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