United States Of America : Trade Show Targeting Close-Out Segment In LV

Planning its inaugural in August a new trade show is expected to focus on the popularity of a major clothing convention in Las Vegas.

The first-ever Close-Out Expo is planned Aug. 24-27 at the Las Vegas Hilton during the Men's Apparel Guild in California fashion convention at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

The show, to be produced by Close-Out Expo LLC, Delafield, Wis., will be a niche display of clearance items, close-outs and factory seconds.

Expo spokeswoman Trish McCudden said the show would not be competitive with MAGIC.

"We're telling our exhibitors to continue to show at MAGIC," McCudden said, "but most exhibitors feel that close-outs detract from the new fashions they're showing at MAGIC. We're working to carve out a niche in the close-out segment."

She said a Close-Out Expo also would be conducted in February during the spring MAGIC show.

MAGIC draws around 100,000 people to each of its two annual Las Vegas shows.