"if you can’t find it in High Point…it probably doesn’t exist."
Headed to Market for the first time? We've put together a step-by-step guide to make your experience everything you want and need it to be. From scheduling your flight and reserving your rooms, to finding the showrooms, seminars and events you want to see, and getting around town, a successful Market trip does require some pre-planning. Thankfully, HPM every resource you could ever need right at your finger tips!
1. DON’T FORGET TO REGISTER!
Trust us, it happens! You book your flights and hotel, arrive in High Point excited to start shopping showrooms, step into your first building, and BAM. You don’t have your pass. In all the anticipation, you forgot to sign up! So first things first; if you haven’t already, register for passes!
PRO TIP: Hotels fill up early – make your reservations as soon as possible.
2. GETTING THERE
Planes, trains and automobiles are all at your service to get you into High Point. HPM even has resources to make finding rental cars a breeze. Head over to highpointmarket.org to help plan your trip.
Guests flying in have the advantage of choosing between three airports: Piedmont Triad (GSO), Raleigh-Durham (RDU) and Charlotte/Douglas (CLT). Each one of the three airports is served by HPM's free airport shuttle service, so you can choose the one that works best for your budget and schedule. One thing to keep in mind: If you choose RDU or CLT, you must reserve your shuttle online.
3. ACCOMMODATIONS
Whether you’re looking for a luxury resort experience, a budget hotel stay, or even a private home, HPM has a room for you. Check the Hotels page in the Plan Your Trip section for rates, contact information, and check the Hotel Shuttles page for free hotel shuttle times.
A private home can be an excellent option if you’re coming to Market as part of a group. Visit the Private Home Rentals page or Airbnb to see information for renting an entire home. Don't be afraid to shop around either – costs vary widely from location to location.
4. PLAN YOUR MARKET VISIT ONLINE - SAVE IT TO MYMARKET
HPM has an App to help make your planning and trip as seamless as possible! With MyMarket, you can search for exhibitors by name, product category, and building, filter by price point and service, and investigate exhibitors' full profiles. Shuttle stops, educational and social events are also featured within the App, plus you can save all your selections to your personal Market plan.
If you’re an iPhone user, you can keep your plan in the palm of your hand with the High Point Market App (available in the App Store). Plus, you’ll enjoy blue dot navigation from building to building. For Android users, HPM's mobile-friendly website gives you ready access to your MyMarket plan anytime, anywhere.
5. MAKE APPOINTMENTS
Market is officially open from 8am - 7pm Saturday - Tuesday, Wednesday 8am - 5pm. Whenever you choose to visit, exhibitors want to make sure you have the best possible experience, so it’s always a good idea to set up your appointments before you get to town. Some exhibitors even choose to open their showrooms a day early, Friday, so you might be able to enjoy exhibits in a more relaxed, less crowded environment. Did we mention that most vendors will provide snacks, beverages and/or cocktails if you schedule an appointment! We strongly recommend scheduling appointments for any showrooms you intend to visit outside of these officially published hours.
6. GETTING AROUND
If you drive in to Market, be sure to take full advantage of the two Park & Ride lots. Both offer free parking and free shuttle service to and from the downtown Transportation Terminal.
It really isn’t necessary to bring your car, though. The free airport and hotel shuttles will take you right to the Transportation Terminal, where you can catch free shuttles to any Market showroom and event. You can also grab a free ride to almost any off-campus venue. The "Go Anywhere" shuttles will take you to any location within a 6 mile radius of the Transportation Terminal.
Pro Tip: Save your dress shoes for special events, and wear something comfortable to get from place to place.
7. IF YOU DON’T DIY…
Nervous about planning everything yourself? Let someone else do it. HPM partner's with travel agency, Travel Quest Inc., and they will handle everything for you! From flights and shuttles to lodging reservations; think of Travel Quest Inc. as your Market concierge. Give them a call at 336.434.3867 or email hpmarket@travelquestinc.com to get a jumpstart on your trip.
