The Spring Edition of High Point Market 2015 starts today. If you’re in rush, with no specific idea of what you should do or see in High Point Market, we bring you here a Designer’s Guide Market. Here you will find the part I. The part II of the High Point Market Designer’s Guide will be released soon.
Planning your trip
High Point Market lasts six days, and although most buyers don’t stay the entire time, you do need to plan enough time to be productive.
“If I had to pick a minimum number of days, I would say three, but preferably four,” said Lisa Mende, principal and founder of Lisa Mende Design. “High Point can be daunting if one tries to pack too many things into a short period of time. It is better to have several well-planned days and work the plan.”
SEE ALSO: HIGH POINT MKT 2015, A VIEW THROUGH THE STYLE SPOTTERS WORK – COURTNEY LAKE
Michelle Jennings Wiebe, president of Studio M Interior Design, agrees. “Three days should give you enough time to visit showrooms and attend social events.” But for her own business, she stays the entire show. “I attend for seven days each Market now, and it is still not enough time to see everything! Most attendees can’t devote a full week, but whatever your number of days, I do recommend making showroom appointments grouped by areas. Otherwise, you will spend your entire time zig-zagging between showrooms!”
Seasoned Market-goers like Lisa Ferguson, principal designer and founder of Lisa Ferguson Design and StrengthsMentor, have their schedule down pat. “I plan appointments every hour with a two-hour window open every day for spontaneous conversations and to rejuvenate.” She makes the best use of her time by selecting social and educational events that are in the same building as her showroom appointments.
For a first-time visitor, appointments should be spaced further apart. “On average, a new designer will see approximately four to six showrooms a day if their Market trip is well planned,” said Mende.
Finding exhibitors
Wading through thousands of exhibitor listings to determine which ones work with designers can be a Herculean task. But there’s a better way to locate those helpful showrooms, and it’s surprisingly simple.
“Ask your designer peers on social media to private message you their proven favorites,” said Ferguson. “Or ask your favorite designer-friendly reps what other lines they show at High Point Market.”
Jennings Wiebe relies on peer recommendations and also uses some specific Market resources. “Check out the Preview Guides that Market sends out,” said Jennings Wiebe. “You can thumb through these books, and get a good idea from the ads of some designer-friendly vendors to check out. High Point Market also has a great Twitter Chat before Market, so tune into this, as all of these vendors will be designer friendly!”
The High Point Market website offers another easy way to find exhibitors who want to work with designers. In the Find Exhibitors section, simply search by “Designer Friendly” under “Options” to see only those showrooms that identified themselves as designer friendly.
Scheduling appointments
“You may not need an appointment for exhibitors in Interhall or Suites at Market Square, but for larger showrooms, an appointment is essential,” said Ferguson. She notes that many reps carry multiple lines, so you want to ensure they’ll be there to assist you.
Mende highly recommends appointments as well. “If an appointment is booked, there is a guaranteed time available to view the preferred lines,” said Mende. It’s a practice that benefits both the company and the designer. “Showrooms prefer appointments with first-time buyers for many reasons. It allows the company to explain their line, share new introductions, detail buying requirements and get to know the designer’s business.”
SEE ALSO: HIGH POINT MKT 2015, A VIEW THROUGH THE STYLE SPOTTERS WORK – PATTI JOHNSON
“If you don’t know your sales representative already, call the corporate office and ask for their contact information” said Comer Wear, marketing director for Century Furniture. “Each sales representative’s schedule is different, but to ensure an appointment time that works for your schedule, call at least a month before Market.”
“Smaller showrooms may not even have sales representatives, but may have a specific person in house who works with interior designers,” said Carol Gregg, owner of Red Egg, a home accent furniture company that works extensively with designers. “We usually get appointment requests a month prior to Market. Registered buyers have received their Preview Guides and they are working on their Market strategy at that time.”
With some advance research and planning, your time in High Point can be a smooth and efficient experience. Take the time to set a course for achievement and get the most out of your High Point Market investment — and to save your plan for easy access anytime, anywhere, be sure to use the MyMarket planning tool. When you arrive at Market knowing where you’re going and when you want to be there, you’re well on your way to success.
SEE ALSO: HIGH POINT MKT 2015, A VIEW THROUGH THE STYLE SPOTTERS WORK – JONATHAN LEGATE
Stay connected, in a very short time the part II of this Designer’s Guide for the Spring Edition of High Point Market 2015 will be available with the best tips to enjoy the design show at its fullest.
Source:: brabbu.com
High Point Market 2015: Designer’s Guide I
0 comments:
Post a Comment