Starting tomorrow and running through October 21st, approximately 85,000 people {mostly serious retail home furnishings buyers} will be attending The High Point Market in North Carolina. It’s the largest furnishings industry trade show in the world and it happens twice a year. They claim if you can’t find it in High Point…it probably doesn’t exist.
“With more exhibitors than any other event, Market Week presents a truly comprehensive product selection, covering every category, style and price,” says Market Authority President and CEO Brian Casey. “Plus, all of the latest trends in form, function, color and finish arrive in tens of thousands of new product debuts. But we also believe that retailers and designers want to understand the context from which these forms emerge, and they want real-world, nuts and bolts solutions to their business challenges. So, we also offer a full slate of seminars and presentations by our industry’s leading researchers and consultants.”
With over 188 buildings and 12 million square feet of show space to cover. The experience could get overwhelming really fast. Having a plan of attack is a must. Here are some great resources to help you plan your trip. Unfortunately, I cannot attend this year, but I’m taking notes!
If it is your first time attending the event, here’s a link to a video and list of valuable planning tips courtesy of The High Point Market Authority.
Recently, High Point Market Authority launched a social media and planning tool called MyMarket. It allows attendees to customize their Market Week experience by finding exhibitors, presenters and events and saving selections for future reference in an itinerary. MyMarket can be accessed online to set up view Market schedules and events, view contacts and exhibitors, send messages and set meetings. It is also mobile-browser compatible for smart phones and iPads. Go to http://www.highpointmarket.org/MyMarket
Also, I loved this article, How to Make the Most of Your Visit to High Point by Elizabeth Morten from Dovecote Decor as seen on Brooke’s Velvet & Linen blog. Liz lived near High Point for over 30 years and shares her insider tips. After securing lodging {biggest hurdle in Liz’s eyes – for a list of accommodations go here}, she recommends your first visit the InterHall in IHFC (International Home Furnishings Center).
“If you are not snagging "one of a kinds," your first stop is the IHFC.” says Liz. “Walk through the main entrance (Commerce) and walk down the hall to the right. InterHall is the must see, juried space at market… Interhall represents boutique vendors, with different styles with uniformity of scale--read, not super-sized. This is hybrid furniture, often made of sustainable materials, in Asia, with small production runs. You will wait months and months for most things from InterHall, but the look combined with price is worth the wait.”
The next High Point will be April 4-10, 2011.
Are you headed to High Point this year or next?
What vendors are a must see on your list?
