Do you like the smell of new furniture?
Does it give you happy feelings whenever you’re around them?
Wouldn’t it be nice to hang out with other designers after exploring showrooms?
If you are an Interior Designer, whether you work for a firm, are self-employed, or are a student, it is important to attend furniture markets like High Point Market. This market is the largest in America, occurring twice a year in North Carolina. It took me about 15 years to get to High Point Market, but I see myself going every couple of years.
Las Vegas does its markets in winter and summer, High Point does theirs in spring and fall, while the Dallas market is in January, which is known for its lighting shows.
While attending all of them is unnecessary because things don’t change that much and it can add up too because you’re paying for flights, hotels, and food, I find myself going to one of these markets about once a year or whenever I have a specific vendor I’m after.
So if you’re on the fence about going to these markets, if you are curious about the activities and events that take place there, or if you want to know tips and tricks for making the most of your experience at the market, this episode is for you.
Why you’ve got to check out today’s episode
- Learn from my own High Point Market experience
- Discover the 7 reasons why you must go to the High Point Market
- Know ways you can prepare for High Point Market
Check out these episode highlights
3:27 – 7 reasons why you must go to the High Point Market
- To see high-quality furniture to select for your clients.
- To make a profit by not buying furniture from retail and offering it to your clients before they can sit on it.
- To inspect the furniture visibly, installing confidence in it since you will endorse it to your clients.
- To feel confident to say that you only put things in their house that you would want on your own.
- To maintain and nurture relationships with vendors.
- To have a more extensive selection compared to the Las Vegas Market.
- To get inspiration for your future projects and clients.
6:58 – 3 benefits of attending the parties
- There will often be a lot of free food – full lunch and open bars offering cocktails, wine, beer, and others depending on the showroom.
- You’ll be able to swap notes with other designers
- These parties also offer a place to rest, relax, and have a good time from all the walking.
7:56 – How they are starting to be student-friendly
8:20 – My first experience of going to a furniture market
11:05 – How to prepare for the High Point Market
1. Plan ahead. Without a plan, navigating the High Point Market can be difficult. Plan your route in advance to avoid wasting time wandering around showroom floors.
- Get advice from people who have been there.
- Borrow the spreadsheets your colleagues have created about previous markets.
- Make a list of vendors that interest you.
- Put the ones you want to revisit and the ones you want to see on the map. Group them to maximize your time.
- Remember that the High Point Market is spread out over many blocks of showrooms.
- Check out the Cool Girl’s Guide to the High Point Market. Anyone who does not have their own spreadsheet can borrow it.
- Check out the people you are interested in seeing and the guide to the showroom.
2. Look for deals. The High Point Market is a great place to find deals on furniture. Remember to check the showrooms of your favorite brands.
3. Don’t miss out on the events. There are tons of entertaining events at the High Point Market besides furniture shopping. Visit the schedule to see what’s going on.
4. Get social. It’s an excellent opportunity to network with vendors and designers. Visit the showrooms and attend social events. Why? There are a lot of parties hosted by different design celebrities. Some of them may speak or showcase their product lines.
5. Have fun! It can be overwhelming at first, but once you get used to it, it’s a really fun event. Get out and explore the city, too!
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