High Point Pre-Market Event slated for September 15 & 16

Furniture World Magazine

Long an informal and unofficial affair, Pre-Market—scheduled for September 15-16, 2008—has been reenergized and repositioned as a special event offering significant competitive advantage for participating retailers and manufacturers. “Economic conditions continue to challenge many in the home furnishings industry,” says Brian D. Casey, president and chief executive of the High Point Market Authority, who serves as spokesperson for the event’s organizing manufacturers. “Yet, for a number of leading retailers, participating in Pre-Market is a way to secure distribution of key product lines and shore up vendor relationships. The event also enables buyers to spend more time exploring and focusing on what’s new at Market five weeks later, October 20 to 26, in terms of fashion trends and new products, because much of the preliminary groundwork has already been laid. Buyers tell us this assists them in making smart buying decisions, which is obviously more critical than ever in difficult times.” With the addition of several leading upholstery manufacturers last Spring, as well as several new manufacturers this Fall, Casey notes that the special event with its attendant networking opportunities continues to gain traction. Each of the participating manufacturers contributes to the cost of the event in order to deliver a superlative customer service experience. Additionally, the dates are set and published each season by the sponsoring manufacturers. “Participation in Pre-Market is open to any High Point Market exhibitor that wishes to comply with the organizing manufacturers’ mandate: The presentation of product in Market-ready condition,” relates Kevin O’Connor, chief executive of Samson Marketing, parent company of Legacy Classic and Universal Furniture, who is recognized as the “architect” of the Pre-Market movement. “Others may participate unofficially by merely opening their showrooms, but will not be included in any pre-event promotions encouraging retailers to attend, or the social/networking functions planned for the event, such as the opening night reception. Our goal is not to be exclusive, but to deliver the greatest value to the retailers in attendance and that requires the ability to preview fully realized product introductions,” O’Connor says. Participating Pre-Market Exhibitors Include: American Drew/Lea Industries IHFC C-926 A.R.T. Furniture, Inc. Plaza Suites 200 AspenHome IHFC C-1258 Bernhardt IHFC D-601 Broyhill IHFC C-600 Casana Furniture 220 Elm -400 Hammary IHFC C-354 Hekman 200 N. Hamilton Hooker Furniture IHFC W-1047 IdeaItalia 501 West Green Drive Kincaid IHFC H-1204 Leather Trend Plaza Suites 300 Legacy Classic Plaza Suites C-100 Natuzzi 130 W. Commerce Pulaski Furniture 220 Elm - 220 Riverside IHFC C-302 Rowe IHFC C-1058 Samuel Lawrence Furniture 220 Elm - 100 Stanley Furniture IHFC C-1158 Universal Furniture 2622 Uwharrie Road Vaughan-Bassett IHFC C-1000