Seasons of market provide reassurance
By David Perry, Executive editor -- Furniture Today, October 7, 2001
Next week I'm going to be attending the market in High Point. There isn't the slightest uncertainty about that decision. It isn't even a decision as much as it is a bond. Those of us in the home furnishings industry are inextricably interwoven into the very fabric of market in High Point.
Market is a seasonal, cyclical event for us. Twice each year, in the spring and fall, we gather together as an industry in High Point. We look at new products, talk about how to sell them, and who will sell them. We renew old friendships, make new ones, and celebrate the common bonds that we share. We eat together and party together and generally have a grand time ... or at least a good one. It is good to be with our friends and business partners.
We will do all those things next week. Of course, this won't be just another furniture market. It will be the first since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11. Some people are skittish about attending this market. I feel strongly that we should respect the travel decisions our friends in the industry make. But I also feel strongly that market is too big and too important to be overshadowed by world events.
The markets have survived world wars and regional wars and stock market crashes and all sorts of bad things. Like the seasons they are linked to, there is a comforting inevitableness to market.
I should tell you that I don't have to make any travel decision to attend market. I live in High Point. But I would feel safe flying to market. Air travel is returning to normal. Security has been stepped up. That's a good thing. Flying probably has never been safer than it is right now.
What about market security? It's been stepped up too. This is for our own protection. We will gladly put up with some inconveniences to make an already safe market even safer.
Personally, I've never felt unsafe at any High Point market. Yes, you should be careful about where you walk at night, and some parts of High Point are safer than others. But I've always felt High Point is a much safer place to live than in a big city somewhere. That's one of the reasons I like living here.
Another reason I like living here is market. It's fun to see downtown High Point spring to life as market approaches. It's fun to be part of all the excitement. Last market my wife picked me up one night near our downtown office. Our 13-year-old son was in the car with her. He was amazed at all the activity downtown; people were everywhere. "This is so cool," my son said. On this night, our city was a vibrant, exciting place to be.
My son is right. Market is cool. See you there.
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