What Las Vegas Learned From High Point

If you missed the debut of the Las Vegas World Market Center in July, I’ll give you the full rundown. Clearly, the WMC people did lots of research in High Point before starting their project.
What, WMC wondered, do futon people expect at their markets? Here is what the WMC development staff learned and how they put it into action:

We love drugs, drinking and sex clubs. Well, maybe not all of us, and those who do may not be bragging about it to everybody, but a casual glance at the High Point police blotter makes it clear… the futon market belongs in Las Vegas!
We love paying high prices for our meals. High food prices are a common conversation topic in High Point, and the WMC noticed! Unfortunately, they couldn’t raise food prices to unreasonable levels everywhere, but they did an admirable job where they could, in their own buildings. I paid fourteen bucks for a sandwich and a soda at the market, but I couldn’t afford a cookie. Somehow it felt very familiar and comfortable.

We love unpaved parking lots. In High Point we park our cars in rutted, unpaved lots filled with rubble and broken glass. WMC noticed this and proudly unveiled their new parking facility on opening day. It was just as dusty and rugged as any in High Point! Unfortunately, the parking lot was free this time, but don’t despair. The WMC promised to consider charging $20 in the future to make it feel more like High Point.

We love lots of hassle as we try moving from place to place. When it comes to creating a market full of hassles and headaches, it’s true that High Point had a big head start, but WMC is eager to catch up. Where’s the bus to the pavilion exhibits? Take a guess! Want to exit the WMC building through the outdoor café? Sorry, walk around! No badge? The registration desk is beyond the checkpoint! Want to see the non-WMC exhibitors four miles away at the Sands Expo Center? Start walking!

We love waiting for elevators. WMC paid very close attention to the High Point model here and exceeded everybody’s expectations. The average wait-time for elevators was two days. Do you use a wheelchair? You’d be well-advised to do your planning before leaving home. Choose in advance exactly which floor of the WMC you really want to see! If you’re waiting for the elevator, you may not have time to visit more than one floor.

We love using outdoor toilets. Actually, WMC got the jump on High Point here, with plenty of outdoor toilet facilities near their pavilion area. Despite the futon industry’s clear desire to pee outside, High Point has never really delivered on this dream.

We love uncomfortable weather. WMC wasn’t sure they could match the thunderstorms that usually strike during High Point market, so they pulled an ace out of their sleeves… extreme heat! If you stood near one of the many water-misting stations along the WMC sidewalk, you could pretend it was raining AND hot! As a special bonus, WMC did arrange an actual thunderstorm on Thursday afternoon.

We love lots of personal space, especially in hallways and showrooms. This is the one area where, unfortunately, WMC really failed to deliver. In High Point, buyers enjoy strolling through wide empty hallways, sales reps casually gather in the lobby without annoying crowds jostling into them, and exhibitors take time for leisurely lunches in their uncrowded showrooms. There was none of that in Las Vegas. These things take time, but eventually WMC will catch up. In the meantime, if you see me in the Las Vegas lobby, please don’t barge into me… I don’t want to spill my drink.

FL