LAS VEGAS (30 June 2011) - With only a few weeks remaining until the opening day, Las Vegas Market officials are saying their optimistic that the 2011 summer market will be strong as both hotel bookings and pre-registrations are higher than those experienced at other recent markets.

The organizers said they've already sold 80% of its hotel inventory to market attendees and the pick-up rate is outpacing the same period last year by 36%.

They are also claiming that pre-registration is tracking ahead of recent markets, with 14% more buyers pre-registered than for the winter 2010 market and they believe "significantly more" retailers and designers are planning to attend compared to last summer.

"This is certainly encouraging news for our industry and our customers. It has been a very challenging summer at retail and we are excited that buyers are apparently searching for new products and ideas at Las Vegas Market," Robert Maricich, chief executive officer of International Market Centers, parent company of  the World Market Center, said in a statement.

"It is extraordinary that so far registrations are well ahead of last year, especially at the magnitude above last summer's market. We have worked hard with our programming and buyer outreach to create a compelling reason to attend Las Vegas Market and these positive numbers are proving successful," he added.

Registration for summer 2011 edition of the Las Vegas Market is now open and discounted hotel rooms are still available online at www.lasvegasmarket.com.