The High Point Market Authority (HPMA) today announced a robust lineup of personalities and programming for its newest space, The Point, for fall market, Oct. 13 – 17.
Located on Commerce Ave., between S. Main and Wrenn Streets, The Point debuted in April during spring market as the first freestanding, High Point Market-branded venue conceived to enhance the buyer experience.
“We created this space after feedback indicated that networking, education and, of course, new products are top factors in a buyer’s decision to attend market,” commented Tom Conley, HPMA President and CEO. “It was exceptionally well received during its debut in the spring and we anticipate that to only increase as more attendees visit The Point to learn and make valuable connections.”
The Point is open daily to all market attendees with a valid fall market pass. Hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday, Oct. 12, and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 13 through Tuesday, Oct. 16. During the hours of operation, a team of Market Advisors will be on hand to offer one-on-one consultations to attendees in need of information or support. Market-goers are encouraged to drop in throughout market for specific events or to utilize the lounge area.
The schedule of events and programming changes daily. The full listing of programs and events for The Point is located in the Events section of the High Point Market website and at www.highpointmarket.org/the-point.
On Friday, programming begins at noon with four back-to-back live podcast interviews from industry-focused channels Business of Design with host Kimberley Seldon, The Chaise Lounge with host Nick May, Design Between the Lines with host John Conrad and A Well-Designed Business with host LuAnn Nigara.
Saturday through Tuesday, programming will begin each morning at 10 a.m. with roundtable discussions focused on industry-relevant topics by well-known experts. A second roundtable will occur each day at 2 p.m.
From 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. each day, the Parson’s Table will offer a pop-up version of their homemade lunch service, coinciding with the Lunch Bunch schedule, offering the opportunity to enjoy lunch with well-known market faces such as Bill McLoughlin, Susan Dickenson and Jerry Epperson, among others.
The afternoons will feature a mix of programming including celebrity meet and greet events with Kathy Ireland and Erin and Ben Napier, an interactive crafting hour with The Trim Queen and even a visit from friendly therapy dogs via Crypton’s Pooch Pop-Up. The hashtag printer and photo wall will also return, offering attendees the opportunity to take home with them a branded market memory by posting to Instagram or Twitter with the hashtag #HPMKTmemory.
Evening offerings will expand this cycle with the addition of After Hours at The Point, featuring craft beer and wine from local brewery, Brown Truck Brewery, and local food trucks Friday through Monday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. This will run concurrently with industry mixers hosted by the Black Interior Designers Network, the Interior Design Society, the Design Influencers Conference and a lifestyle magazine launch party with Live Free magazine.
The interior space for The Point was developed in collaboration with celebrated design firm Barbour Spangle Design Group. Lighting, furnishings and decorative products to be used in The Point were donated by Buzzi Space, Raffel Systems, Southern Furniture and Zuo Modern.
