Briefs

Former President Bill Clinton will be the keynote speaker for the summer Las Vegas Market at World Market Center Las Vegas.

His speech, “A Conversation With Bill Clinton,” will focus on the challenge of globalization, emphasize our growing interdependence and point the way toward a common future based on shared goals and values. After his keynote address, President Clinton will participate in a moderated question-and-answer session.

All people registered to attend the market in downtown Las Vegas, scheduled Aug. 1-5, will have the opportunity to attend the keynote, sponsored by World Market Center and the iComfort Sleep System by Serta.

Complimentary and exclusively for registered attendees of Las Vegas Market, the private event will take place during the market’s opening night, Monday, Aug. 1, at 6:45 p.m. on the World Market Center campus. The evening’s festivities will include a special reception for all attendees.

“Globalization has changed the furnishings industry more significantly than anything else in our time,” said Robert Maricich, World Market Center Las Vegas president and chief executive officer. “It indisputably has created new challenges as well as opportunities for our industry. Thanks to Serta, the event’s co-sponsor, we can provide our attendees with this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to hear directly from President Clinton, a world leader and one of the foremost experts on globalization and the economy. Home-furnishings professionals at Las Vegas Market will benefit from President Clinton’s insights and solutions on the most pressing economic and social issues in the U.S. and abroad.”

Online registration for the summer market opens next month and will offer attendees the opportunity to reserve their spot at the keynote event.

For more information, visit www.lasvegasmarket.com.

‘Flipping Out’ star to discuss his work at design center

Jeff Lewis, star of Bravo’s series “Flipping Out,” will discuss his work and life at the Las Vegas Design Center April 16. He will speak from 11 a.m. to noon in the atrium of Building A at the Las Vegas Design Center, 495 S. Grand Central Parkway.

In the past 11 years, the well-known flipper-turned-designer has purchased, renovated and designed more than 100 properties in some of Los Angeles’ most enviable neighborhoods.

Most recently, Lewis was tapped by House Beautiful magazine to design the third annual Kitchen of the Year in Rockefeller Center.

In a Charlie Rose-type conversation, Lewis will discuss his current work in interior design, his past and current real estate development ventures and the behind-the-scenes machinations of his dysfunctional “household,” housekeeper and pets included. Never one to hold back, Lewis is expected to respond to questions with the candor, passion and fearlessness that are the hallmarks of both his personality and design philosophy.

The event is free and open to the public. Audience questions and participation are highly encouraged.

Reservations are requested and can be made by emailing rsvp@lvdesigncenter.com.

Paragon Pools presented with Aqua Choice Award

Las Vegas-based Paragon Pools was presented with a 2011 Aqua Choice Award by Aqua magazine, a business publication for pool and spa professionals.

One of only 11 winning entries, the project Fire in the Desert also was featured on the cover of the March edition.

“The judges were unanimous on their selection and felt that the Paragon Pools’ project Fire in the Desert was perhaps the finest work in the contest,” said Scott Webb, executive editor of the magazine. “It was selected as the cover of the March issue because of its stunning use of fire, water and great design in a waterscape.”

The multilevel pool features PebbleTec interior, travertine decking, custom copper runnels, glass tile, granite countertops and bar stool tops, Zodiac-Jandy equipment and a Paramount PV3 cleaning system.

This is the second year in a row that Paragon Pools has claimed an Aqua Choice Award. In addition, the Las Vegas pool builder has received numerous other accolades from Aqua magazine, including being named to the Aqua 100 Hall of Fame, after receiving the Aqua 100 award five years consecutively. Paragon Pools is the only independent builder in the state of Nevada to attain the Aqua 100 status.

An in-ground, custom residential and commercial swimming pool construction company, Paragon Pools was founded in 2001 by Joseph M. Vassallo.

Project credits include design collaboration between Paragon Pools and Tannie Luke of Tannie’s Design Works, incorporation of Structure Studios-Pool Studio 3-D software to assist with visualization, custom fire elements by Fire by Design, and architectural photography by publicist Mary Vail, all of Las Vegas.