Like the celebrities on reality TV's "Dancing With the Stars," retailers must push constantly to improve each week or they risk being voted off the stage.

That was the message from FRCH Design Worldwide, during "Dancing With The Stores," a lively presentation to a packed house at the National Retail Federation (NRF) Convention and Expo in New York last month.

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High Point Market is in the midst of a renaissance on many levels and among the many visible changes this Spring is a new exhibitor showcase on the third floor of the International Home Furnishings Center (IHFC).

Buyers "wowed" by the spectacular renovation of InterHall last Market will be thrilled by IHFC's latest, massive renovation project, aptly named Pavilions on 3. A sneak peak at the plans shows that the conventional corridors of the Main Wing's third floor are being replaced with a vibrant, open, SoHo-style exhibition space.

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R&B stars, rock stars and rising stars have been tapped to entertain Market guests in High Point this Spring.

The exciting nightly entertainment kicks off on Monday evening, April 7, 2008, with Kool & The Gang, playing such chart-topping hits as "Celebration," "Get Down On It," "Fresh," "Too Hot," "Misled," "Cherish," "Ladies Night," "Hollywood Swinging," "Joanna," and "Jungle Boogie" among many others. With a special sound at the unique intersection of jazz, R&B, funk and pop, the group's music has influenced the music of three generations and sold more than 70 million albums worldwide, racking up two Grammy Awards, seven American Music Awards, as well as 31 gold and platinum albums along the way.

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Exhibiting in High Point this Spring? Then mark your calendars for the Third Annual Hike for Hope—a two-mile walk benefiting the City of Hope, a leading research and treatment center for cancer, diabetes and other life-threatening diseases—set for the morning of Saturday, April 5, 2008.

The walk, led by Grand Marshal Jayson Friedman of Top 100 retailer Carls Furniture, will start and finish at the High Point Market Transportation Terminal and follow a scenic route through High Point's downtown. According to event chairperson Ellen Gefen, the Hike for Hope is a great opportunity for Market exhibitors to showcase their brand by donning their company T-shirts and walking as a team. Plus, the 7 a.m.-start time gives exhibitors plenty of time to get back to the showrooms for sales meetings and the like.

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Women in the Home Industries Today (WithIt)—the premiere international organization dedicated to the support and development of female professionals in the home industries—has announced a number of not-to-be-missed events scheduled for Spring Market in High Point.

The first, "Making Savvy Business Decisions Without Sacrificing Your Values," featuring guest speaker Jaclyn Smith (yes, that Jaclyn Smith) is set for Tuesday, April 8th at 7:30 a.m. in the IHFC Green Wing, 11th floor, Club level, Ballroom A. From her best-known role as one of the original "Charlie's Angels" to playing a leadership role in lifestyle merchandising in the home furnishings industry, Smith's sense of style comes from her heart. Over time, her name has become synonymous with beauty, grace and refreshing sincerity. By all accounts, her successful brands have been driven by strong values that reflect her life experiences, desire for happiness and belief in goodness.

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