Home Furnishings Manufacturing Solutions Expo Draws Record Attendance

Furniture World News Desk on 8/5/2019

The third edition of Home Furnishings Manufacturing Solutions Expo (HFMSE), a trade show and conference serving the furniture manufacturing industry, was held July 17-18, 2019 at the Hickory Metro Convention Center in Hickory, North Carolina. Owned and organized by Exposition Development Company, Inc. (ExpoDevCo) and Progressive Business Media (PBM), HFMSE featured exhibitors showcasing supplies, equipment, machinery and more, a much-needed platform for attendees in the furniture manufacturing industry. The move to Hickory, North Carolina fostered not only an increase in the number of furniture manufacturers attending, but also in the depth of delegations sent by individual companies. With the show in easy driving distance to a larger number of furniture manufacturers, many companies sent groups from different parts of the company on each of the expo’s two days and saw many choosing to attend both days. The show hosted more than 1,000 attendees as well as 69 exhibiting companies/brands from Italy, Romania, Switzerland, and the USA.

Manufacturing Excellence Awards

During the Expo, Furniture Today presented the prestigious Manufacturing Excellence Awards. The awards were given in four categories each honoring manufacturers who are leaders in the furniture industry. Listed below are the categories and the winners:

• Product Design & Innovation Award, Awarded To:  HomeStretch
• Manufacturing Innovation Awarded To:  McCreary Modern
• Domestic Manufacturer of the Year Awarded To:  Century Furniture
• Upholstery Supplier of the Year Awarded To:  STI Fabrics

Educational Program

 
The two-day educational program featured topics such as Major Trends Disrupting the Furniture Industry, presented by Daniella Ambrogi, VP of Marketing – Lectra; Partnering with Industry to Train the Next Generation of Furniture Manufacturing Presented by Jeff Link, Dean of Career and Technical Education, Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute; and Upholstered Furniture Design presented by Lewis Mabon, ISFD, Design Engineer, Furniture Technology Center, Leggett & Platt.


Key Supporters

Key Supporters included the American Home Furnishings Alliance; Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute; Catawba Valley Community College; the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina; the Manufacturing Solutions Center; and the North Carolina State University Wood Products Extension.

 

Testimonials

“It’s been a great show for us. We’ve done a ton of demonstrations, and it’s provided us the opportunity to communicate with a larger number of manufacturers that sent full groups of people to attend.”

 

Heather Corrigan, Furniture Marketing Manager, Lectra

“We’re very happy with the number of conversations we’ve had, and it’s with people who have authority to make decisions.”

Emanuel Martonca, Sales Manager, Thagora.

“The show’s location proved favorable for the company.”

Jason Porter, Vice President of Sales for Furniture, Hickory Springs

 

“This has been a very busy show for us. It’s been the right people in terms of seeing decision makers such as CEOs and Operations Teams, as well as both new and existing customers.”

Matthew Rollins, General Manager, Mocean

The 4rd edition of Home Furnishings Manufacturing Solutions Expo will take place July 15 - 16, 2020 at the Hickory Metro Convention Center in Hickory, North Carolina. For more information, visit www.HFMSE.com.
 

 

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About Progressive Business Media: Progressive Business Media, (PBM), is the premier business media and communications company serving the home furnishings industry. It is the parent company of brands including Furniture/Today, Home Accents Today, Home & Textiles Today, Casual Living, Gifts and Decorative Accessories, and HFN. PBM’s brands deliver content and research through print and online channels, as well as live conferences and events. The company prides itself on being part of the various business communities it serves bringing people together to discuss issues of the day and to deliver meaningful content to the right audience, through the right channel, at the right time. For more information, visit www.ProgressiveBusinessMedia.com.

About Exposition Development Company: Exposition Development Company, Inc. (ExpoDevCo), is owned and managed by partners David Audrain and Stephanie Everett who have more than 44 years combined experience in producing tradeshows and events. ExpoDevCo produces several tradeshows and conferences across North America in various industry sectors including manufacturing, cybersecurity, and foodservice. For more information, visit www.ExpoDevCo.com.