LAS VEGAS -- In this exclusive showroom tour roundup, follow RugNews.com as we cover the people, events and all things rugs at the winter 2017 edition of Las Vegas Market. From showroom openings to anniversary celebrations and designer events held by rug exhibitors throughout the World Market Center campus, the market was upbeat and abuzz with activity.
The festivities began on Sunday with the debut of Feizy's new lobby showroom in Building C, where Cameron and John Feizy cut the ribbon to reveal a massive all-white space that provides a museum-like setting for dramatic rug displays (read full story).
The festivities continued throughout the day with elaborate playoff game football fun, food and giveaways at Oriental Weavers. The entire team at Nourison donned referee stripes for their football watching events of the day, which also included a star-studded designer talk on decorating with rugs.
We toasted Capel on its 100th year and Rizzy Home on its 45th anniversary. And we celebrated Couristan's new showroom at a ribbon-cutting event marking their return to Las Vegas after a five-year hiatus.
On the business side, rug companies were pleased with turnout. Not surprisingly, Cameron Feizy said this was the company's best Las Vegas Market ever. According to Vee Curfman of Kas Rugs, the show was a resounding success.
"This has been a phenomenal market for Kas," Curfman said. "It's nothing like last year or two years ago -- which were really good. This is phenomenal."
Monty Rathi of Kaleen agreed. "The difference I see is there is more foot traffic in Vegas than Atlanta. It has been busy for us. But we were also very busy the first two days in Atlanta -- we were swamped and we had good numbers in Atlanta. That's all that matters," he said.
In Part 1 of this two part series, we cover people and parties from Amer to Kas Rugs and to the market' Design Icon Award presentation to Timothy Corrigan. And don't miss Part 2 for companies Loloi through United Weavers, click here. Amer
Vernon Singleton of Amer Rugs poses with Samantha Sinowitz of Beds Direct Furniture Outlet, Henderson, North Carolina, in front of an abstract design from the Synergy collection. A market hit, the line features hand-spun New Zealand wool woven with traditional Tibetan hand-knotting techniques.
The Noyola family of the Dominican Republic admires Amer's new Vector collection, a best-seller at both Atlanta and Las Vegas markets. From left: Naife Noyola, Joe Barkley of Amer, Juan Noyola and Fadua Noyola of Acolchados La Maravilla.
Anji Mountain
Las Vegas Market presents the Global Goodness Award to Anji Mountain: from left, Jeff Gold, vice president, and David Moons, president, of Anji Mountain, with judges Susan Inglis of the Sustainable Furnishings Council, Carol MacNulty, Aid to Artisans, and Esther Ossei-Anto, marketing manager, IMC.
Read full story.
Capel
Executives from Capel Rugs and International Market Centers (IMC) celebrate the rug maker's 100th anniversary with a champagne toast at Las Vegas Market. From left: Capel's John Magee, IMC's Bob Maricich and Lee Hershberg, and Cameron Capel.
Cameron Capel of Capel Rugs and Bob Maricich of International Market Centers (IMC) cut the first slice of anniversary cake at the North Caroline-based rug company's Las Vegas market 100th birthday party.
Couristan
Ron Couri, president and CEO of Couristan, cuts the ribbon for the rug maker's new Las Vegas Market showroom as company execs look on. From left: Amy Chato Conlon, product development and design director for Couristan residential, Mark Ferullo, vice president for national accounts, Couri and Steve Codella, executive vice president of sales.
Dynamic Rugs
Anoosha Rouhanian of Dynamic Rugs, Nicholas Shaheen of The Shaheen Floor Gallery in Canton, Ohio, Matthew Rouhanian, Dynamic Rugs and Julia Shaheen of Shaheen Floor Gallery in Canton.
Feizy
Teri Whittaker of RC Willey in Salt Lake City, Utah, and Cameron Feizy of Feizy Rugs pose in front of a display of rugs in two new colorways added to Feizy's popular Dalia collection for the January 2017 Las Vegas Market.
Top execs from Feizy Rugs and International Market Centers smile for the cameras at a step-and-repeat at the entrance to Feizy's new front and center ground floor Las Vegas showroom in Building C.
HRI
Lee Harounian of HRI with Leyla and Keivan Hashemi of Palace Rug Gallery in Belleview, Washington. Behind them are the Avalon collection (left) and Evoke collection (right), both hand knotted in India with a dense pile of New Zealand wool and viscose.
Jaipur Living
New designs and colors added for 2017 build on the soft palette and transitional designs created by Jaipur Living's licensing partner, designer Nikki Chu, shown here (left) with Asha Chaudhary of Jaipur Living and Melanee Sloan of Plaid Fox in Vancouver, Canada.
Jaunty
Libby McCurry of McCurry Fine Furniture in Warrior, Alabama, takes a showroom tour of 2017 introductions with Kavi Navid of Jaunty at the winter Las Vegas Market.
Kaleen
Monty Rathi, COO of Kaleen Rugs, and Radhe Rathi, CEO for MRT Family Holdings, parent company of Kaleen, are standing in front of the popular Helena collection, hand tufted of premium virgin wool in updated, borderless, classic designs.
Kas Rugs
The Kas Rugs and Paul Pappas Designs teams take time out from a Las Vegas Market showroom visit for a photo op. From left: Molly Harris of Kas, Laura Lofiego, N. Paul Pappas and Jeffrey Helfrich of Paul Pappas Designs, Midland, Michigan, and Vee Curfman of Kas.
Las Vegas Market Design Icon Award
Bob Maricich, CEO of IMC, presents the 2017 Design Icon Award to Timothy Corrigan, following the designer's presentation on Jan. 24, at the winter Las Vegas Market. Corrigan shared his experiences working with high-profile clients, and his strategies for branding and social media.