Show Preview - October 2009

Centennial Bliss
By Wanda Jankowski

Fresh resources, relevant learning opportunities, new exhibitors and rousing entertainment cap off High Point Market's centenary celebration

Wildcat Territory has launched a made-to-order drapery program that includes 80 fabrics with 11 curtain profiles and nine distinctive ways to embellish them. Shown is Horizon, a graphic color-block in black-and-white shantung.
Pendleton's Broadway Plaid features rich grays and daring red accents. The 100 percent wool classic plaid includes whipstitch binding and is offered in twin, queen and king sizes. Coordinating pieces also available and shown are the houndstooth pillows and wool-looped euro shams.
Hand-knotted in Nepal, the raised silk damask patterns of the Kooshlamé Collection from Feizy sprawl against a shorter pile of Tibetan wool.
D'Kei features new cookie-sized medallions and flower rosettes in 10 of the company's most popular colorways that coordinate with its basic cording, brush fringes and bullions. 

High Point Market continues to celebrate its 100th year as a leading home furnishings market with a jack-o-lantern full of sweet pre-Halloween treats, from special events and educational opportunities to new exhibits, for visitors attending the Oct. 17 to 22, 2009 event. To cater to the growing number of designer and high-end retailer visitors, Market Square has launched the Unique Boutique to showcase fine antiques, collectibles, hand-crafted one-of-a-kind items and original art. The Suites at Market will also include an area devoted exclusively to companies that are new exhibitors to High Point Market, along with a special pavilion to showcase fabrics, trims, pillows, draperies and other finished goods. 

The plaza level of Showplace West is the location of the new, permanent state-of-the-art High Point Market Media Center created by High Point Market Authority. Showplace West is also the place to be to experience entertainment at 100 High, a new venue serving up tapas, wine, cocktails, music and dancing each night during market from 5 to 11 p.m. Housed in the former Noble’s Restaurant and courtyard plaza adjacent to the new media center, 100 High’s name is derived from the location in the 100s block of High Street and as a tribute to the 100th anniversary of High Point Market.

The Market Kick-Off Party on Friday, Oct. 16 takes place at 100 High with a low-country shrimp boil and music by Melva Houston.

Other entertainment includes the Stars Under the Stars at the Center Stage tent performance by singer-songwriter Gavin DeGraw, who headlines the Centennial Celebration on Sunday, Oct. 18. Simply Irresistible will perform at Center Stage on Saturday evening, Oct. 17, and the Cowboy Mouth band takes the stage on Monday, Oct. 19.

Learning Curves

Opportunities to learn about new technologies and techniques abound at High Point Market.
The new Retailer Resource Center (RRC), located on the first floor in Plaza Suites and presented by the National Home Furnishings Association (NHFA), offers networking opportunities, educational seminars and product information. Seminars are held daily and most are hour-long, free and require no reservations. They cover a range of topics from “Success in Spite of the Economy” and “Web Strategy 101” to “Increase Sales, Increase Margin and Improve Your Merchandise Mix by Using Retail Science,” “Changing Times—Proven Techniques” and “Email Marketing: A Killer Tool for Tight Budgets.”

Fall Designer Series seminars will be held in the International Home Furnishings Center (IHFC), Green Wing, 11th floor from Oct. 17 to 21, 2009. Presentations include: “Color and Trend” by Stephen Bernasconi, the WithIt Educational Breakfast featuring designer Tobi Fairley, IFDA Carolinas Chapter/IHFC sponsored lunches with speaker Mariette Himes Gomez, a DESIGNINGreen Roundtable with participants Alexander Julian, Vladimir Kagan and Thom Filicia sponsored by the Sustainable Furnishings Council, and sessions on “Home and the Modern Lifestyle: What Americans Expect Now,” and “Re-designing Your Career: New Directions for Today’s Interior Designer.”

Advance registration is recommended for breakfast and lunch events.

For information on exhibitors, special pavilions, events and entertainment, contact the High Point Market Authority at highpointmarket.org. LDB (article continues on next page)

Resources
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