The coronavirus pandemic has cratered sales in many industries, but the home furnishings category as a whole is not one of them. Big-box retailers and to-the-trade dealers alike have recorded record sales over the last six months as consumers look to enhance their homes for stay-at-home life. And so, after a missed Spring Market, High Point is back this fall—but don’t expect it to be Market as usual.
For starters, it will last for nine days, not five, in order to spread out attendees, who must visit on the dates assigned to their geographical region. The social distancing, limited capacity and safety precautions that have become the norm in every aspect of life will be omnipresent across High Point Market’s 180 buildings. Showrooms will be operating at 50 percent capacity (so scheduling appointments is a must), visitors will be required to undergo daily health checks, and typical crowd-drawing events like the Keynote Series and Style Spotters Live! will be virtual.
But the industry is itching to return and reconnect with clients, masked-face to masked-face. The mood is cautious yet excited, 6-foot distances and temperature checks be damned. So pack your hand sanitizer and ready the Zoom stream. Here’s everything we’re looking forward to, from new collaborations between old favorites to standout products and Market newcomers.
» It Takes Two: 8 of our favorite High Point collaborations this fall
» New Kids on the Block: 9 Market newcomers we’re excited to meet this season
» Fresh Fall Finds: 17 eye-catching new products to seek out in High Point
Looking for another way to follow along? Throughout the nine days, 23 top design talents will take over High Point Market’s Instagram account (@highpointmarket) to spotlight their favorite Market finds. Follow along to see what they are loving at the show!
Keep in mind: Appointments are strongly recommended—and for some exhibitors, may be required. Have a showroom you’re eager to visit? Find exhibitor contact information here; for additional information about health and safety protocols at Market, click here.
Mark Your Calendar
These virtual events promise provocative, of-the-moment conversations
among industry leaders—and you don’t have to leave your house to attend.
Find links to these online Market events and more here.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14
Keynote Series: The Intersection of Wellness and Home Design
Furniture, Lighting & Decor editor in chief Diane Falvey interviews Clodagh, Charles Pavarini III, Michael Peterson and Lori Miller about the future of wellness.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15
The Well-Designed Home
In partnership with Summer Classics, Business of Home editor in chief Kaitlin Petersen sits down with Jamie Gold, author of Wellness by Design, to explore how design professionals can strengthen the link between home and health.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16
Keynote Series: The Future of Virtual Design Services
BOH’s Kaitlin Petersen talks to interior designer Nicole White about adapting a firm’s workflow for e-design, followed by a conversation between BOH podcast host Dennis Scully and Maiden Home founder Nidhi Kapur about the future of retail design services.
MONDAY, OCTOBER 19
Not Just a Pretty Chaise: Why Communicating Value Matters
In partnership with Universal Furniture, BOH’s Kaitlin Petersen leads a lively discussion with Arianne Bellizaire and Amy Mitchell about how they have tailored the language they use, both in person and online, to attract the right clients.
Keynote Series: Sustainability in Textiles
Edmund Ingle, CEO of Unifi—maker of a fiber derived from recycled plastic bottles—spotlights sustainability trends, the benefits of a circular economy, and brands that are making a difference.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24
Pinnacle Awards
In a virtual ceremony, the International Society of Furniture Designers announces the winners of this year’s Pinnacle Awards (the Oscars of the furniture industry), featuring 20 categories and a keynote address by designer Corey Damen Jenkins.
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 11
Style Spotters Live!
Three weeks after Fall Market, this year’s High Point Style Spotters gather to offer insights into the season’s leading looks and on-trend products.
Homepage image: High Point Market’s fleet of buses and vans will be expanded during Market to allow for social distancing | Courtesy of High Point Market Authority