Fairchild Urban Expositions' Newest Show Brings Categories to Furniture Market Forefront in High Point April '99

Furniture World Magazine

Fairchild Urban Expositions announced that it will produce a semi-annual decorative accessory and gift show 'in conjunction with High Point, North Carolina's International Home Furnishings Markets beginning April 1999. The Atlanta-based trade show management company secured the former One Davis Center building for future April and October markets. Making its debut April 15-20, 1999, the High Point Decorative Accessories and Gift Mart will provide furniture market attendees with the first exclusive, consolidated and convenient buying resource for these increasingly profitable product categories. "High Point is the logical destination city for a dedicated decorative accessory and gift show," says Doug Miller, president, Fairchild Urban Expositions. "The dividing line between higher-end gifts and decorative home accessories has blurred 'in recent years. Growing numbers of furniture dealers, interior designers and other specialty retailers now recognize the tremendous profit potential these products deliver. What's more, many gift and accessories stores are now adding furniture and accent pieces to their merchandise mix." Bordered by Main and Wrenn Streets, the High Point Decorative Accessories and Gift Man at 114 North Main Street, is located within close proximity to other market venues. Show management anticipates that a small percentage of the show's exhibitor base will come from current High Point exhibitors who choose to relocate to benefit from the new show's industry-specific focus and advantageous location. The majority of the show's resources will be upscale giftware and decorative accessory companies that have never participated in the High Point marketplace. "A centralized showplace for these categories within the framework of the furniture industry's premiere market event will provide tremendous business-building opportunities for buyers and exhibitors alike. We've watched the accessory *industry move into the High Point market for the past 20 years," adds Tom Fulghum, managing partner, Fairchild Urban Expositions and former general manager of Atlanta's Gift and Merchandise Marts. "Until now, these categories have never had a unified home. There has never been a building 'in High Point dedicated exclusively to the decorative accessories and giftware 'industries." With more than 300 booths, the High Point Decorative Accessories and Gift Mart will bring together manufacturers and representatives showcasing a wide range of accessories and giftware items, including lamps and lighting, tabletop and table accessories, wall decor, mirrors, picture frames, baskets, silk florals, area rugs, objets d'art, stoneware, throws, decorative pillows, tapestries, linens, garden accessories, candles and more. Buyers will also benefit from the convenience of the new consolidated market. Fairchild Urban Expositions expects the majority of the show's attendance from retailers and designers who already shop the furniture market. An aggressive on-site marketing campaign will help direct them to the new show location, including outdoor advertising, special signage, fliers, directory advertising and other promotions. In addition, a special direct mail campaign will target North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia gift and home accent retailers who do not currently attend the High Point market. The High Point Decorative Accessories and Gift Market is the sixth show to be launched by Fairchild Urban Expositions since the company's first show in 1996. Directed by the 'industry veterans who propelled Atlanta to its premier position in the gift and home accessories industries - Doug Miller, former AMC Trade Shows general manager and Tom Fulghum, former Atlanta Gift and Merchandise Mart general manager - Fairchild Urban Expositions brings years of proven gift, furniture, decorative accessory and trade show development experience to this new venture. "Rather than trying to create the biggest show with the most bells and whistles, our goal is to fill a void in a marketplace with a business-writing show, pure and simple," says Miller. "In High Point, the accessories industry has been under-served compared to furniture, while the gift industry's potential remains virtually untapped. In the short term, we're creating a better buying and selling environment for these related 'industries. In the long term, we hope that our new mart will enhance and complement High Point market attendees' current business and become a key destination for them during market. Although the traditional gift and decorative accessory buying periods are In January and the summer months, Fairchild Urban Expositions will initially focus on the April and October furniture markets to develop these industries in High Point. Atlanta-based Fairchild Urban Expositions is a partnership of Fairchild Publications and Urban Expositions and Development. Fairchild Publications is a fully owned subsidiary of ABC Inc., a division of The Walt Disney Company. Fairchild Urban Expositions also owns the semi-annual Philadelphia Gift Shows, Miami International Gift & Decorative Accessories Shows, Columbus (Ohio) Gift Shows, the Midwest Country Collectibles Show (held in conjunction with the March edition of the Columbus Gift Show), the second annual Grand Strand Gift and Resort Merchandise Show in Myrtle Beach and the Atlantic City Souvenir & Resort Merchandise Show. For more information about these shows, please call Fairchild Urban Expositions at 770-952-6444.