MAGIC Begins Four-Day Run

LAS VEGAS – The MAGIC Marketplace opened at the Las Vegas Convention Center and assorted additional locations here on Tuesday.

The LVCC was supplemented by the Las Vegas Hilton (home of most of WWDMAGIC), the Sands Expo Convention Center (home of Project Las Vegas), a large temporary tent structure across from the LVCC on Paradise Road (home of Pool), and those are just the locations directly affiliated with MAGIC.

Laura McConnell, executive vice president of fashion for Advanstar Communications, MAGIC’s parent, told MRketplace.com that total retail pre-registration was up 10% from a year ago, 19% from two years ago and 32% from three years ago.

All the elements of the MAGIC Marketplace, including Project and Pool, occupy more than 1.1 million square feet of exhibit space and include nearly 5,000 exhibitors and 7,000 brands.

McConnell identified the biggest growth areas for the Marketplace as Project, more than double its numbers from last February; the Design Area of MAGIC, led by the White Concept; and the juniors area of WWDMAGIC.

She said there are over 100 new exhibitors in the Streetwear Category alone.

The current edition of MAGIC ends on Friday. The next is scheduled for Aug. 27 to 30.