West Week or Better Known as "West Two Days"

March 24th and 25th is the traditional Los Angeles Market for the Wholesale Furnishings Industry. Vendors for Accessories,lighting,fabric,furniture and various Objet d' Art launch their new Collections or any additions to existing lines in any given showroom and also is the time for "sprucing up" for any showroom. Major renovations,paint,installations are planned well in advance each year and in fact, planning for the next year begins immediately after the last one ends.
Rather then lament the changes from "how it was" to "what it is now" I would choose to look on the positive side of things.
Our Industry has been impacted on an unprecedented scale over the last 15 months due to the Economic downturn. On a positive note, depending on your perspective,you may take some comfort in knowing that it is not only in Los Angeles, or the U.S. that is being affected. This is truly a Global Situation. Traditionally,whenever there is a downturn in the economy our customers are not affected since we deal with the A+ market.This time,we are down about 40% across the board in all markets.Ouch!
Showrooms,vendors,designers,manufacturers and all local industries that support this industry are scrambling to simply exist. Owners and "management teams" are scratching their heads trying to figure out what to do and what went wrong. Personally, never mind what went wrong. At this point we need to go forward and make new choices. It is obvious to me the old constructs do not work and individually and collectively we are being forced to become this "Hybrid" in order to survive.New models need to be created with focus towards success. Our Industry survives but in a new form.
In the mean time, we go on...move forward...take each day at a time and keep doing what we do best...Create. It is important that Market takes place and peple attend
wherever it may be to keep a "Public Presence" that we still are here.Thriving. Creating.Succeeding.
It lets everyone know we are still here.
Collaboration and relationship are more critical than ever before.Seek out your "Old Friends" and find out how they are doing. Tell them how you are and discuss what may be done to help each other.
In this time of emptying design centers and closing showrooms there is a ray of hope-
We are the Ray of Hope-designers,manufacturers,architects,upholsterers,craftsman,tradesman,advertisers,painters,contracters,landscape designers,lighting specialists,clients....and the list continues.