As we returned to Las Vegas for the second edition of COVER Connect Las Vegas at Surfaces this January, the city’s flashy lights and countless spaces set up to encourage hedonistic pursuits already seemed less bizarre than on our inaugural trip last year. But with more than double the number of exhibitors and a new premium position close to the Wools Pavilion next to the main show entrance, the COVER Connect Las Vegas Pavilion shone much brighter within The International Surface Event (which incorporates StoneExpo, TileExpo and Surfaces).
Traffic to the CCLV section was steady, and noticeably improved. Visiting buyers came mostly from the USA, but not exclusively from the West Coast—we met visitors from more than twenty states spread across the country. Anna Augusto, owner of Augusto Fine Rugs in Boise, Idaho, found it a convenient way to visit several of her vendors. She said: ‘The only reason I came to Surfaces was for the COVER Connect show. I really enjoyed seeing the new Afghan pieces from Samad Rugs—it’s great to see tribal colourful rugs.’
Despite the welcome sight of many familiar faces from COVER Connect New York, overall there seemed to be a slightly different shopping mentality. Some exhibitors reported having different conversations from usual, with known clients, about other product lines. For an enthusiastic segment of visitors who had dabbled in stocking carpet in the past, the main objective was solid flooring. They were excited to encounter a group of high-end exhibitors offering a wide range of attractive, attention-grabbing rugs en masse. Overall, though beguiled by the full range of rugs on show, this group tended towards focusing on the more entry-level offerings at lower prices.
Georgia Pahl from Wool & Silk reported: ‘Our team enjoyed the experience overall and think it has a lot of potential to be an annual West Coast show for us. It seemed attractive to buyers, as many of them are already going to Surfaces for other carpet and flooring. We would love to see all of us, as exhibitors, work together to grow this show for the high-end market.
‘Most visitors seemed to love our colourful and exuberant Zoobie Zu rug hanging in our booth. Our existing customers also liked our new 60-knot collection as it is something different from what we typically offer and is a new casual approach for us.’
Rug & Kilim’s Cyrus Nazmiyal said: ‘It was refreshing to experience a new show in Las Vegas. Some of the best buyers in handmade were there, as well as many flooring stores also looking to have exposure in handmade. Our Scandinavian collection continued to be a bright spot, due to the low cost to entry for these flooring stores and relatively low risk. They are getting something high-end and decorative that speaks to the trade. We have done a good job of keeping the line fresh and, since the line is so large in its eighth year, each client’s collection speaks about their tastes and represents their showroom aesthetics.’
Exhibitors that offered something very specific—such as DMI with its natural plant fibre rugs and Pampas Leather with its cowhide rugs—attracted a lot of attention. Kirkit Rugs’ pieces woven in Turkey from recycled hemp and goat hair also garnered much interest from the trade. Returning to Surfaces after a break of several years, Momeni received a very warm welcome back, attested to by the consistent stream of buyers to its booth.
Battilossi’s mood board concept looked spectacular as always, and Zollanvari delivered a colour boost with its fresh selection of gabbehs in luminously saturated shades. The American Society of Interior Designers’ (ASID) Inside Surfaces Tour spent time with Creative Touch and Amer Rugs, while Eliko Rug Gallery benefited from a position on a main walkway, drawing curious visitors in to discover the company’s samples and carefully curated collection of handwoven, one-of-a-kind rugs.
Visitors flocked to explore Harcourt Collection’s huge range of samples, perhaps being most comfortable with this style of booth layout familiar from elsewhere in the show. Hybrid sample/digital platforms were employed by Tamarian and French Accents to present their custom pieces.
Rachel Fasciani from Stark Studio Rugs reported seeing many return clients—no doubt aided by the proximity of the large booth of Stark’s sister company, Prestige Mills—and said the Stark Performance Acrylic (SPA) and Ashley Stark lines were the most popular at CCLV. Jaime Crespi was pleased to open four significant new accounts for Pampas Leather during the show.
If you are interested in exhibiting at COVER Connect Las Vegas at Surfaces, 28–30 January 2025, please email david.young@hali.com for details on how to apply.
