High Point Market Hotel Deals For Mid-Week Arrivals

Furniture World Magazine

With Spring High Point Market just one month away, Triad-area hoteliers report that reservations have been brisk for Market week. Indeed, they are urging those who have yet to finalize their Market travel plans to consider the benefits of a mid-week visit. While procrastinators may find rooms difficult to come by at Market’s start, “There are still good hotel deals to be had,” says the High Point Market Authority’s Dawn Smith, who oversees travel arrangements for Market attendees. “Many area hotels are trying to accommodate the various needs of Market attendees and some are offering reduced rates for buyers coming in later in the week. Budget-conscious attendees in search of last-minute deals can benefit from the addition of these special, mid-week room promotions, but the key to securing these special room rates is to book your travel through the Market Authority.” According to Smith, hotel fares in High Point and nearby cities range from $89.00 to under $160 for visitors who are willing to try a shorter stay during the latter days of Market. Additionally, a number of hotels within a 20-minute drive offer rates as low as $99 throughout Market and are all served by the free Market transportation service. “Triad hotels continue to partner with the Market Authority to ensure a quality experience for all guests of the Furniture Market and special programs specifically designed for the latter part of Market week provide incentives to those smaller companies that might otherwise be unable to attend,” relates Chris Adams, general manager of the Ashford Suites Hotel in High Point. “The area hotels remain committed to providing enhanced services and amenities to illustrate the importance of this event to everyone.” Pamela Vargas, director of sales for the Greensboro Marriott Downtown, and chairperson of the High Point Market Authority Hotel Task Force, agrees. “Our focus is to ensure the folks here for Market have a great hotel experience and return again and again,” she says. “We appreciate the partnership with the Market and value the business.” Last year, the High Point Market schedule was condensed to a week-long event beginning on a Monday and lasting through Sunday. “The shorter Market allows smaller independent dealers and designers to source great products without the price tag visitors came to expect when the show ran for nearly two weeks,” Casey says. “When the Market was longer, the mindset was that you had to be here at the beginning,” he continues. “But the pace and rhythm of Market are changing and now all seven days are active. Additionally, big events used to be front-loaded at the start of Market week, but that’s not true anymore. This Market, attendees can get their work done, learn something new, and be entertained on Friday just as thoroughly as they would be on Monday.” The nightly “Stars Under The Stars” event series, for example, kicks off with rock duo Hall & Oates at Market’s start. But with Eddie Money performing on Wednesday evening and Morris Day and the Time on Friday, retailers and designers can make the most of their “down time” throughout the week. They can even enjoy a free, full dinner service on Saturday evening courtesy of the Market Authority. Beyond taking advantage of mid-week travel promotions and a full week of scheduled events, the Authority has a number of suggestions to help attendees make the most of Market. Among these: Save money and time. Don’t rent a car. The Market Authority has a free, comprehensive, ongoing transportation service to move market-goers around High Point efficiently and get to hotels and the airport quickly. Make a plan. To make your visit as effective as possible, try the exclusive online Market Planner at www.highpointmarket.org/marketplanner.aspx. The Market Planner allows users to select and map desired exhibitor and event locations and includes shuttle times, routes and numbers for traveling to those locations. Users can search and map their routes by company name, showroom building or category of merchandise. Additionally, the Planner gives the option of creating a PDF for each map, which enables users to save their maps or email them to additional recipients. Book time with a Market Scout. This new, free service gives buyers a trained “scout” to help them more easily navigate the Market. Plus, another set of eyes are ideal for identifying new sources. “You can get a lot accomplished in several days at High Point,” says Casey. “Come in on Wednesday or Thursday and take advantage of the new services that simplify the logistics of Market, as well as special mid-week accommodations promotions. You’ll leave with products and ideas you can’t get anywhere else.” For assistance with booking hotels and making other travel arrangements for Spring Market, contact Dawn Smith (336) 869-1000 ext. 231 or visit the High Point Market Authority website: www.highpointmarket.org. About the High Point Market Authority: The High Point Market Authority is the official sponsor of the International Home Furnishings Market, in High Point, North Carolina. Featuring more than 2600 exhibitors and attracting tens of thousands of visitors from more than 110 countries, the High Point Market is the driving force of the home furnishings industry.