Fair Trade Federation and Independent College Bookstore Association Highlight New Partnerships Forged Since Winter Market 
Las Vegas Market has announced that it has extended its affiliation with industry organizations to include two new partners – Fair Trade Federation (FTF) and the Independent College Bookstore Association (ICBA) – for Summer 2019 Las Vegas Market, which was to run July 28 – Aug. 1, 2019. Las Vegas Market offers a host of special programming, tours, educational opportunities, networking events and other membership activities for nearly 50 retail and trade organizations from across the globe.

Las Vegas Market is a leading home furnishings and gift market in the western U.S., presenting 4,300-plus furniture, home décor and gift resources in an unrivaled market destination. Las Vegas Market features thousands of furniture, home décor and gift lines, allowing for cross-category commerce among these industries.

“Las Vegas Market is proud to partner with the industry’s leading trade and retail organizations to offer programming and events that are important to their members,” said Karen Olson, senior vice president of marketing for International Market Centers. “As the leading home furnishings and gift market in the western U.S., Las Vegas Market is an ideal stage to connect professionals from associations, buying groups and non-profits with industry-leading suppliers who exhibit in Las Vegas.”

Two New Partners Coming to Summer Market
The Fair Trade Federation (FTF) is a membership organization of businesses who practice 360-degree fair trade. The trade association strengthens and promotes North American organizations fully committed to fair trade and as part of the global fair trade movement, builds equitable and sustainable trading partnerships and creates opportunities to alleviate poverty. While it represents retail stores, more than a dozen vendor members also are represented at Las Vegas Market. During Market, FTF will participate in two educational programs.

The Independent College Bookstore Association (ICBA) was started in 1927 to provide education, networking, and vendor programs that empower college stores to remain independent and be both financially and operationally successful. The organization provides industry-wide opportunities to complement a store’s local expertise and insight, with the goal of exceeding the expectations of customers and the institution. ICBA college store members represent $1.8 billion in sales in more than 230 member stores in the United States and Canada. During Market, ICBA was to participate in one Las Vegas Market educational program.

For Summer Market, Las Vegas Market was to again host the Non-Profit Retail Symposium in collaboration with three major non-profit industry associations – Association for Healthcare Volunteer Resource Professionals (AHVRP), Museum Store Association (MSA) and Zoo & Aquarium Buyers Group (ZAG). 

Additionally, The Association for Healthcare Volunteer Resources Professionals (AHVRP), Fair Trade Federation (FTF), Museum Store Association (MSA) and Zoo & Aquarium Buyers Group (ZAG) was to present Protect Independent Stores with Retail Leadership forum on July 28. The educational seminar was to be moderated by Chris Solt, executive director of FTF, with MSA panelist Colleen Higginbotham of Chrysler Museum of Art, ZAG panelists David Whitaker of North Carolina Zoo Society and Michael Davis of Zootique at Cameron Park Zoo.

Also, The Fair Trade Federation was to present Fair Trade – Setting a Legitimate Ethical Standard for Business during the show. And the Real Deals on Home Décor buying group again was to host its annual convention with Las Vegas Market. Real Deals, based in Twin Falls, Idaho, was launched a decade ago by five sisters who opened décor shops for fun, started franchising in 2006 and has grown to more than 75 stores in 16 states and four provinces. The company’s purchasing power means lower prices on its broad and rapidly-changing selection of home décor and boutique clothing and accessories. For Summer Market, Real Deals was expected to bring more than 150 attendees to Las Vegas Market.