HIGH POINT, N.C. and LAS VEGAS (Nov. 29, 2011) - International Market Centers, L.P. (IMC), the world's largest operator of premium home furnishings, gift and home décor showroom and exhibition space, announced promotions of four key members of its High Point N.C.- and Las Vegas-based leasing teams. Julie Messner, Craig Staack, Lee Hershberg and Margaret Powers were promoted to Vice Presidents responsible for advancing new business opportunities for IMC's iconic portfolio of properties while offering more value to its showroom partners.

Julie Messner, a High Point native and formerly Vice President of Publication Sales for International Home Furnishings Center since 2008, will now serve as Vice President of Business Development handling home furnishings leasing for IMC's High Point properties. Prior to joining the IHFC, Messner spent three years as the Director of Leasing for MMPI High Point responsible for leasing temporary showrooms in the Suites at Market Square and the Plaza Suites buildings. Messner, a graduate of High Point University and active on many community boards, also brings with her more than 10 years of furnishings retail sales experience.

Craig Staack, a senior level furniture executive with a successful 30 year track record in retail, management, product development and marketing, has been named Vice President of Business Development handling home furnishings leasing for Las Vegas. Before joining World Market Center's Leasing team in 2009, Staack owned and operated three furniture stores in Las Vegas. Previously, Staack served on the Executive Committee of a Fortune 500 company and held the SVP/GMM post of three top retailers including Montgomery Ward, Heilig-Meyers and Homelife.

Messner and Staack report to Tom Mitchell, IMC President of Home Furnishings.

IMC has also announced the promotion of Lee Hershberg to the position of Vice President of Home Décor. Based in High Point, Hershberg most recently served as IHFC's Vice President of Accessory Leasing since 2008 where he was responsible for the 100 percent occupancy rate for 560,000 square feet of space. Previously, Hershberg spent more than seven years at Nielsen Business Media (formerly VNU Expositions) in Atlanta as a sales executive for the successful Kitchen/Bath Industry Show (K/BIS), and was ultimately promoted to Show Director.

In addition, Margaret Powers has been named Vice President of Tradeshow/Las Vegas and will oversee the sales and management of the Temporaries Division at Las Vegas Market. Powers is a 20-year veteran of the gift industry holding top merchandising and corporate retail positions with Hallmark Cards, Enesco and Hershey. Before joining World Market Center as Director of Business Development in 2008, she served as a Director of Leasing for Merchandise Mart Properties handling exhibitor sales for LA Mart, 7W New York and The Chicago Market.