High Point Market Authority Announces New MyMarket App for Spring Market 2016
Furniture World News Desk on
4/14/2016
The High Point Market Authority (HPMA) recently announced that it has released a new and completely customized MyMarket app, featuring indoor and outdoor mapping technology.
Utilizing GPS technology, the app features building to building blue dot navigation, allowing users to easily select an exhibitor and quickly map a route from their current location to the showroom’s address.
Additionally, the app features indoor mapping technology within the International Home Furnishings Center (IHFC), Market’s largest building, allowing users within the building to be guided step-by-step and floor-by-floor to their selected showroom.
The indoor mapping feature required the installation of approximately 950 beacons within IHFC, which were provided by technology partner indoo.rs, GmbH, of Vienna, Austria. These beacons communicate with the app via Bluetooth as opposed to relying on Internet access.
“Since the IHFC building is the largest property at Market and it presents some unique navigational challenges, we thought it was a wise choice for the introduction of this indoor mapping technology,” notes Tom Conley, president and CEO of the High Point Market Authority. “Several other buildings have shown interest in installing beacons, so we expect to add this feature to additional buildings in advance of Fall Market.”
Beyond mapping, the app also allows users to review the event calendar and search exhibitors by applying various filters, including category, style, price point, options, building and country. Both exhibitors and events can be added to a personalized plan by creating a MyMarket account, which is also accessible through Market’s website, www.highpointmarket.org.
“We wanted to allow users to create a personalized map of Market,” commented Neil Marritt, vice president and co-founder of the Market Authority’s marketing agency, Emisare. “High Point Market has grown organically since its inception in 1909, with more than 1800 exhibitors now occupying 180 buildings. The combination of easy to use exhibitor and event search features, which can then be saved to a personalized plan, with on the ground wayfinding empowers buyers to target and navigate preferred shopping destinations with efficiency and speed.”
Development of the app was spearheaded by Conley and Marritt and created by Charlotte-based company, Skookum. “Working with the High Point Market Authority on a groundbreaking mobile wayfinding solution was a great opportunity and challenge, due to the complex network of buildings and showrooms,” says James Hartsell, CEO and founder of Skookum. “Our solution guides Market guests to their desired destinations with the same experience many are familiar with from applications like Apple Maps.”
The app is currently available for download in the Apple Store, for use on iPads and iPhones during Spring Market, April 16-20.
You can download the app from your iPhone or iPad by visiting
the app store
More about the High Point Market Authority: The High Point Market Authority,
www.highpointmarket.org, 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, the High Point Market is the driving force of the home furnishings industry. Find the High Point Market anywhere online, and follow on social media using the hashtag #hpmkt.