Registration is now open for the 2019 Hospitality At Market program, now in its fourth year. Presented by the High Point Market Authority, in partnership with its media partner, InspireDesign, Hospitality At Market will take place on Sunday, Oct. 19, and Monday, Oct. 20, during the fall High Point Market.
Although High Point Market has long been known as a world-leading residential furnishings event, many High Point exhibitors have, for years, designated portions of their showroom space to displaying their hospitality products as well. Recognizing the depth of product available in this category, the Hospitality At Market program was created in 2016 as an annual event designed to recruit hospitality buyers – namely architects, designers, purchasing agents, management companies and hotel brands – to market and introduce them to the exhibitors offering furnishings and accessories in their category.
“Many of the exhibitors who show here in High Point are also major suppliers to the hospitality industry,” says Tom Conley, President and CEO of the High Point Market Authority. “Their presence at every other hospitality show is often limited to some sales representatives and maybe a few pieces of their lines. Here, they can take buyers through their flagship showrooms, some of which span tens of thousands of square feet. Guests can experience their suppliers’ full lines, all of their latest introductions, and their complete range of capabilities. Plus, they can meet with not just their reps, but with a supplier’s full executive team.”
“There simply is no substitute for actually experiencing the products you plan to specify,” says Gary Inman, Vice President of Hospitality for Baskervill, one of the top 15 firms working in the hospitality industry. “It’s the only way to get the proper sense of scale, feel how it sits, and fully assess the quality of workmanship. Once a year, you really should devote at least a couple of days to gaining this kind of in-depth product knowledge.”
“To date, we have 36 exhibitors signed up to participate and we are adding more every week,” added Conley. The full list of showrooms is continually being updated at www.highpointmarket.org/hospitality.
In addition to providing attending buyers with a directory of participating exhibitors, the two-day event will also feature educational and social programming. New this year, buyers will also have the opportunity to join a guided showroom tour led by hospitality industry leaders on both Sunday and Monday.
Tour guides include Celia Barrett of Barrett Design Studio, Blanche Garcia of B-garcia Designs, Stacy Garcia of Stacy Garcia Brands and Life-Styled.net, Gary Inman of Baskervill, Dr. Jane Nichols of High Point University, Teri Schell of Overlees Contract Resources, Toby Schermerhorn of Cauhaus Design, and Lynda Welte of Blueprints for GREEN Design.
Returning for its second year, International Market Centers will again host the Hospitality Design Studio on the top floor of the Suites at Market Square. Featuring an open, easy-to-shop format, the Studio includes product vignettes from leading hospitality brands who may or may not have a presence elsewhere around market. The space also features a lounge. Interested brands can learn more about participating in this space by contacting Beverly Royals at broyals@imcenters.com.
Admission to Hospitality At Market is free and open to all members of the hospitality and design trades. To register, interested buyers can complete an online request form at https://www.highpointmarket.org/hospitality or email hospitality@highpointmarket.org for more details. Registration requests can also be made via phone by calling Dan Davis at 336-869-1000.
