Posts Tagged ‘nc’

PRE-MARKET SPONSORS EXPAND ON SUCCESSFUL

Tuesday, December 29th, 2009

High Point, North Carolina, As they work to expand on an already successful model, the sponsoring manufacturers of Pre-Market met here last week to set both their agenda for the coming year and the dates of the 2010 Pre-Market events: March 15-16, 2010 and September 13-14, 2010.

Guided by a group of leading furniture manufacturers, with the support of major multi-tenant buildings and the High Point Market Authority, Pre-Market has steadily gained traction throughout the past two years as an invaluable event that enables leading retailers to preview major product collections, secure distribution and strengthen relationships with key vendors and company principles.

 “In times like these, everybody has to work smarter and more efficiently, and Pre-Market affords manufacturers and retailers quality time to really connect. It’s a relaxed environment that encourages interaction between top-level executives that is quite unlike the frenetic, time-pressed interchanges of Market,” says Kevin O’Connor, chief executive of Samson Marketing, parent company of Legacy Classic and Universal Furniture. “Again and again, the retailers tell us that participating translates into a true competitive advantage.”

 “The emphasis on the ability to review ‘Market-ready’ product in advance of Market one month later is one of the critical elements making the Pre-Markets events so successful,” says Brian D. Casey, president and chief executive officer of the High Point Market Authority, and spokesperson for the Pre-Market manufacturers. “The breadth and depth of new product available here has always been a strength of the High Point Market, and the Pre-Market sponsors have demonstrated a major commitment to that end, which is why High Point performs so well in meeting the needs of the industry. And, the commitment is there for the long run.”  

2010 Pre-Market sponsors include American Drew/Lea Industries; A.R.T. Furniture, Inc.; Aspenhome; Bernhardt Furniture; Broyhill Furniture; Casana Furniture; England, Inc.; Hammary Furniture; Hekman; Homelegance, Inc.; Hooker Furniture; Kincaid Furniture; Leather Trend; Legacy Classic; Magnussen Furniture; Natuzzi; Palliser; Pulaski Furniture; Riverside Furniture; Samuel Lawrence Furniture; Schnadig International; Stanley Furniture; Universal Furniture; Vaughan-Bassett Furniture; 220 Elm; International Home Furnishings Center (IHFC); and Merchandise Mart Properties (MMPI).

Source: www.highpointmarket.org

www.HowardsFurnitureandDecoratratingCenter.com

CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF GREAT MARKET MOMENTS

Tuesday, December 29th, 2009

As the 100th anniversary of the High Point Market culminates here this week, the High Point Market Authority is harnessing the power of social media, a phenomenon unique to today’s Market-goers, to celebrate milestones in the Market’s history and memories of the past.

 “From industry-defining events to the personal triumphs of individual home furnishings professionals, our first 100 years have been filled with great accomplishments,” says Brian D. Casey, president and chief executive officer of the High Point Market Authority. “As we pass the Centennial milestone in our history, we are not only remembering the entrepreneurs and innovators who created and nurtured this remarkable institution, but also celebrating the great moments enjoyed by our Market guests over the years, in making the High Point Market the vital center of our industry.”

As part of the celebration, the High Point Market Authority is inviting all Market-goers to share their unique memories of Market over the years on the Centennial Celebration website, www.highpointmarket.org/centennial. “Each of our Market guests’ stories is an important part of our history and we think it’s very important to include them in our Centennial Celebration,” Casey says. “We’ve made it quick and easy for everyone to add their thoughts to the website, or link to existing content. Just click the Twitter icon or tweet your memory to @hpmktmemories, our Twitter account.”

The idea, according to the executive, is that the comments will yield a rich collection of memories that many Market-goers can relate to and inspire even more networking, communication, and yes, connections at Market. “Connect @ the world’s home for home furnishings is more than just a tagline,” Casey describes. “Situated at the center of the U.S. home furnishings industry, the High Point Market has been the key connecting point for retailers, manufacturers, consultants, furniture designers, interior decorators and everyone else who derives their livelihood from this business sector for decades. This is the one place where our entire industry meets, and as such, there is a tremendous sense of community here. Social media tools such as Twitter only increase that sense of community, and are quickly being adopted by home furnishings professionals throughout the industry.”

Casey also thinks it’s only fitting for Market to utilize a 21st Century tool to capture memories of the previous century. “When all is said and done this week, the most important aspect of our Market’s history will be the firm foundation that has been laid for the future,” he says. “Our goal for the next 100 years is for the Market is to remain as relevant to our constituents in the future as it was to those who traveled here a century ago.”

Source: www.highpointmarket.org

www.HowardsFurnitureandDecoratratingCenter.com

Copeland Furniture wins Sage environmental award

Thursday, December 3rd, 2009

Manufacturer honored at AHFA’s Sustainability Summit

GREENSBORO, N.C. — Case goods manufacturer Copeland Furniture was named Wednesday as the winner of the second annual Sage Award sponsored by the American Home Furnishings Alliance and Cargill BioH Polyols.

Copeland was recognized at the AHFA’s second Sustainability Summit, taking place here this week. The Sage Award recognizes excellence in home furnishings through sustainable business practices.

For several years, Copeland has made case goods using wood certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, which has helped it win Silver Exemplary Status from the Sustainable Furnishings Council, of which it is a founding member.

Copeland now has eight product groups that qualify for FSC certification. The company sources a majority of its wood within 500 miles of its plant in Vermont.

Also at the Summit, Bill Perdue, vice president of environmental affairs for the AHFA, said that Kincaid Furniture would win the organization’s Environmental Excellence Award.

He also said that the AHFA’s Environmental Leadership Award would be presented to Lewis Herman, corporate environmental and facilities engineer at Kincaid, a La-Z-Boy division. Herman is responsible for environmental compliance, oversight and environmental stewardship for La-Z-Boy’s case goods group.

Kincaid’s Sustainable by Design program was the first case goods operation to receive registration from the AHFA.

Hickory Chair was named the first Sage Award winner last year.

Source: www.furnituretoday.com

www.HowardsFurnitureandDecoratingCenter.com