People come from all over the world to take classes and view the show floor for all of the latest and most innovative products and services. Las Vegas has been home to the show with it being held at the South Point Hotel and Conference Center since 2006.
We offer over 250 specialty classes in hot, warm and cold glass. Our instructors come from all over bringing all their expertise in their respective fields. Our show floor offers everything including the latest types and colors of glass, the most innovative kilns, tools and specialty items.
Our "Bead Bazaar" offers a beautiful collection of handmade beads, jewelry and one of a kind specialty items created by some of the most prominent artists in the country.
THE GLASS CRAFT AND BEAD EXPO HISTORY
In 1994 Tommy Licata, founder and owner of Las Vegas Management and Creative Endeavors, was asked if he would be interested in organizing an educational conference and tradeshow for the Art Glass Industry. He and Nancy Montgomery consulted with industry leaders such as Kay Bain-Weiner, Norm Dobbins, Vicki Payne, Joe Porcelli and many others; the result was the Glass Craft Expo. It was held at the Tropicana Hotel in Las Vegas the spring of 1995.
1996 Glass Craft Expo moved to the Cashman Convention Center, where it was held for the next 10 years. The Expo was designed to help promote the art glass industry, by offering educational classes, a trade show and networking opportunities, all which were open to the public. The goal was to include all forms of art glass, including stained glass, fused glass, cold working, mosaics, and flameworking. Shirley Harvey became the Show Manager, a position she held for many years.
Lee Anne Short, who had worked on the Creative Endeavors side of the company, took over production of the show after conclusion of the 2003 Expo. On the 10th anniversary, the show was renamed to "Glass Craft & Bead Expo" to include the growing flameworking and bead industries, and later in 2004, Patty Cerajewski was recruited to the Show Manager position.
As the show continued to grow, filling every square foot of the Cashman Center, it was determined that we had outgrown that facility. In 2006 the South Coast Hotel and Conference Center was opened and the show moved to this great facility, with a great combination of meeting rooms, event space, trade show halls, and best of all, on site hotel rooms. South Coast became South Point in 2007, and is still the home of the show.
Tommy Licata passed away in 2008, and the International Hot Glass Invitational held during the 2009 show was dedicated to his memory. The Invitational was the largest flame-off that had ever been held, with teams of 4-5 well known national and international lampworkers competing over two nights creating some of the most incredible sculptures.
Lee Anne and the team continue to work hard every year to bring the best faculty of instructors and the latest in techniques to the average of 1000 students who attend the classes. The trade show floor is filled with the manufacturers and retailers of glass, equipment and tools needed for producing all forms of glass art. In addition there are many artists in booths or the bead bazaar that sell their finished artwork, sculptures, beads and jewelry.
The annual Gallery of Excellence juried art competition entries in both professional and amateur categories astound the attendees each year with the beauty and skill of the work. Local high schools have participated in the gallery for many years. Scholarships for local high school students and teachers have been made available through the Kay Bain-Weiner Foundation, show management and other contributors.
Las Vegas Management would like to thank all the members of the art glass industry, the teachers, exhibitors and students for supporting the Glass Craft & Bead Expo over the years. Many have been with us since the first show. The show has had steady growth, and is proud to promote art glass through education and by providing a quality showcase for product and glass artists alike.
Lee Anne Short, COO
Las Vegas Management
GCBE 2019 Highlights
GCBE 25th Anniversary Slide Show
