The High Point Market Authority is inviting Market exhibitors to show off their visual merchandising talents in the 3rd-annual High Point Market Showroom Display and Merchandising Ideas Competition this Fall, and for the first time, inviting attendees to vote for their favorite showrooms.
“Designers and retailers have long known that the High Point Market is the place where trends begin—and a great place to discover fresh, new merchandising ideas,” says Brian D. Casey, president and chief executive of the High Point Market Authority. “Year after year, buyers tell us that experiencing the world’s most creative and innovative displays are one of their favorite aspects of Market, and that they use the ideas they find here in their stores when they return home. The Competition honors the extraordinary creativity and exchange of ideas that occur here, and with excellent exhibitor participation and positive feedback from buyers, it has become one of the most anticipated events each Fall.”
According to Casey, this year it’s easier than ever for every exhibitor take part in the Competition. “The new, easy-to-use online entry system we are instituting will enable exhibitors to submit entries in minutes, with a minimum of effort,” he says. “Plus, we’re including a special recognition this year—the People’s Choice Award—that honors the voice of our customers. It’s a fantastic vehicle our exhibitors can use to promote their showrooms.”
The formal competition—judged by respected industry leaders with great eyes for design—will single out the very best display for Fall 2009. Exhibitors need simply submit a photograph and brief description of their display via www.highpointmarket.org by 10 a.m. on Opening Day of Market, Saturday, October 17, 2009 to put their showroom in the running. All entries will be judged on the afternoon of Monday, October 19 and the winner of the prestigious Best of Market Award will be announced at that evening’s Stars Under the Stars event. In addition to this public, at-Market recognition, the winning showroom will be featured in a press release to all of the major home furnishings trade and consumer publications, as well as on the High Point Market website.
Voting for the new People’s Choice Award will be conducted via Twitter and text messaging. The winner of the People’s Choice will also be recognized Monday night, in a press release to the trade and consumer media and on the Market Authority website. “The link, www.highpointmarket.org/sc2009 will connect exhibitors with a powerful program for gaining greater recognition and building showroom traffic,” Casey says. “Be sure to check back over the next few weeks for more information about the judging criteria, official competition rules and submission guidelines, and our online entry form.”
