OFFPRICE Celebrates 40th Show Anniversary by Feting First-year Exhibitors

August 27, 2014

OFFPRICE, a trade show for retail buyers and off-price specialists, celebrated its 40th show and 20 years in business Aug.16-19 at the Sands Expo & Convention Center in Las Vegas.  Approximately 26 of the shows have been held at the Sands.

What started in 1995 in a few rooms stripped of furniture at the former Debbie Reynolds Hotel has grown into a thriving show and an integral part of the Fashion Week that takes over Las Vegas twice a year.

“That first year, we had 24 exhibitors and we still have 15 of them today,” said Todd Fabos, marketing manager at OFFPRICE.

Owned by U.K.-based Tarsus Group, the show had been holding steady over the past several years, with about 132,000 square feet, 500 exhibitor s and 8,000 retailers. Recently it’s been growing its Cash & Carry section, which is scheduled to expand into an adjoining ballroom next year.

The anniversary year has been marked with recognizing members of the OFFPRICE community through publications and social media.

“The months leading up to the event were filled with great stories and memories the OP community has shared over the years,” said Stephen Krogulski, CEO.

He added, “We are all looking forward to building upon our past successes and growing the importance of OFFPRICE as the premier destination for finding value at the right price.”

The show paid tribute to first-year exhibitors with special plaques and gave a red-carpet welcome to a buyer that had been attending since before it was an official event.

The Show Party featured a live band and a cocktail reception that went well into the night.

The floor was buzzing too.  Fueled by the prospects of strong fourth quarter and overall improving economy, purchasing activity was brisk even on the last day.

“Fall and winter are selling extremely well,” Fabos said. “Also, we’re seeing an increasing interest in designer name brands from smaller boutiques. Name brands are not the first thing people think about when they think about OFFPRICE, but many of our exhibitors carry them.”

Long-time exhibitor Terry Murphy with JB Hus Groups enjoyed the celebration and was happy with the attendance on the floor.

“We’ve met people from Canada and South America,” he said. When asked about how well swimming suites are selling for winter, he said that the season is just starting in South America, hence his orders from Panama and Trinidad and Tobago. Up north, it’s swimming classes.

Discount children’s apparel was on the agenda for buyer Lashanta Campbell Dugay with Kelly’s Home Centre. “I’m shopping for both fall and spring,” she said. “It’s a great time to find bargains.” Dugay noted that, while she did find what she was looking for, it would have been easier if children’s items were grouped together.

Add new comment

Partner Voices
Here at Mandalay Bay, venues are inviting and innovative. As one of the most iconic names on the Las Vegas Strip, the Mandalay Bay Convention Center has recently undergone an exciting upgrade. This renowned venue now offers everything your business needs, with a refreshed convention space designed to inspire productivity and creativity, as well as an impressive selection of world-class restaurants and amenities. If you're searching for a venue that is both inviting and innovative, Mandalay Bay is the place to be. Mandalay Bay is committed to investing in a new wave of enhancements, not only in the convention space but also throughout the entire resort. With new restaurant openings and remodels, spectacular entertainment, and updated rooms, Mandalay Bay promises to deliver new and exciting experiences to its guests until 2024. To create a truly effective conference venue, Mandalay Bay has carefully considered what businesses require. The right technology, capacity, and inspiration are essential to take ideas to the next level. The refreshed Mandalay Bay Convention Center has been designed with your business in mind. Every room is equipped with newly-upgraded technology, enhancing our ability to support bandwidth demand and overall data capabilities. Additionally, the addition of 10 new digital walls provides bigger and more dynamic ways to display customized content messages. Mandalay Bay offers world-class conference space and service. The venue options range from ballrooms to ample pre-function spaces, catering to teams of any size while accommodating multiple large groups simultaneously. Our certified planners work collaboratively with you to understand your specific event requirements, anticipating your business needs and offering the best-fit solutions. In addition to providing exceptional conference facilities, Mandalay Bay is also dedicated to sustainability. We strive to give our guests an unforgettable experience while minimizing our impact on the environment. As part of our sustainable energy efforts, you'll find refillable water stations throughout the property, eliminating the need for single-use plastic bottles and reducing unnecessary plastic usage. Mandalay Bay is proud to offer an upgraded and enhanced experience for businesses seeking a venue that combines innovation, convenience, and sustainability. Whether you're hosting a conference, meeting, or other business event, Mandalay Bay's refreshed convention space, world-class service, and commitment to sustainability make it the ideal choice. Come and discover the new wave of experiences awaiting you at Mandalay Bay on the Las Vegas Strip. Wherever your organization is going, getting there starts with being here.