LOOKING TO DRIVE MORE BUSINESS? LOOK TO THE DESIGN TRADE AND THE HIGH POINT DESIGN CENTER
by Jeanne Glenn
Executive Director of the High Point Design Center, and Owner of Showroom Sources

Whenever the subject of selling to the design trade comes up, I often tell High Point Market exhibitors the story of utilizing my own resources to aid a designer searching for a particular table. And whenever I talk about serving the design trade, I often begin with the statement: "There is business there."

Working in High Point over the years, I found that, generally speaking, most factories were not set up to deal with hundreds of thousands of designers directly, so I had to create a way to serve their needs. Over time, I found there are several methods that work well for all parties involved, but the best practice of all for those interested in selling to interior designers is to have an individual on hand in your showroom to answer questions, help select product, write orders, and provide any follow up necessary.

Click here for the rest of the column.

Heads up! The deadline for securing discounted hotel room rates for Fall Market is August 31st. While the special sub-block rooms are almost sold out, there are still some deals to be had, but you must act fast to take advantage of the special offers by making your plans now to join us for Fall Market, October 1 through 7, 2007.

Snagging these last-minute deals is easy. Just visit the highpointmarket.org website and click on "Travel Arrangements," then "Reserve a Hotel Room." Enter your exact arrival and departure dates, and click "search." All hotels that are available, for those dates, will appear. Then, just follow the prompts.

Click here to see these special last-minute bargains!

High Point Market Coming Attractions: Magnussen Home and Wynwood Preview Fall

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THE COMMODORES TO HEADLINE "STARS UNDER THE STARS" CONCERT SERIES

Legendary Motown band The Commodores-known for ballads such as "Easy" and "Three Times a Lady" and, of course, the funky dance hit "Brick House" - are set to kick off the Fall 2007 "Stars Under the Stars" series. The Grammy-award winning band"s top singles-including "Slippery When Wet," "Just to Be Close to You," "Too Hot Ta Trot," "Still," "Sail On," "Lady (You Bring Me Up)," "Oh No," and "Nightshift" - have been dance floor and pop favorites for decades.

The series, which opens Monday night, October 1, will also feature Three Dog Night, popular regional bands, and plenty of free food and drink. Sponsored by the High Point Market Authority, all "Stars Under The Stars" concerts begin at 7:30 under the Showplace Tent. Doors will open for each Stars event at 7:00 p.m. **Please note: All Market attendees wishing to enter must present a current Market badge and a valid picture ID and no one under the age of 15 will be admitted.**

Click here to see the full Stars Under the Stars schedule.

UNWIND WITH "PARTIES IN THE COURTYARD" AFTER HOURS DURING FALL MARKET 2007

After a full day of working Market, make a note to stop by the "Parties in the Courtyard" events in Century Courtyard, Market Square to unwind with friends and colleagues. Each evening you'll be treated to entertainment and complimentary food and drinks from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The nightly events, sponsored by The High Point Market Authority and Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc. (MMPI), are a convenient way to wrap up a busy day, make new connections, or grab a bite to eat before heading out to a Market event later in the evening.

Click here to see the full "Parties in the Courtyard" schedule.

In tribute to your contributions to the home furnishings industry and to the High Point Market, the High Point Market Authority is extending a special invitation to Market exhibitors and sales representatives. Please make plans to join us for a special reception on Saturday, September 29, 2007, just prior to opening day of Fall Market.

All exhibitors and reps are invited to reconnect with friends old and new, and raise a glass to another successful High Point Market under the Showplace Tent from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Musical entertainment will be provided by the Toccatatones, an all-male acappella ensemble from High Point University.

"Our exhibitors put an enormous amount of effort into designing products, creating showrooms, and doing business at the High Point Market," says Brian D. Casey, President of the High Point Market Authority. "We created this new event because we want to have an opportunity to show our appreciation for them and their hard-working sales forces. It also provides exhibitors and reps a brief respite between the hard work of getting ready for Market and the week of selling that follows."

"We"ve been working with high-end, design oriented home furnishings customers ever since my father founded our store, almost 50 years ago. I"ve been attending the High Point Market for the past 25 years, and find that it"s not only an excellent resource, but a very pleasant experience. There is no question that it has the greatest selection of high-end makers, and is where you"re most likely to find the products that will satisfy your customers."

- Jack Burke, President, Leo Burke Furniture Co., Inc.


 
More than 85,000 registrants
More than 2600 Exhibitors
110 Countries Represented
Tens of Thousands of New Product Introductions
Fall 2007 Market Dates: October 1 - 7

High Point Market Authority •  101 South Main Street •  High Point, NC 27260