People travel from around the world to attend the Glass Craft & Bead Expo, taking classes, exploring the show floor, and discovering the latest products, techniques, and innovations in glass art. Since 2006, the South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa has proudly served as the home of the show in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Each year, GCBE offers more than 250 specialty classes in hot glass, warm glass, cold working, jewelry making, metalsmithing, and other creative arts. Our instructors come from across the globe, bringing their expertise and passion to students of all skill levels. The Expo Hall features the latest glass products, innovative kilns, tools, equipment, and specialty supplies from leading manufacturers and retailers.
The Bead Bazaar showcases a beautiful collection of handmade beads, jewelry, and one-of-a-kind specialty items created by some of the most talented artists in the country.
The Glass Craft & Bead Expo History
In 1994, Tommy Licata, founder and owner of Las Vegas Management and Creative Endeavors, was approached about organizing an educational conference and trade show for the art glass industry. Working alongside Nancy Montgomery and consulting with industry leaders including Kay Bain-Weiner, Norm Dobbins, Vicki Payne, Joe Porcelli, and many others, the concept for the Glass Craft Expo was born. The inaugural event was held at the Tropicana Hotel in Las Vegas in the spring of 1995.
In 1996, the Glass Craft Expo moved to the Cashman Convention Center, where it remained for the next ten years. The Expo was created to promote the art glass industry through educational classes, a trade show, and networking opportunities, all open to the public. From the beginning, the goal was to embrace all forms of glass art, including stained glass, fused glass, cold working, mosaics, and flameworking. During this period, Shirley Harvey served as Show Manager, a role she held for many years.
Following the conclusion of the 2003 Expo, Lee Anne Short, who had previously worked on the Creative Endeavors side of the company, assumed responsibility for producing the show. As the event evolved, the growing popularity of flameworking and bead artistry led to a significant milestone. On the show's 10th anniversary, it was renamed the Glass Craft & Bead Expo to better reflect the expanding interests of its attendees and artists. In 2004, Patty Cerajewski joined the organization as Show Manager.
As attendance and exhibitor participation continued to grow, the show eventually outgrew the Cashman Convention Center. In 2006, the newly opened South Coast Hotel and Conference Center became the Expo's new home, offering an ideal combination of meeting rooms, event space, trade show halls, and on-site accommodations. When the property was renamed South Point in 2007, the Glass Craft & Bead Expo remained and continues to call it home today.
Tommy Licata passed away in 2008. In his honor, the International Hot Glass Invitational held during the 2009 Expo was dedicated to his memory. The Invitational became the largest flame-off ever held, featuring teams of four to five nationally and internationally recognized lampworkers competing over two nights while creating extraordinary sculptural works of art.
Today, Lee Anne and the GCBE team continue to build upon Tommy's vision by bringing together an exceptional faculty of instructors and the latest techniques for the approximately 1,000 students who attend classes each year. The Expo Hall continues to feature leading manufacturers, retailers, and suppliers offering the glass, equipment, tools, and materials needed to create every form of glass art. In addition, artists throughout the show floor and Bead Bazaar offer their finished artwork, sculptures, beads, jewelry, and other handcrafted creations for sale.
The annual Gallery of Excellence juried art competition continues to inspire attendees with extraordinary entries from both professional and amateur artists. For many years, local high schools have participated in the competition, and scholarships for students and teachers have been made possible through the Kay Bain-Weiner Foundation, show management, and other generous contributors.
Las Vegas Management would like to thank the artists, instructors, exhibitors, students, sponsors, and members of the glass art community who have supported the Glass Craft & Bead Expo throughout the years. Many have been with us since the very first show. Through their dedication and support, the Expo has continued to grow while fulfilling its mission of promoting glass art through education and providing a premier showcase for artists, educators, and industry suppliers alike.
Lee Anne Short, COO
Las Vegas Management
GCBE 2019 Highlights
GCBE 25th Anniversary Slide Show
