TRADE SHOWS
Venue Changes and Growth at Las Vegas Fashion Week
By Kelli Freeman, Contributing Writer | March 6, 2026
The February edition of Las Vegas Fashion Week not only featured everything from denim trends to runway shows but also served up massages, martinis, bracelet giveaways, beauty treatments, networking and education. The expanded footprint had something for everyone at the Las Vegas Convention Center, The Expo at World Market Center and more..
Digital Tools Continue to Play an Important Role in the Hybrid Trade-Show Model
Through e-commerce platforms, digital fashion houses, video-conferencing options and artificial intelligence–powered event-networking tools, in 2020 the apparel industry relied heavily on digitalization of many of its practices—a shift that was long overdue. A harsh reality for many within the industry was that they should have been cultivating their digital approaches to business long before a pandemic brought business to a halt.
Trade-Show Q&A: As on-site event restrictions are being lifted, how are you approaching trade-show production, and will you utilize virtual options to extend your reach?
Following a tumultuous 2020, when most on-site events were suspended and the trade-show industry was defined by virtual offerings, Zoom meetings and health regulations to suppress the spread of COVID-19, the second half of 2021 is seeing a long-anticipated return to fashion-industry productions hosted on location. While many in the industry are looking forward to returning to the show floor in person, a number of opportunities for expanding show reach through virtual tools were discovered during this time.
The Materials Show Returns to On-site Events
American Events, Inc. announced that The Materials Show, its semiannual bi-coastal event, will return to an in-person model this August. The Northwest Materials Show will run Aug. 11–12 at Portland, Ore.’s Oregon Convention Center.
Kingpins Announces Kingpins24 Flash Australia With a Commitment to Eco Goals
Intent on expanding its reach to all regions of the globe, denim-industry event producer Kingpins announced its first Kingpins24 Flash Australia edition, which will be hosted June 23–24 to celebrate the Australian corner of the denim industry and its supply chain. Key touchpoints of the event will be how Australia’s position in the Asia-Pacific region ties in with influences from Asia.
Project Announces Fresh Focus to Its Debut at New July Event in Miami
Informa Markets Fashion’s contemporary men’s show Project will debut a fresh merchandising strategy, including the addition of women’s, during the new Project: Miami, which will be hosted at the city’s Fontainebleau Miami Beach July 10–12.
Liberty Fairs, LA Men’s Market Announce New Liberty Fairs: Los Angeles Event
A new on-site trade-show experience is on the calendar with Liberty Fairs: Los Angeles, which will take place Aug. 4–5 with Liberty Fairs and LA Men’s Market rolled into a single show. The fresh event will take the place of Liberty Fairs’ semiannual appearance in Las Vegas, with the Los Angeles show also planned for February 2022.
Cooper Design Space To Remain Committed to Fashion, Owners Unveil New Company Name
In a fast-changing downtown Los Angeles, the Cooper Design Space showroom building will maintain its focus on fashion, said the building’s management; however, the owners will be unveiling changes before May, such as a new name for the Cooper and its sibling buildings—The Hirsh Collective—as well as new websites, logos and social-media outreach.
Expo at World Market Center Las Vegas Opens in City’s Downtown
In time for the return of on-site trade shows in 2021, International Market Centers hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony on April 9 for its new Expo at World Market Center Las Vegas in the city’s downtown area. The $103.5 million project by IMC’s parent company, Blackstone, was completed over three years.
Matthew Mathiasen Promoted to CMC Senior Events Manager
Downtown Los Angeles’ California Market Center recently announced the promotion of Matthew Mathiasen to the role of senior events manager. A fashion and events veteran, the role is a natural fit for Mathiasen, who has spent much of his career devoted to this space, most recently as the CMC’s manager of buyer and community relations, a position that he fulfilled since joining Brookfield Properties, the site’s property manager, in 2018.
Informa Confirms August MAGIC Dates and Announces July Coterie Event in Miami
Following the success of its MAGIC Pop-Up Orlando, which was hosted in February, Informa Markets Fashion confirmed that it would return to Las Vegas Aug. 8–11 and will also host Destination: Miami by Coterie July 10–12 in Miami Beach, Fla.
New Las Vegas IMC Event to Launch in August
Expanding the reach of its Atlanta Apparel show, International Market Centers will launch Las Vegas Apparel Aug. 8–10 as many on-site trade-show brands prepare for a return to physical events this summer.
WWIN Announces August Return to On-site Las Vegas Show
Clarion Events, Inc.’s Womenswear In Nevada trade-show announced that it would host its Las Vegas event on-site Aug. 9–12 at Caesars Palace.
Kingpins24 Flash Creates Connections for a More-Sustainable Denim Supply Chain
The Kingpins denim-event brand returned with Kingpins24 Flash Feb. 23–24 with a roster of experts representing every facet of the category. Within a trade-event calendar that is rapidly advancing, the concept was representative of Kingpins producing a shorter show between seasons.
A More-Responsible Network Forms Through Sourcing at MAGIC Online
During its second run, Informa Markets Fashion’s Sourcing at MAGIC Online event producers sought to build on a solid foundation for its March 1–May 1 show, focused on bringing together global supply-chain experts and resources to meet the needs of apparel professionals at every level of the industry.
Pandemic Blues Decrease During Recent L.A. Market Week
With COVID-19 vaccinations being rolled out and pandemic restrictions being scaled back, L.A. Market Week took place in downtown Los Angeles March 7–10 with more optimism than has been seen over the past year. While still cautious, showroom buildings in the area’s fashion district, including the California Market Center, The New Mart and the Cooper Design Space, welcomed buyers to stock up on inventory.