PRO TIP: International guests can call Travel Quest Inc. for travel services, and visit the International Buyers Center for onsite services such as currency exchange.
Sure, there are a lot of moving parts to planning your Market tour, but these steps should keep it from getting too difficult. Oh – one final tip – remember that Market experts are always available to help. If you have any questions or need assistance, just give them a call at 336.869.1000.
Showrooms You Don't Want to Miss
HPM always promises showrooms filled with sizzling new styles! Here are a couple of our favorite - don't miss showrooms!
Selamat
"Created to be Classic" is Selamat Designs vision and driving philosophy. Every piece of furniture and accessory the company offers tells a tale - a classic story for every occasion. Led by a husband-and-wife team, Selamat values relationships and the power of optimistic design. The name is a warm greeting, a welcome—the “Aloha” of Southeast Asia where they manufacture many of their products. Selamat's furniture, lighting, and home décor pieces are inspired by a range of traditional and modern influences, but are always rooted in sustainable, eco-friendly design practices. Based in San Francisco, Selamat introduces new collections of indoor/outdoor furniture, lighting, and home decor twice annually to a wholesale customer base of designers, retailers, commercial clients and showrooms.
Loloi
With a focus on designing bold statement pieces for the home, Made Goods furniture offers your space a dramatically distinctive look. This dynamic brand utilizes a team of talented in-house designers who mix and meld a combination of unusual materials with thoughtful design and unexpected shapes. Each piece from Made Goods is made with pride, and it shows in its designs and aesthetics. Made Good home furnishings focus on texture and material to add layers of complexity to any room of your home. They work closely with artisans from around the world to provide you with innovative designs that add visual appeal along with endless functionality.
Regina Andrew Detroit
Regina Andrew is based in Detroit and believes that every item should electrify the room. This amazing designer brand has a goal of sparking self-expression and creativity through bold and unforgettable designs. The company was founded by real-life couple Carla Regina and James Andrew, also known as Jimi. They got their start in the “Paris of the Midwest” and developed a home décor and lighting brand that leaves a lasting impression. Blending impeccable forms with lasting function, each item infuses a healthy dose of rock n’ roll to make their products unique. With a global-inspired twist utilizing natural materials, Regina Andrew lighting products are more than just functional: they’re also a work of art. Look for items that utilize bold materials like crystal, alabaster, and marble for a timeless touch. Brass and mirrored finishes give their signature pieces a sleek, glamorous finishing touch.
Bungalow 5
Bungalow 5 is a New York City-based brand offering a range of unique pieces inspired by history but updated for today’s modern home. The brand’s passion for bringing a modern perspective to classic luxury melds inspiration from architects and leading designers with consumer trends. Every product designed by Bungalow 5 is made through collaborations with handpicked craftsmen and artisans from all corners of the world. Utilizing a unique blend of textures, finishes, and materials, this dynamic and bold brand offers meticulous artisanship with attention to detail. From hand-wrapped grass cloth furniture to hand-hammered metal accents and decor, no detail is left overlooked and no stone unturned. You’ll find a myriad of dramatic options from Bungalow 5 at Meadow Blu including furniture, lighting, decorative pieces, and so much more.
Information and idea central for all things High Point Market
Come see what is new at The Point, located on Commerce Avenue, just a block from the Transportation Terminal. A new design, a new structure, but the same focus on making your experience at High Point Market an unforgettable one. The Point offers roundtable discussions with leaders in the home furnishings industry each day at 10am and 2pm. Grab a delicious lunch in a comfortable and relaxing environment. The evenings will feature valuable networking opportunities. Need help navigating High Point Market? Stop in to talk with a dedicated Market Advisor that can help you find any showroom and develop a plan to make the most of your valuable time. Open Friday through Wednesday, The Point is your connection to inspiration.
No matter how you choose to embark on Market this year, you're sure to have an unforgettable time. Don't forget to follow along on all social media platforms and make sure to tag #HPMKT!