Recognizing that the “maker movement” is fueling unprecedented growth in artisan-crafted gift and home décor products, Las Vegas Market has developed maker-focused educational offerings and special events for the Winter 2017 Market that will complement the handcrafted products that will be featured in both permanent and temporary exhibition space.

“The burgeoning Maker Movement is alive and well at Las Vegas Market,” said Dorothy Belshaw, president of gift and home décor, International Market Centers. “We will have a record number of artisans and makers at the Winter 2017 Market across both permanent showrooms and temporary exhibits. Our newly expanded handmade category at The Pavilions at Las Vegas Market is expected to be completely sold-out in January, and Discoveries, The Antique Vintage Marketplace, has doubled in size in just one year.

"In addition to resource growth, we are supporting the artisan category with a variety of exhibits, special events and dedicated educational programming, all designed to appeal to the unique and inventive maker community.”

Las Vegas Market is supporting the artisanal community with a varied selection of educational programming and special events, including a new partnership with CRAFT (Craft Retailers & Artists for Tomorrow), a nonprofit trade organization that champions the business of handmade American crafts. As part of this new alliance, CRAFT is developing a series of special programming for retailers and exhibitors during Winter Market, including a “Meet the Makers” segment and Las Vegas Market has become a major sponsor of American Craft Week, an annual celebration of made-in-the-USA crafts held annually each October.

Other special events focusing on the artisanal community at Winter Market include the sixth edition of the prestigious Global Goodness Awards, recognizing furniture, gift and home décor companies for environmentally friendly, sustainable and socially responsible business practices. Entries will be accepted through Jan. 13, 2017, and winners will be announced at the Winter Market.

Las Vegas Market also will honor West Elm LOCAL with the inaugural “Design Influencer of the Year” Award in connection with the 2017 Housewares Design Awards. The Design Influencer of the Year Award recognizes an individual or organization for exceptional design or design influence, and West Elm is being honored for its groundbreaking LOCAL program, which features 500-plus makers handcrafting more than 4,500 products that are offered in some 85 stores nationwide.

The Winter 2017 Las Vegas Market runs Jan. 22-26, 2017.

(Source: Furniture Today  Author: Cindy W. Hodnett)