 High Point celebrates 100 years
(North Carolina) If there's one lesson to learn from the slump in the economy, it's that you don't waste a good crisis. This year’s show marked the 100th anniversary of the High Point Market, and for the third consecutive year the opening day was changed. Exhibitors expressed mixed feelings about the market's first-ever Saturday opening. Some retailers were saying they wanted to be in their own stores on the weekend and wouldn’t come until later in the week.
Coaster attendance got off to a quiet start Saturday as buyers and exhibitors tried to figure out how to navigate the prolonged industry sales slump, but by the end of the show, this markets numbers were higher than last fall’s.
As part of the centennial celebration, members of North Carolina A&T's Marching Machine band were on hand to escort journalists down Wrenn Street for a press conference with local and national government representatives discussing the importance of the market and its 100th anniversary.
One of the highlights of the show included Furniture/Today gathering industry leaders for a roundtable to discuss how they are positioning themselves in today's economy, and how they're getting ready for an eventual upswing. Most said they aren't expecting a turnaround this year, but if you look at the recessions in 1981, the early 1990s and 2001 recessions, businesses experienced a huge surge following those downturns. The same should be true this time. Experts predict consumers are likely tired of negative economic news and will try to find a way to become more positive. We should see a bump by summer.
The next High Point Market will take place in the Fall, with the pre-market overlapping the next Las Vegas Market, which is set for Sept. 14-17. Despite the two shows being so close together High Point Market Authority president and CEO Brian Casey believes that Vegas will be hurt more than High Point by the switch in dates. "High Point has historically been, and continues to be, the source for new product introductions above and beyond any other market here in the U.S., and these leaders believe it is in the best interest of their companies, their customers, and the industry that it remains so," Casey said in a statement..
Important moments in High Point Market History
1889
Production begins in High Point's first furniture factory. The High Point Furniture Manufacturing Co. ships its first piece, a desk. Its success inspires others to get into the business. The industry grows thanks to a ready supply of hardwood lumber and growing regional consumer demand for inexpensive furniture.
1901
Thirty-five area furniture manufacturers meet in the High Point mayor's office to discuss creating a Southern Furniture Exposition. Their goal is to compete with established markets in New York, Chicago and Grand Rapids, Mich.
1909
The two exposition companies join forces and announce the first formal Southern Furniture Market, to be held in High Point. ... The first Southern Furniture Market opens on March 1. Attendance is moderate, with buyers coming mostly from North Carolina and neighboring states. ...The second market is held during June and July. Attendance improves over the first event but is not enough to encourage the establishment of a regular biannual market; exhibitors adopt a once-a-year schedule.
1921
The Southern Furniture Exposition Building opens for its first show on June 20. Built in 19 months, at a cost of about $1 million, it contains 249,000 square feet of exhibition space. Regular shows are held in January and July. ...Seven hundred buyers from 100 cities across the United States attend the first show in the new building. Nearly 150 exhibitors display their wares, gaining $2.25 million in total sales.
1922 – 1929
The Southern market experiences rapid growth during the Roaring '20s, setting records every year. ... The number of North Carolina furniture factories grows from 113 to 143 and production increases 33.6%
1936
The Southern Exposition Building celebrates its 15th anniversary with record attendance during the July event, where 2,485 buyers shop 150 exhibits.
1940
Plans for a four-story addition to the Southern Exposition Building are announced; before construction begins, 40 exhibitors have rented the new space.
1941
On December 7, "a day that will live in infamy," Japan attacks Pearl Harbor. ... Material and manpower used for furniture making are turned to the war effort, virtually eliminating production for civilian use. The Southern Furniture Exposition is put on hold.
1958
Due to the success of the spring and fall "mid-season" markets, the January and July events are reduced from 10 to seven days and a Monday to Saturday schedule is adopted.
1982
The January and July shows, long relegated to the status of regional markets, are discontinued. April and October are now the only shows in High Point.
2005
A new state-of-the-art Transportation Terminal opens in downtown High Point, offering market visitors free shuttles to every showroom and event. ... An on-line Market Planning Tool is added to the Market Authority Web site, allowing guests to select the showrooms and events they will be visiting, and then print them out on a map that cross-references each location to its nearest shuttle stop. ... A centralized registration system allows visitors to obtain a single badge for all major market venues in one transaction. ...The market grows by 187,500 square feet as five new showrooms are opened
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