High Point Market to host showroom contest

Display, merchandising ideas in spotlight

Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, September 21, 2009

HIGH POINT — High Point Market exhibitors can show off their showroom displays and merchandising ideas in the Third Annual High Point Market Showroom Display and Merchandising Ideas Competition.

The event is put on by the High Point Market Authority.

Buyers often use ideas they find in showrooms for their stores when they return home, Brian Casey, president and CEO of the Market Authority, said in a press release.

"The competition honors the extraordinary creativity and exchange of ideas that occur here, and with excellent exhibitor participation and positive feedback from buyers, it has become one of the most anticipated events each fall," Casey said.

The Market Authority has a special recognition this year that honors market guests' choice of showroom, its People's Choice Award. It is the first time the Market Authority is inviting guests to vote for their favorite showrooms.

The formal competition is judged by industry leaders with an eye for design, the authority said. Exhibitors can submit a photograph and brief description of their display via www.highpointmarket.org by 10 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 17, market's opening day, to put their showroom in the running.

Entries will be judged on the afternoon of Monday, Oct. 19, and the winner of the Best of Market Award will be announced at that evening's Stars Under the Stars event.

The competition has an online entry system that it allows exhibitors to submit entries in minutes, Casey said.

In addition to at-market recognition, the winning showroom will be featured in a press release to home furnishings trade and consumer publications, as well as on the High Point Market Web site.

Voting for the new People's Choice Award will be conducted via Twitter and text messaging. The winner of the People's Choice will be recognized Monday night, Oct. 19.

The Market Authority will have more information about the judging criteria, official competition rules and submission guidelines and its online entry form through the link www.highpointmarket.org/sc2009 over the next few weeks.