Venue Preview: The Expo at World Market Center Coming to Las Vegas Next Summer

June 6, 2019

A new state-of-the-art exhibition space is taking shape in Downtown Las Vegas. Earlier this year, International Market Centers, owners and operators of World Market Center Las Vegas, broke ground in January on The Expo, a $90 million, 315,000-sq.-ft. facility set to open in July 2020.

Upon completion, The Expo at World Market Center Las Vegas will become the new permanent venue for temporary gift and home décor exhibits at IMC’s semi-annual Las Vegas Market. That event showcases more than 4,000 gift, home décor and furniture resources across 5 million square feet of permanent showrooms and temporary exhibition space.

“We’re delighted to cooperate with the city of Las Vegas and the state of Nevada to bring this new exhibition venue to Las Vegas,” said Robert Maricich, CEO of IMC. “Our use of local labor at prevailing wage rates will make this project a win-win for the exhibition industry and the city of Las Vegas.”

IMC is known as the world’s largest owner and operator of showroom space for the furnishings, home décor, gift and apparel industries, with 20 million square feet of exhibition space in High Point, N.C.; Las Vegas and Atlanta.

The Expo will have nearly 195,000 square feet of expo space divisible into two halls and able to accommodate up to 1,000 booths. It will also feature an expansive lobby, a registration area, an on-site shuttle bus depot, an attached parking garage and two permanent grab-and-go food service areas, according to IMC officials.

With a contiguous positioning with WMC’s Building C, the center will be the home of the temporary exhibits during the Winter and Summer Las Vegas Markets, held in January and July, respectively. The Expo will also be available for year-round use for non-Market trade shows, as well as corporate and private events.

During the Markets, IMC plans to use the center’s lobby for attendee and exhibitor registration, making The Expo a veritable gateway to the entire marketplace.

Maricich said the new center will also fill a need for more trade show and event space in Downtown Las Vegas, which currently offers a total of approximately 200,000 square feet of conference and exhibition space.

According to IMC officials, construction of The Expo is well underway; underground utility work is in progress, and the structure is expected to go vertical in September.

Meanwhile, IMC is actively working on securing vendor partnerships for services at the center, set to celebrate its grand opening in time for the Summer 2020 Las Vegas Market.

 

Don’t miss any event-related news: Sign up for our weekly e-newsletter HERE and engage with us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram!

Add new comment

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.