Market Authority President Announces Special Rates for High Point Market

Furniture World Magazine

Brian D. Casey, president of the High Point Market Authority had good news for guests attending the welcome reception in his honor. In a forum reminiscent of a town meeting, Casey outlined his vision for the High Point Market and spoke about the numerous improvements that will be in evidence to Market-goers in the coming week. The event was sponsored by Friends of the Furniture Industry, a group comprised of local businesspeople who wished to welcome Casey to the community, demonstrate their support of the Market, and open a dialog between the Authority and the citizens of High Point. Among the most stunning revelations, was the announcement of room rate reductions secured by the Market Authority for Spring Market 2007. In August of this year, Casey created a Hotel Task Force to provide strategic advice, feedback, overview and recommendations from the hospitality industry to the Market Authority. The Hotel Task Force, chaired by Pamela Vargas with Marriott Hotels, is comprised of hoteliers from the Triad area, along with representatives of the Greensboro Convention & Visitors Bureau and High Point Convention & Visitor’s Bureau. As a result of the Task Force’s meetings, the Market Authority has been able to secure sub-blocks of rooms at discounted rates available until January 31st, 2007. “The Market Authority used the Task Force to validate the concept of this program,” Casey related. “The Market Authority then proceeded to contact hotels on an individual basis to solicit the most favorable rates. Indeed, we will be able to offer Market-goers room rates as low as $59.” Beginning November 6, Market-goers will be able to book these rooms through the Market Authority’s website, www.highpointmarket.org. Noted Casey, “With rate reductions of 22 percent on average, and some as high as 41 percent, some restrictions and minimum stays will apply. However, we expect these rooms to book very quickly and will be urging Market attendees to market their plans now to join us for Spring Market, March 26th through April 1st, 2007.” Casey also reported, “This is just the first phase of our program, and we’ll be adding new hotels to the mix as we move forward. Obviously, we will be promoting these hotels above others who choose not to work with the Market. I applaud all the members of the Task Force for helping to improve our overall housing situation and ultimately, the guest experience here at Market. As we move ahead, we expect to formulate additional programs through the Task Force, such as best practices, improved service levels and other innovative ideas.” List of Participating Hotels: ARCHDALE Hampton Inn Holiday Inn Express Innkeeper GREENSBORO Airport Marriott Best Western Wendover Plaza Best Western Windsor Suites Comfort Suites Airport Embassy Suites Hilton Garden Inn Holiday Inn Express-East Holiday Inn Express-Wendover Homewood Suites Marriott Downtown Quality Inn & Suites Sleep Inn Airport Super 8 Coliseum WINSTON-SALEM Clarion Sundance Plaza Comfort Suites Hanes Mall Courtyard University Parkway Days Inn Hanes Mall Fairfield Inn Hanes Mall Hawthorne Inn Innkeeper-Peters Creek Pkwy Microtel Inn Hanes Mall Quality Inn & Suited Hanes Mall Wingate Inn BURLINGTON Comfort Inn About the High Point Market Authority: The High Point Market Authority is the official sponsor of the High Point Market: The World’s Home for Home Furnishings. Featuring more than 2600 exhibitors and attracting tens of thousands of visitors from more than 110 countries, the High Point Market is the driving force of the home furnishings industry.