DESIGN CONNECTION

About six months ago I was contacted by the steering committee of the Las Vegas Design Center handling the plans for the first-ever pre-market inventory clearance sale. I was intrigued by the idea and immediately grasped the concept of a win-win event for all participants as the committee shared its ideas and asked for the sponsorship of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID).

It was explained that the event couldn’t be held without ASID since the Design Center was founded as a trade-only resource for designers and their clients and not open to the general public. This event would offer a rare opportunity for those without a designer (or those just curious to see what was happening behind the walls of the World Market Center) to explore the possibilities and purchase designer furniture, lighting and accessories at greatly discounted prices.

Little did I realize at that time how profoundly I would be affected by my participation in this extraordinary “sale of sales!” Yes, people would have the chance to purchase various items at great prices, which of course would not only benefit them but the showrooms as well; the showrooms would also be spared the hassle and expense of returning unsold floor samples to their respective factories in order to make room for new market arrivals. But the aspect of this event that registered so deeply with me was the $10 admission charge to be collected from each attendee and then donated entirely to three of Las Vegas’ most worthwhile charities!

I am proud to say that $67,570 was collected from that first great sale and divided equally between Aids Nevada, Opportunity Village and Las Vegas Habitat for Humanity with the Design Center showrooms selling well over $400,000 in merchandise. All of us working the event—volunteers from ASID and the charities—were of course thrilled by the results of our efforts and hoped that the sale would soon be repeated. So, fasten your seat belts and get ready to be a part of the next pre-market inventory clearance sale which is officially set for November 16-17!

And in case you may still be harboring any doubts as to just how tremendous a sale this can be, I would like to share with you a shopping experience that friends of mine won’t soon forget. I told them about the sale when they happened to mention one day that they were in need of new seating for their family room. I encouraged them to come down to the Design Center and look around and perhaps they could find something they liked at a discounted price.

Happily they took my advice and wound up purchasing a magnificent leather sectional sofa (complete with woven leather details and nail heads) for the unbelievable price of $3,800 including sales tax and delivery. Considering the piece would retail for around $15,000 this is really extraordinary price for such quality seating. I wish you all the same good fortune, and believe me, there are any number of bargains like this waiting to be claimed.

The following is the press release issued by the Las Vegas Design Center announcing this exciting event:

(Sept. 27, 2007) Pre-Market Inventory Clearance Sale Set for November 16-17 at Las Vegas Design Center

(LAS VEGAS) September 27, 2007 – For the second time ever, Las Vegas Design Center at World Market Center will open its doors to the public for a huge Pre-Market Inventory Clearance Sale organized by The California Central Nevada chapter of American Society of Interior Designers (ASID).

The November 16-17, 2007 sale will feature highly exclusive home furnishings products sold by dozens of showrooms at the Las Vegas Design Center, which is not usually open to the public. The most recent open-to-the-public sale event in June attracted nearly 7,000 shoppers in two days and raised $67,570 for local charities.

William Grenewald, general manager of Las Vegas Design Center, said Las Vegas Design Center has been deluged with phone calls since the June sale.

Grenewald said Las Vegas Design Center showrooms will once again offer deep discounts on designer home furnishings, accessories, lamps, area rugs, wall décor and more. American Society for Interior Designers members will be available to help members of the community with their purchases and selections.

November’s event will be open to the general public from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on November 16 and 17 at Las Vegas Design Center, 495 S. Grand Central Parkway. Event volunteers will collect a $10 admission fee at the door, with proceeds benefiting the Nevada Aids Project, Habitat for Humanity Las Vegas and Opportunity Village. Designer preview days for the design trade only are November 14 and 15.

“There is a lot of pent-up demand, and this is a twice-a-year opportunity for the general public to be inside our building and access the showrooms for the second time in our history,” Grenewald said, adding that the pre-holiday timing is ideal for such a sale. “Shoppers can purchase gifts or home furnishings and accessories for themselves to spruce up their homes for the holidays.”

Many showrooms on the first and second floors of buildings A and B will offer special deals during the November event, including upholstery showrooms, carpeting, area rugs, lighting, acrylic accessories, decorative accessories, lamps, wall art, paintings, frames, prints, mirrors and more.

Capital North American Van Lines will be available to arrange deliveries for a fee to shoppers buying large merchandise. All sales are final during the Pre-Market Inventory Clearance event and payments must be made by Visa, MasterCard or cash. Personal checks will not be accepted.

Grenewald added, “The pre-market inventory clearance opportunity is outstanding for everyone involved. The showrooms are able to sell their sample merchandise to make way for new product for the next market while many designers network and help the guests shop for their purchases. And best of all, we raise needed funds for some extremely deserving organizations that do a lot of good right here in our community.”

Las Vegas Design Center (LVDC), located 495 S. Grand Central Parkway, is adjacent to Las Vegas Premium Outlets. LVDC and World Market Center, while housed in the same complex, provide separate and distinct services. LVDC occupies the first two floors of the buildings and operates year-round as a venue for interior designers, design professionals and the hospitality design community. World Market Center is a trade only facility and is not open to the public.

For more information about the November event, or to arrange an appointment with a designer, visit www.lasvegasmarket.com or call (702) 599-3093.

Stephen Leon is President of Soleil Design Intl. Inc. and has been designing and manufacturing custom furniture and cabinetry for over 25 years. He is currently on the Board of Directors of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) serving as Communications Director for the Central California-Nevada Chapter. Stephen can be reached at soleildesign@cox.net or 702-873-5358.