Leanna John Worrall is the Vice President of Leasing for the Atlanta and Las Vegas markets, overseeing gift and home leasing for both shows. She has more than 20 years of experience in the industry and has spent the last ten years managing permanent showroom leasing. In this conversation, Leanna shares what makes The Expo at World Market Center unique and what Reunion attendees and exhibitors can expect when they arrive at this beautiful venue in 2025.
What's new at The Expo at World Market Center, and what can guests expect to see when they walk through The Expo doors for The Reunion 2025?
For anyone who's not familiar, the World Market Center in Las Vegas is a premier showroom facility where gift and home industry professionals come to source gift, furniture, bedding, lighting, seasonal, and home decor products from more than 4,000 brands across more than 5.4 million square feet of showroom and temporary exhibit space.
Completed in 2020, we are the largest and newest event expo in Downtown Las Vegas. It's a beautiful new venue equipped with modern amenities and in close proximity to some of the finest resorts, dining, and entertainment in Las Vegas. But we're just far enough off the strip to make logistics easier, e.g., getting to/from the airport, coming/going from the expo, etc.
We've recently added many new brands to the building and launched a new floor in the Gift Building, where visitors can find new lifestyle and toy products across multiple rep agency showrooms. We also have several new tenants in our design center, which is open daily.
Speaking of mid-season events, The World Market Center recently launched a springtime event, which will happen in conjunction with The Reunion 2025. What's been the feedback from that springtime event since you launched? What value have you seen in the timing of that event? And what are buyers and exhibitors, or your showroom managers, saying about that event?
Previously, we only had the two major furniture and gift markets in January and July. Still, many of our retailers and attendees were asking for a mid-season buying opportunity, similar to what you all heard when you launched The Reunion. They wanted another option to source product and see what's trending in each category.
So, a few years ago, we launched a spring buying event for select showrooms to open, and the response has been very positive from both showrooms and attendees. Buyers appreciate the opportunity to see the product and write orders in an appointment-driven, relaxed, laid-back setting.
In 2025, we'll run our show in conjunction with The Reunion, so every attendee will have the chance to browse the Reunion show floor and see some of our permanent showrooms. Everything will be under one roof. I think buyers will be hard-pressed to find another mid-season expo that provides the opportunity to see such a wide array of products in various verticals.
What is it about a casual setting that lends itself to more orders being placed?
No one likes being told what to do, right?! Buyers like having the freedom to browse and network in a setting where they're not shoulder to shoulder, stuffed into a showroom or a booth, or constrained to a set schedule. When they can slow down and spend time with the product, engage with their reps, and ultimately focus on what their needs are in their stores, they place more orders with confidence.
At an expo, we know the top priority is placing orders, but not far behind that is nourishment: what are the food options, and how far away are they? No one likes to browse when they're hungry.
What can people expect from a food standpoint at The Expo at the World Market Center?
The Expo at World Center Market offers an array of choices, all very close by. Attendees will have immediate access to food, which is just steps from where they'll write their orders and do business on the expo floor.
We have two permanent grab-and-go food areas in each hall. We also have the option for food trucks just outside the expo hall, and we can choose from a variety of food trucks. We are also conveniently located just outside downtown Las Vegas; there are two sit-down restaurants (Cheesecake Factory and Vic's), only two-tenths of a mile from the Market.
As an added bonus, Las Vegas weather in April is typically gorgeous, so if someone wants to step outside for some fresh air, they can do so and then come back feeling recharged and ready to do more business.
What is the parking situation for folks driving to The World Market Center?
Two words: free. parking.
A self-parking garage with over 3,000 spaces is directly attached to our expo center (with ADA parking). The garage elevators take you directly to the expo center lobby, a quick walk to registration and the expo floor.
We also have an oversized vehicle lot just north of The Expo, which is helpful for logistics or any large ADA vehicles that need parking on site.
And for those staying at the host hotel without a car, what are the transportation options?
Rideshare options are readily available, with show codes for Uber and Lyft. Rideshare drivers can drop off right at the front door, which is also a short walk to the expo floor—no having to walk through an entire casino to get where you're going!
Being in downtown Las Vegas, we're less than a mile from The Circa (the Reunion host hotel) and the major attractions of The Strip, so people have plenty of options if they want to get out and explore. We always recommend a visit to Fremont Street, just a mile down the road from the expo.
What can exhibitors expect when they arrive for load-in?
We have an excellent loading dock with large roll-up doors that open onto the expo floor. There is plenty of space to park trailers and empties, making loading in and out quick and convenient.
Hand carry is also easy with our space and multiple lots. You don't have to walk through long hallways, casinos, or extended parking lots/garages. You can come directly into the hall, which is very convenient.
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Very exciting partnership!