TRADE SHOWS
Pooltradeshow’s New Move and Old Spirit
LAS VEGAS—A move did not change the independent spirit of Pooltradeshow when it ran Feb. 19–21 as one of the MAGIC Market Week’s family of shows.
The show’s new address was located at the South Shore Ballroom on the lower level of Mandalay Bay Convention Center, but Pool still served as a vibrant forum for new and independent brands, said Lara Matthews, the event’s show director.
The show also attracted new buyers. There was a 15 percent increase in pre-registered attendees compared with last year’s run of Pool, Matthews said. During the most recent show, buyers from online emporium Nasty Gal, prominent boutique chain Kitson, fast-fashion giant Forever 21 and Nordstrom visited the show. More than 240 brands exhibited at the most recent Pool, and 45 brands exhibited in the show’s cash-and carry-section.
Similar to the many trade shows, vendors had mixed feelings on Pool. For Peter Giles, managing director of London-based fast-fashion clothing line Motel, the show benefited from the connection to other MAGIC shows. “Today was quite busy,” Giles said of buyer traffic on Feb. 20. “The combination of ENKVEGAS and The Tents @ Project and us made more people go out of their way to check us out.”
Los Angeles designer Freddie Rojas has exhibited his self-named label Rojas at every Pool since the show debuted in 2002. He was not pleased with buyer traffic and the new organization. “They raised prices and moved us downstairs,” Rojas said. He claimed that he paid $500 more to exhibit for this run of Pool, bringing his bill for booth space to $4,000.
Pool vendor Blood Is the New Black curated an art show during the event. The show also featured the “Trend Tank,” a lounge where trend forecasters and fashion bloggers mapped the latest show trends, which included Punk Glam looks, Scottish Highlands styles and wearable art.
