Vegas Summer Market. There are two main buildings housing over 1.3 million
A typical scene inside the exhibit halls. Furniture designers and manufacturers have their products on display in booths that ring these hallways.
There are three large pavilions in addition to the two main exhibition halls. Each pavilion is larger than a football field and houses additional booths and exhibition areas.
Here’s what a pavilion looks like inside.
I’m on-site covering the biggest home furnishings and design exposition going on this week at the World Market Center. The Summer Market brings together top designers and manufacturers who will be exhibiting their wares to furniture buyers and designers from across the county. There is a large international contingent with many exhibitors traveling here from overseas.
I’ve managed to walk through most of the displays in the first of the two main buildings this morning. There is quite a lot to see! Some of the more interesting collections included a vendor specializing in handmade bars (think ultimate bachelor pad), a 100% silk floral designer and an iron and bronze sculptor who does life-size solider replications. Of course, there are literally hundreds and hundreds of vendors selling the latest furniture and accessories as well.
Tomorrow I plan to visit the Living Green Pavilion, a showcase of eco-friendly home furnishings and sustainable living options.
An amazing furniture and design exposition will be held at the World Market Center and Sands Expo Center next week from July 30th to August 3rd. This event will bring together over 1,300 exhibitors showcasing the latest in design and home furniture. The event will also introduce a special presentation on sustainable living. I have applied for a media pass and will be covering the Las Vegas Summer Market on-site.
About the Las Vegas Market
Las Vegas Market is the first truly U.S. based global market for the industry bringing together international and domestic buyers and sellers as well as world renowned trade shows. World Market Center is the first permanent trade show complex in Las Vegas with plans to eventually expand to 12 million square feet by 2013.