Furnishings Show Set for April Edition

High Point Market continues its expansion this spring with a new addition to the IHFC.

Edited by Matthew Kalash -- Gifts & Decorative Accessories, 3/1/2001

The High Point spring market, featuring more than 8.8 million square feet of exhibition space in 186 buildings, will take place April 19-26. This semiannual market draws more than 70,000 attendees from all over the world, including representatives from more than 60 distribution channels such as home furnishings dealers, department and specialty stores, catalog companies, discount and mass merchandisers, and a wide array of gift and decorative accessories retailers. Products on display include home accessories, upholstery, casegoods, lighting, bedding, rugs, and giftware. Showplace, the International Home Furnishings Center (IHFC), and the buildings of Merchandise Mart Properties Inc. (MMPI) will offer special events and educational seminars to help attendees make the most of their market experience.

International Home Furnishings Center

In the summer of 1921, furniture manufacturers organized their own trade show for the first time in High Point's 250,000-square-foot furniture exhibition building. Eighty years later, that building, now known as the International Home Furnishings Center (IHFC), will make yet another expansion, adding exhibition space on the 12th floor. The new addition-which will be home to Basset Furniture, Kincaid Furniture Co., Chateau D'Ax USA, and Shermag-brings the total exhibition area of the complex to 3.5 million square feet. In all, more than 850 exhibitors, including 18 of the top 20 home furnishings companies, will be in attendance. IHFC will also have 450,000 square feet devoted to decorative accessories, wall decor, lighting, and rugs, and will feature a full program of entertainment and educational seminars for buyers and exhibitors.

Seminars and Events

Thursday, April 19

• IHFC 12th Floor Grand Opening Party. 5-8 p.m. 12th floor, Commerce, Hamilton, and Design Center Wings. Enjoy complimentary hors d'oeuvres and drinks.

Friday, April 20

• IHFC Accessory Floors Party. 4:30-6:30 p.m. Complimentary bars feature specialty drinks on floors 2, 3, and 4 of IHFC. Party repeats on April 21, 23, and 24 at the same time and location.

Saturday, April 21

• IHFC Buyer Party. 6-10 p.m. 11th floor Green Wing, International Ballroom. Enjoy complimentary buffet and cocktails, with entertainment featuring North Tower.

Sunday, April 22

• "Turning Image into Profits." 9-10:30 a.m. 11th floor, Green Wing, High Point Ballroom. Speaker: Pat Mayfield, Pat Mayfield Consulting. Complimentary coffee and doughnuts will be served.

• "Customer-Driven Selling and Sales Management." Noon-1:30 p.m. Speaker: Ted Shepherd, Shepherd Management Group. 11th floor, Green Wing, High Point Ballroom. Complimentary lunch will be served.

• IHFC Super Sunday. 4:30-8 p.m. IHFC floors 2,3, and 4. Complimentary bars at 21 locations, and hors d'oeuvres will be served in the showrooms.

Monday, April 23

• "You're Selling, Who's Buying?" 9-10:30 a.m. 11th floor, Green Wing, International Ballroom. Speaker: Jody Seivert, One By One Companies. Complimentary coffee and doughnuts will be served.

• "Real Life Decorating." Noon-1:30 p.m. 11th floor Green Wing, International Ballroom B. Speaker: Lyn Peterson, Motif Designs. Complimentary lunch will be served.

• IHFRA Market Social. 6-8 p.m. 11th floor Green Wing, International Ballroom. Complimentary drinks and buffet with entertainment provided by Rob Massengale.

Tuesday, April 24

• "Expect the Unexpected: New Ways to Do Business." 9-10:30 a.m. 11th floor, Green Wing, International Ballroom. Speaker: Marcene Marcoux, Ph.D. Complimentary coffee and doughnuts will be served.

• "Leading Edge Products and Fashion Trends." Noon-1:30 p.m. 11th floor Green Wing, International Ballroom. Speaker: Nancy Butler, Home Accents Today. Complimentary lunch will be served.

• IHFC Buyer Gala. 6-10 p.m. 11th floor Green Wing, International Ballroom. Complimentary drinks and buffet with entertainment provided by Papa Sol.

Show Info

Hours: 8 a.m.-7 p.m. daily

Address: 210 E. Commerce Ave., High Point, NC 27260

Call: (336) 888-3700

www.ihfc.com

Showplace

The Showplace facility, which opened in October 2000, will present its first spring show, April 19-25. Showplace features more than 450,000 square feet of exhibition space on five floors, with temporary exhibits on floors 1,2, and 5, and permanent show-rooms on floors 3 and 4. Products on display will include decorative accessories, casegoods, wall art, accent furniture, upholstery, gifts, lighting, carpet, and floral. New to the April market is a 25,000-square-foot collection of rugs on the third floor. A second area of expansion is Showplace Kids, a 45,000-square-foot section on the 4th floor featuring infant, juvenile, and transitional furniture and accessories. Showplace also offers five restaurants for buyers, and there will be a number of coffee bars throughout the building serving snacks during the market. Each evening from 5-8 p.m., prior to the close of the show, bars will be open in several locations throughout Showplace, and attendees can enjoy drinks on the balcony and listen to live music.

Show Info

Hours: 8 a.m.-7 p.m. daily

Address: 211 E. Commerce Ave., High Point, NC 27260

Call: (886) 336-4700.

www.showplace-highpoint.com

Market Square

Merchandise Mart Properties Inc. (MMPI) owns and operates five buildings in High Point-Market Square, the Suites at Market Square, Hamilton Market, Furniture Plaza, and National Furniture Mart-with a sixth currently under construction. MMPI will debut Market Square on Main in October 2001. More than 800 permanent showrooms and temporary exhibitors comprise the current five buildings. Market Square features fine furnishings, premium fabric, upholstery, and high-end decorative accessories. The Suites at Market Square offer 347,000 square feet of temporaries, showcasing casegoods, decorative accessories, and home accents. Hamilton Market will have high-quality, traditional furniture from America and Europe, as well as hundreds of gifts, accessories, and home and garden accents. Furniture Plaza and National Furniture Mart feature name brand, mid-price, and popularly priced furniture for every setting. All five MMPI buildings provide a food and beverage service to suit every taste, as well as special events aimed at providing a cordial atmosphere for attendees to meet and network.

Special Events

Market Square and Suites at Market Square Party. After the first day of the market, attendees are invited to enjoy food, furniture, and fun from 4-6 p.m., April 19, at Market Square. Cocktails and hors d'oeuvres will be served.

Home Accents Today/Market Square Courtyard Party. Enjoy the first evening of the market at the Market Square tent party featuring food, cocktails, and a chance to mingle with colleagues. April 19, 6-8 p.m.

Cocktails at Hamilton Market. Buyers are invited to have a drink, a few hors d'oeuvres and visit the showrooms. April 20, 4-7 p.m.

Show Info

Hours: 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily

Address: Market Square, 305 W. High St.; Hamilton Market, 101 N. Hamilton St.; Furniture Plaza 210 S. Main St.; National Furniture Mart, 200 S. Main St.

Call: (336) 821-1500

www.merchandisemart.com

Midwest of Cannon Falls (MN) will extend its home accent line of exclusive designs to the High Point market this spring. Ingrid Liss, creative director for Midwest of Cannon Falls, said in a statement, "[Midwest of Cannon Falls] can be a bridge for the home accessory buyer to cross into adding small home decorative accents with uniquely designed products. Midwest of Cannon Falls High Point line will highlight rustic lifestyles, floral/garden themes, and fashion accents." Midwest of Cannon Falls will be located in the Suites at Market Square, 1-832, 836.