High Point Gears Up for Fall
MMPI's Plaza Suites is the newest addition to the city's huge selection of venues.
Edited by Matthew Kalash -- Gifts & Decorative Accessories, 9/1/2001
High Point, North Carolina, gears up for its fall market, October 18–25, featuring a wide variety of furniture and decorative accessories in more than 9.5 million square feet of exhibition space throughout the city. Highlights include the International Home Furnishings Center, the Merchandise Mart Properties Inc. buildings, and Showplace.
International Home Furnishings CenterThe International Home Furnishings Center (IHFC) complex hosts more than 850 of the leading home furnishings manufacturers. It also features 450,000 square feet devoted exclusively to decorative accessories, lighting, wall decor, and rugs.
During market, IHFC will offer a wide range of special events and educational seminars, including the IHFC's Special Buyer Promotion Events, which offer a unique program for designers and small dealers.
SPECIAL EVENTS
The Accessory Floor Party, October 19–23. 4:30–6:30 p.m. Floors 2,3, and 4.
The IHFC Buyer Party, October 20, 6–10 p.m. International Ballroom. Complimentary buffet and bar, and entertainment.
The Super Sunday Event, October 22, 4:30–8 p.m. Floors 2,3, and 4. Weekend buying along with complimentary cocktails.
The IHFC Buyer Gala, October 23, 6–10 p.m. International Ballroom. Complimentary drinks, buffet dinner. Entertainment by The Voltage Brothers.
SEMINARS
For a complete list of IHFC Seminars, visit www.ihfc.com.
Thursday, October 18
- WithIt Seminar: Trends That Matter. 7:30 a.m. International Ballroom A. Speaker: Michelle Lamb. Continental breakfast. Reservations required.
Saturday, October 20
- "A Room With a Viewpoint." Noon. International Ballroom B. Speaker: Cheryl Katz. $15 for seminar and IHFC/ IFDA Designer Luncheon.
Sunday, October 21
- "Colors and Trends." 8:30–9:30 a.m. 12th floor, Retailer Resource Center. Speakers: Sally Morse, Hunter Douglas.
- IHFC Special Buyer Promotion: "Out-of-the-Box Business Strategies for Highly Leveraged Growth." 9 a.m. High Point Room. Speaker: Jim Fleming.
- IHFC Special Buyer Promotion: "How to Effectively Set Goals for Yourself and Others." Noon. High Point Room. Speaker: Samantha Kurtz.
Monday, October 22
- IHFC Special Buyer Promotion: "Catalysts of Tomorrow's Style." 9 a.m. International Ballroom B. Speakers: Leslie Harrington and Dina Puglisi.
- "Build Your Own Showroom Brand Name." 10:30–11:30 a.m. 12th floor, Retailer Resource Center. Speaker: Stan Bossler.
- IHFC Special Buyer Promotion: "Tomorrow's Presentations for Today's Clients." Noon. International Ballroom B. Speaker: Margi Kyle.
Tuesday, October 23
- IHFC Special Buyer Promotion: "Profit from Custom Picture Frame and Design Specifying." 9 a.m. International Ballroom B. Speaker: Leslie Sieswerda.
- IHFC Special Buyer Promotion: "Fashion Sketchbook: Trends in Home Accents." Noon. International Ballroom B. Speakers: Becky Smith, Ginny Gaylor.
SHOW INFO
Hours: 8 a.m.–7 p.m.
Address: 210 E. Commerce Ave., High Point, NC 27260
Call: (336) 888-3700
Merchandise Mart PropertiesMerchandise Mart Properties Inc. (MMPI) offers a diverse selection of resources at a number of buildings, including Market Square, Suites at Market Square, Hamilton Market, Furniture Plaza, and National Furniture Mart. This market, MMPI will celebrate the opening of High Point's newest facility: Plaza Suites. Located near the Furniture Plaza, the 460,000-square-foot, five-story temporary exhibit facility will feature products for the home furnishings market, including design-oriented decorative accessories. There will be a Grand Opening Parade through downtown High Point, October 18, at 10 a.m.
MMPI will unveil a newly built Skywalk between Furniture Plaza and the Suites at Market Square. The Skywalk presents a museum-like display of furniture styles, periods, and designers, spanning four centuries from the 1600s to the 1900s.
MMPI will also present a full lineup of musical groups performing each evening in the Market Square Courtyard. The Bluegrass Tradition Band will headline the shows beginning at 4 p.m., October 18–21, and there will be karaoke on October 22, beginning at 4 p.m.
SPECIAL EVENTS
Plaza Suites Grand Opening Brunch. Thursday, October 18, 10 a.m.–noon. Buffet brunch.
Market Square and Suites at Market Square Party. October 18, 4-6 p.m.
Home Accents Today/Market Square Courtyard Party. October 18, 6-8 p.m. Kick off the market with food, cocktails, and a chance to mingle with your colleagues.
Market Square Ground Daiquiri Party. October 18–21, 4–6 p.m.
Cocktails at Hamilton Market. Friday, October 19, 4-7 p.m.
SHOW INFO
Hours: 8:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
Address: Market Square, 305 W. High St.; Hamilton Market, 101 N. Hamilton St.; Furniture Plaza, 210 S. Main St.; National Furniture Mart, 200 Main St.; 222 S. Main St.
Call: (312) 527-7074
ShowplaceThe 450,000-square foot Showplace facility celebrates its first anniversary at the 2001 High Point Market, featuring temporary exhibits on floors 1,2, and 5; and permanent showrooms on floors 3 and 4. Showplace Kids, a special section for children's furniture and accessories returns to the 4th floor. Categories at the fall market include decorative accessories, home accents, textiles and fine linen, and Lodge Country Designs. At the end of the day, the 5th floor Shrimp and Oyster Bar features live jazz and a great view of the sunset. Other highlights include a juried exhibitor Best of Show award, and a drawing for a free trip for one lucky buyer.
SHOW INFO
Hours: 8 a.m.–7 p.m.
Address: 211 E. Commerce Ave., High Point, NC 27260
Call: (336) 886-4700
