Second Annual Design and Construction Week Draws 125,000 to Las Vegas
January 25, 2015
More than 125,000 housing industry professionals came to Las Vegas for the second annual Design and Construction Week that ran Jan. 18-23.
The event brought together the inaugural members - National Association of Home Builders’ International Builders’ Show (IBS), the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS), the International Window Coverings Expo - and added The International Surface Event and the Las Vegas Market.
Registrants had access to all five events with one badge.
The move proved to be a success. Attendance at IBS was 55,257, up eight percent compared with last year. The show also added more than 50,000 square feet up to 478,000 and featured about 250 new exhibiting companies, with a total of 1,200.
Overall, Design & Construction Week boasted 3,750 exhibitors and 4.7 million net square feet of exhibit space.
“This is the best show we’ve had since 2008,” said Geoffrey Cassidy, NAHB senior vice president of Exhibitions & Meetings Group. “The construction industry is coming back. (The launch of DCW) was the right thing to do at the right time.”
Both IBS and KBIS expanded into the South Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center and plan to continue to grow next year.
In 2017-18, the three inaugural shows rotate to Orlando, which presents an interesting brand challenge for the Design and Construction Week event as a whole. Las Vegas Market and Surfaces are committed to Las Vegas.
“We will have to rebuild something similar there. If there are other shows that want to get under that tent, we’re interested in talking to them,” Cassidy said.
In the meantime, DCW was “mayhem” as design and construction professionals packed the halls in search of new ideas and products.
High Performance Constructions Zone at IBS was getting lots of attention as was the concept kitchen in the central lobby.
Smart technologies that used to be confined to the New American Home, a concept home built off site, have found their way into a variety of offerings on the showfloor.
From app-controlled security systems, entertainment and lighting to Google-powered Nest thermostats, elements of a connected home brought a new dimension to the shows once focused on hardware.
A 10x10 exhibit of LG Hausys Surfaces drew a crowd for a demo of its countertop TechTop that wirelessly charges cell phones. “It’s taking off like crazy,” said exhibitor Cathy Soutier. “We’ve already got three large commercial jobs with fast-food restaurant chains and hotels. Now we’re hoping that residential fabricators and designers of high-end furniture will pick up on the idea.”
Attendee Megan Robertson with a home builder MLR Properties came to scope out building materials and take classes on connected home.
She said she was glad that she could pick up new ideas from the additional shows and found the experience valuable. “It’s a lot to take in in three days but it’s great to have it all together,” Robertson added.
Partner Voices
MGM Resorts is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse culture, not just among employees and guests but also within its supply chain. The company prioritizes procuring goods and services from businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, people with disabilities, LGBTQ individuals and those facing economic disadvantages. This commitment is integral to MGM Resorts' global procurement strategy.
Through its voluntary supplier diversity program, MGM Resorts actively identifies and connects certified diverse-owned suppliers to opportunities within its supply chain. The company is on track to spend at least 15% of its biddable procurement with diverse-owned businesses by 2025, demonstrating that supplier diversity is not only a social responsibility but also a strategic business imperative.
Supplier diversity isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s good for business. A diverse supply chain allows access to a broader range of perspectives and experience, helping to drive innovation, entrepreneurship and resilience, while strengthening communities. At MGM Resorts, engaging diverse suppliers ensures best-in-class experiences for guests and clients. Supplier diversity ensures a more resilient supply chain while supporting economic development in the communities in which it operates.
The impact of MGM Resorts' supplier diversity initiatives is significant. In 2023, these efforts supported over 3,500 jobs across more than 30 states, contributed over $214 million in income for diverse-owned businesses and generated more than $62 million in tax revenue. The story extends beyond the numbers – it reflects the tangible benefits brought to small and diverse-owned businesses, fostering economic empowerment in their communities.
MGM Resorts also supports the development and business skills of diverse-owned businesses through investment, mentorship and education. Through the MGM Resorts Supplier Diversity Mentorship Program, the company identifies, mentors and develops diverse-owned businesses to fill its future pipeline, while providing businesses with tools and resources to empower and uplift. Since 2017, the program has successfully graduated 105 diverse-owned businesses and is on track to achieve its goal of 150 graduates by 2025.
MGM Resorts’ commitment to supplier diversity not only enhances its business operations but also plays a crucial role in uplifting communities and fostering economic development. This approach reinforces the idea that diversity is a powerful driver of innovation and resilience, benefiting both the company and the wider community.
Add new comment