HIGH POINT MARKET AUTHORITY ANNOUNCES
DATE CHANGE FOR FALL MARKET 2016
HIGH
POINT, NC - The High Point Market Authority is announcing a date
change for the upcoming Fall 2016 High Point Market. In light of the Jewish
holiday Yom Kippur on Tuesday, October 11, and Wednesday, October 12, the Fall
2016 Market has been moved from the original dates of October 15 to 19, 2016, to
October 22 to 26, 2016.
The 2016 Market dates were originally chosen in 2007 and, as is protocol, were
reviewed and approved by clergy from the major religions. Since then, however,
Market trends and buyer activity has changed, pushing sales rep training to
earlier in the week leading up to Market, thus creating a conflict. Out of
respect for the Jewish calendar and those observing the holiday who travel to
and work Market, the decision was made to move the dates by a week. Dates
for the Fall 2015 Market remain unchanged, opening on Saturday, October 17, and
closing at 5 p.m. on Thursday, October 22. Market dates for 2016 will now be
April 16 to 20 in the Spring and October 22 to 26 in the Fall. 2017 Market dates
will be April 22 to 26 and October 14 to 18.
Board Votes
to Change Market Dates
The Executive Committee for the High Point Market Authority met recently and
voted to uphold the Board of Director's decision to change the official Market
dates. Beginning in Spring 2016, High Point Market will open on its regular day
of Saturday, but will close on Wednesday instead of Thursday.
Discussion on the subject began when the Executive Committee presented a
proposal to the Board of Directors during their April 2015 meeting. Their
recommendation was based on conversations with several retailers and exhibitors
in multi-tenant buildings. The Board unanimously approved the proposal, but it
was decided that the final decision would be postponed until a more
comprehensive survey of exhibitors could occur. Over 85% of exhibitors
responding to the one question survey agreed with the decision to eliminate
Thursday as the last day of Market.
"In recent years, we have noticed that attendance has been light on the Thursday
at the end of market week, and buyers coming to shop that day have been
frustrated by showrooms closing early. So the board decided it would best to
remove Thursday from the official schedule," said Doug Bassett, president of
Vaughan-Bassett Furniture and chairman of the Market Authority Board. "We also
recognize that the Friday before Market officially opens has become a
significant day for many buyers and vendors. While we are not changing Saturday
as the opening day, our literature will alert first-time attendees that they may
be able to see some vendors if they make an appointment on Friday, the day
before Market officially opens."
"These changes are our attempt to ensure that both buyers and vendors get the
most out of their valuable time in High Point during each Market," added
Bassett.
"As an exhibitor, I fully support this decision and see it as a positive thing,"
commented Jeff Scheffer, president of Universal Furniture and vice-chairman of
the Market Authority Board. "I think this is a way to take any negativity out of
the end of Market, giving us five really strong days."
"Scan data shows that few buyers attend Market on the final Thursday," said
Market Authority president Tom Conley. "The cost-savings from an operations
standpoint will be minimal, but we heard the call for this from both the buyers
and the exhibitors, so I'm glad the Board has listened and responded with an
informed decision."
The official hours of operation will remain the same each day, opening at 8 a.m.
and closing at 7 p.m.
The High Point Market Authority, is
the official sponsor and organizer of the High Point Market in High Point, N.C.
Featuring an extensive selection of exhibitors spanning every category, style,
and price point, and attracting tens of thousands of visitors from more than 100
countries twice each year.
10.14.15