High Point Market Awarded International Buyer Program Designation for 2011
Furniture World Magazine
on
4/15/2010
The High Point Market Authority announced that the 2011 High Point Market has now been designated a U.S. Commercial Service International Buyer Program (IBP) event. This will be the fourth time the High Point Market has been honored with the IBP designation.
According to Brian D. Casey, president and chief executive officer of the High Point Market Authority, the IBP program is designed to connect U.S. companies with foreign customers, and to raise global awareness of a designated event.
“The High Point Market is among more than 40 U.S. trade events representing major industry business sectors that have been selected for the IBP by the U.S. department of Commerce for calendar year 2011,” Casey says. “It is the only home furnishings trade event to receive the designation and recognizes the importance of our Market to the home furnishings industry here in the U.S. and the role that we play in the expansion of exports. The IBP designation also underscores the global nature of our Market and its influence on the world economy.”
“We are pleased to be partnering again with High Point Market in 2011 to increase exports in this industry that support economic growth and jobs for Americans,” says Blanche Ziv, IBP director. “Supporting President Obama’s National Export Initiative (NEI) which aims to double U.S. exports within the next five years and create 2 million new jobs, the International Buyer Program (IBP) aims to increase attendance of foreign buyers to High Point and other U.S. trade shows accepted into the IBP.”
Matchmaking activities between delegates, foreign buyers and exhibitors will be led by Department of Commerce personnel throughout Market week. “In today’s global economy it’s important that U.S. companies continue to seek new markets and we hope to continue to grow sales of exports from products exhibited at this show,” Ziv says.
“When I came to High Point four years ago, I realized the importance of securing our position in the global marketplace and on the world stage,” Casey says. “From the beginning, I made it a priority to strengthen our international presence and our promotional initiatives since have been significant. For example, throughout the past three years we have been working closely with the U.S. Commercial Service and its network of trade specialists in U.S. embassies around the world to promote the High Point Market.”
Last Spring, the U.S. Commercial Service helped in the recruitment of delegations from Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Ukraine, Kenya, Honduras and Canada. “This Market, we are welcoming major delegations led by Commercial Service representatives from Saudi Arabia, Columbia and Canada, as well as delegates from the Ukraine and Jordan,” Casey relates. “These special delegations are in addition to the international buying organizations traveling to High Point this week from Europe, Mexico, the Caribbean, South America, Asia and the Pacific Rim countries, Africa, India and the Middle East.”
Additionally, the executive notes, “International promotion of the High Point Market has been augmented by our international trade publication initiative, through which we invite journalists from all over the world to High Point to cover the Market each season. This week we are hosting editors from Dubai, Brazil, Columbia. In prior Markets we have hosted editors from Australia, Canada, Korea, the Netherlands, Spain, Japan, Italy, India, Mexico and Russia, and this has resulted in very positive editorial coverage in publications around the world. These articles are proving to be much more cost-effective in garnering attention from readers in these regions than simply booking advertisements.”
Along with developing an integrated strategic approach to messaging, marketing and outreach in the global marketplace, Casey has increased the High Point Market’s presence at other trade shows, meeting with consulate representatives around the world that assist in promotion of the Market and initiating cross-promotional activities with other trade show organizers where appropriate.
Finally, he adds, “We have also worked closely with Jean Davis and the team at the North Carolina Department of Commerce on a variety of programs that support North Carolina-based home furnishings companies’ entry into worldwide markets.”
The High Point Market Authority is the official sponsor of the High Point Market in High Point, North Carolina. Featuring an extensive selection of exhibitors spanning every category, style and price point and attracting thousands of visitors from more than 110 countries twice each year, the High Point Market is the driving force of the home furnishings industry.