TBG to host former Tennessee coach at Tupelo Furniture Market

Clint Engel -- Furniture Today, January 17, 2012

HARRIMAN, Tenn. — Buying group TBG - The Buying Giant is inviting all shoppers at next month's Tupelo Furniture Market to stop by its space Feb. 16 and meet with former University of Tennessee men's basketball coach Bruce Pearl.

Pearl is vice president of marketing for H.T. Hackney, parent company of stationary and motion upholstery source H.Home, which is showing product in TBG's Tupelo space, No. 3000.

Pearl also will speak at a noon luncheon that day for TBG members and prospects in the meeting/dining area above the showroom, said Bethel Poston, executive director of the buying group.

The recently launched H.Home will produce stationary upholstery in Athens, Tenn., and home theater seating and other entertainment furniture at a new facility in Bean Station, Tenn.

"While talking with Grey (Hunsucker, vice president of sales), I knew H.Home would be a good fit for TBG Members," Poston said. "Merchandise is available for immediate pick up or shipment from H.Home warehouses within days, not weeks."

The company has warehouses in Knoxville, Bean Station, Athens and Covington, Tenn.; Paducah, Lexington and Louisville, Ky; Atlanta; Huntsville, Ala.; Newton, N.C.; Orangeburg, S.C.; Miami, Tampa and Milton, Fla.; Indianapolis; Columbus, Ohio; Lynchburg, Va.; and Grand Rapids, Mich.

Member-owned TBG has 79 retailer members with 88 stores in 13 states.

Other vendors showing product in the TBG space include American Made Silks, Best Sellers, Eagle, Elements, Hillsdale, Homelegance, Kidz World Med Lift, Powell and Sleep-Ezz Beds.

TBG's board will hold its semiannual dinner meeting on Feb. 15 at the Tupelo Country Club. Larry Stansell, TBG Chairman and owner of Stansell Furniture, Trion, Ga., will preside and review the group's vendor programs.

A membership dinner meeting will be held Feb. 16 in the ballroom of the Tupelo Country Club. After hearing about TBG vendor programs and normal business reports, members will share market experiences, plan group market visits, and discuss the group's direction.

Poston said TBG prospects are encouraged to attend the Thursday lunch or dinner meetings and can stop by the TBG space to make reservations.