HIGH POINT — While rising fuel costs are being felt in everything from shipping to transportation, and tariffs remain a hot-button topic, this month’s High Point Market proved to be resilient.
That was the message from President and CEO Tammy Covington during the April 29 meeting of the High Point Market Authority, held at the American Home Furnishings Hall of Fame. Covington said after end of day Tuesday, registration was about 1% off the fall market’s pace.
But even with no substantial change in attendance figures in either direction, Covington said she heard overwhelmingly positive comments from attendees from across the spectrum.
“‘Now I get it,’ a direct quote from a San Diego designer who has been in business for 25 years but had never been to High Point. He had been to markets all over the world, but he had never been here. After his first visit, he said he would never miss another one,” Covington said.
“A first-time designer visiting from Japan who participated in our Insiders Tour commented that she’s now a ‘passionate believer,’” she continued. “When it comes to High Point, she said, ‘High Point is a show for serious designers, whereas shows in other places of the world are simply trend events.’
“An exhibitor showing in 313 Space told us he had so much follow-up to do he was concerned he couldn’t get it all done. The most important thing he said was it was the right kind of buyer, which, he said, makes showing worth everything,” Covington concluded.
Additionally, Covington noted that the market had 197 new exhibitors on hand, as well as new facilities from Roberta Schilling, Amadi Collective and Armen Living.
Ashley Grigg, vice president of strategic growth and partnerships, said that in October, the market will likely host a pair of international buyer tours, one for retailers and one for designers.
Ben Muller, vice president of marketing and communications, shared that the team working on the High Point Market documentary was in town again, after observing in October. Instead of coming in wide-eyed as they did six months ago, this time crews had a point of view in mind. Muller said the film remains on schedule for an October debut.
Muller also noted that the High Point Market’s Instagram account is about 250 followers short of 250,000 and that it gained 24,000 followers in the past year.
Terry Venable, senior vice president of operations and finance, said the transportation team recalibrated some of its less-busy shuttle routes to focus more on the Go Anywhere shuttle service.
“That service uses mostly large SUVs and operates like an Uber or Lyft, and calls for that service continue to increase,” he said. “We were able to increase our fleet by a little over 10% this market to keep those wait times reasonable.”
Venable said, with construction under way for the new High Point Market Authority offices, plans for using the space for hospitality and education at market are under consideration. The new space, located at 115 S. Hamilton St., is expected to open just before the April 2027 market.
