Howards Furniture and Decorating Center

One Good Guide will highlight sustainable products

Heath E. Combs — Furniture Today

LAS VEGAS — The Las Vegas Market will continue emphasizing sustainability with new green initiatives at the next show, which runs Feb. 1-5 at the World Market Center.

The market’s One Good World program will expand to include a supplier locator called One Good Guide, to help buyers find legitimate sustainable products at the event. These exhibitors will be listed in a special section of the market directory.

Companies interested in being listed will be vetted by the Sustainable Furnishings Council. Applications will require declarations about materials usage, transportation, wood sourcing, VOC emissions and foams used in upholstery cushioning. Exhibitors must also show and offer sustainable products at market and not merely have them as available options, the WMC said.

In addition to the listing, participants will receive window decals and showroom signage to call attention to their status, along with additional online marketing and public relations support.

WMC officials also said they plan to announce a “sustainability leadership congress” in early 2010 with representatives from government, environmental groups, manufacturers, retailers, interior designers and consumer media focused on wood sourcing.

“The green economy is not coming fast – it is already here,” said WMC President and CEO Bob Maricich. “Being ‘green’ is more than a principle and more than a trend; it is a sound business practice. Taking proactive actions to respect our environment is now a business reality and increasingly critical to our industry.”

At the February market, WMC also will offer seminars on eco-issues, including an interior design symposium with participants including HGTV’s Angelo Surmelis and brand icon Kathy Ireland.

The market also is hosting the SFC’s GREENleaders Certified Sustainability Training, a six-hour exam course for accreditation. The WMC also offered the course in February 2009.

For more information about participating in One Good Guide, exhibitors should contact the Sustainable Furnishings Council at (919) 967-1137 or e-mail susan@sustainablefurnishings.org.