Regional Officials To Visit High Point Market

Furniture World Magazine

More than 100 leaders representing the State of North Carolina and local governments at all levels from across the region are convening here on Sunday, April 6th, the eve of Spring Market 2008, to tour the world’s home for home furnishings. In addition to experiencing the High Point Market first-hand, the officials will explore the economic impact of the Market on the State and region. Among the distinguished guests will be U.S. Senator Elizabeth Dole, Congressman Mel Watt and Congressman Howard Coble, State Senators Katie Dorsett and Floyd McKissick, and more than one dozen members of the North Carolina House of Representatives. They will be joined by the Mayors of High Point, Greensboro, Thomasville and Kernersville, as well as City Council members, numerous area business leaders and media from across the Triad. The dignitaries will be welcomed to Market under the Stars Under the Stars tent at 3:30 p.m. by the Honorable Rebecca R. Smothers, and Brian D. Casey, president and chief executive officer of the High Point Market Authority. As part of the special event, a presentation exploring the Market’s broad economic impact will be made by Don Scarborough, vice president of High Point University. Those in attendance will also hear comments about the Market’s importance from Jack Kreber, fourth-generation owner of Kreber, a nationally recognized marketing, design and photography group based here, and Neil Marritt, principle of Greensboro-based advertising agency Emisare, Inc., both members of the region’s all-important creative class. “Based on a study conducted in 2005, it is estimated that the economic impact of the Market on the State of North Carolina and our region is approximately $1.2 billion in revenue,” Casey says. “To put this in perspective, the Super Bowl, an event which cities across the country aggressively compete to host, typically has an economic impact of approximately only $500 million. The Triad and the State have been quite fortunate in that we have been able to rely on the revenues generated by the High Point Market annually for nearly 100 years. It is vital that everyone recognize the benefits this precious asset and key differentiator affords us. “In fact,” Casey continues, “a High Point University (HPU) study conducted last year found that while we have indeed lost many factory jobs to overseas competition, a vital ‘creative class’ remains. There are a significant number of businesses related to the home furnishings industry—from refinishing firms to photography studios and advertising agencies, designers, contractors and more, as well as major distribution centers and corporate headquarters—that continue to call the Triad region, and the State of North Carolina, home. Indeed, the HPU study found that the home furnishings industry cluster contributes more than $8.2 billion to the region’s economy annually, and is responsible for more than 60,000 jobs. Simply put, a home furnishings industry cluster of this magnitude and significance exists nowhere else in the United States.” “The High Point Market is an asset we must all guard and treasure,” Smothers adds, “ and there is no better way to understand its importance than to personally experience the energy and vitality here. We are honored and excited to welcome our many guests from around the State. The response to our invitation has been truly unprecedented and we look forward to working more closely together to ensure a vibrant future.” About the High Point Market Authority: The High Point Market Authority is the official sponsor of the High Point Market in High Point, North Carolina. Featuring an extensive selection of exhibitors spanning every category, style and price point, encompassing some 12 million square feet of exhibit space, and attracting tens of thousands of visitors from more than 110 countries twice each year, the High Point Market is the driving force of the home furnishings industry. For additional information, visit www.highpointmarket.org.