High Point — The International Home Furnishings Market Authority, the public-private partnership that oversees the High Point market, has made significant progress in its two-year history, the group's president says.
Judy Mendenhall cites a long list of accomplishments. The authority has focused much of its initial effort on transportation and parking improvements. But it also made changes that have led to better accommodations and upgraded communications, among other improvements, she said.
While more work remains to be done, she said the Market Authority wants to get the word out about its substantial achievements to date.
"There is no question that more communication and education are always needed," Mendenhall said. "There is no question the good things that have been done need to be out there for everyone to know about."
Here is Mendenhall's assessment of the progress made by the IHFMA since it began its efforts in August 2001.
Transportation and parking
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Increased hotel shuttle routes from 16 to 22 and added service to Kernersville, Archdale and Thomasville, in addition to High Point, Greensboro, Burlington and Winston-Salem. Increased hotel shuttle stops from 48 to 89. The shuttle system now serves more than 100 area hotels.
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Obtained North Carolina Department of Transportation funding through the state legislature to provide free shuttle service starting this market between the hotels and market, and the airport and market.
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Constructed additional free Park & Ride lots in south High Point. Added spaces to the free Park & Ride lot at Oak Hollow Mall. A total of more than 3,300 free parking spaces are now available, more than triple the previous number.
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Upgraded all equipment used for shuttle service. Both the hotel shuttles and the north Park & Ride route use motor coaches. The south Park & Ride route uses climate-controlled trolleys. The downtown showroom shuttles use modern transit buses, and all other shuttles use mini-buses.
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Added a second free downtown showroom shuttle to move people more quickly. This route only makes four stops: the North Hamilton area, the North Wrenn area, the Market Square/ South Elm Street area and the International Home Furnishings Center/Showplace area.
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Reworked the free downtown showroom shuttle to serve a larger area and more showrooms.
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Negotiated lower rates for shuttle service via the Airport Express between High Point and both the Raleigh/Durham and Charlotte airports. Also negotiated lower rates for shuttle service via the Airport Express between the Piedmont Triad International Airport and area hotels and the market.
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Continued free shuttle service to showrooms outside the Central Business District using upgraded equipment.
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Designed directional signs and designated areas on routes leading into the city for placement of the signs.
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Arranged for a canopy tent and benches in the Transportation Terminal area to provide shelter for the passenger waiting area.
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Began Park & Ride and downtown showroom shuttle service on the Monday before the Thursday official opening of market, at the suggestion of the board's Advisory Committee.
Accommodations
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Contracted for a Web-based software program to be designed specifically for the High Point market's use to serve as an online hotel referral/booking system. Marketgoers now may reserve hotel rooms on line through the Authority's Web site, www.highpointmarket.org.
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Listed more than 100 area hotels on the Web site, which has resulted in many hotels requiring shorter or no minimum night stays; most hotels now accept credit cards to reserve rooms rather than requiring full payment up front; rates have held steady and in some cases come down; and most hotels now offer a reduced rate for those who arrive on Sunday during market.
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Developed minimum standards for companies that handle private home rentals to be recommended by the Authority, and lists six companies on the Web site for attendees choosing to rent a private home.
Communications
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Redesigned the printed brochure to include more information in a more user-friendly layout.
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Redesigned the Web site to provide more information online. Basic information has been translated into seven languages. Hotel reservations and arrangements for transportation services may all be done online.
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Provides interpreters at the regional airport who can assist international attendees in any of seven languages.
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Placed large maps of downtown showrooms in strategic locations in the Central Business District.
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Makes copies of the showroom map available for distribution at hotels, information booths and showrooms.
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Staffs two information booths, one in the Transportation Terminal and one at the corner of Main and Commerce.
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Provides hosts on the downtown showroom shuttle route (the Blue Line) to announce upcoming stops and answer questions for passengers.
Miscellaneous
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Worked with the city, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms after 9/11 to develop a security plan for market. That plan is now implemented for each market.
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Will have the HOPE van available on South Wrenn Street, adjacent to the Radisson Hotel, during this month's market, with nurses and doctors from Cornerstone Health Care providing free medical assistance for marketgoers in need of care.
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Shortened market by a half day at the suggestion of the board's Advisory Committee.
Pending
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Seeking a Golden Leaf Foundation grant for marketing support.
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Seeking grants from the state's N.C. Moving Ahead and from federal transportation programs for Transportation Terminal improvements.
