Happy anniversary to Tupelo Market

August 13, 2012

In August of 1987, gasoline cost 90 cents a gallon, median household income was just under $30,000, the average price of a new house was $125,000 and Alan Greenspan had just assumed the title of chairman of the Federal Reserve.

On the west side of Tupelo, Miss., on a relatively small parcel of land, V.M. Cleveland assumed the title of owner and chairman of what was then an unproven new venue called the Tupelo Furniture Market.

Tupelo was and is in the heartland of promotional furniture, and upholstery in particular. Cleveland's vision was as direct and uncomplicated as the furniture being produced there: Make the Tupelo market the one-stop, must-shop event for what was then mostly domestically manufactured promotional furniture.

Admittedly, the buildings were far from fancy, but the tradeoff to exhibitors included reasonable rates, a cost-efficient model and good traffic both from smaller dealers and Top 100 power retailers as well.

Over the course of some 50 markets, Cleveland and his staff have also earned a reputation for true Southern hospitality, becoming famous for transporting retailers to and from market and for providing them with delicious country breakfasts and catfish dinners.

In fact, some might tell you that if there was any concern regarding the Tupelo Market, it was that, for a time, the venue may have strayed from its roots as a promotional venue.

Then, when the World Market Center opened in Las Vegas in 2005 with incredible energy and fanfare, some wondered if that might mean the end of the Tupelo market. Obviously, that wasn't the case. According to Tupelo organizers, this week's market has the potential to be the best-attended show in more than a decade. I've been told that permanent exhibit space is 97% taken, with temporary space close to 90% sold as well.

To its credit, the Tupelo market recently brought in Kevin Seddon as president. (See my Q&A with him on page 35). Seddon, who has a background in trade shows, publishing and marketing, has already made a difference in helping V.M Cleveland execute a strategy to solidify the Tupelo market as the preeminent home for value-priced furniture for the next 25 years and beyond.

Happy anniversary, V.M., and congratulations on your milestone!

Posted by Ray Allegrezza on August 13, 2012 | Comments (2)

Industries: Markets & Tradeshows

September 27, 2012

In response to: Happy anniversary to Tupelo Market
Mantan commented:

Whenever we visit Asheville, which is about an hour away from my home, we always make a point to eat at Tupelo Honey Cafe. It's hlsnetoy well worth the drive even if we don't do anything else in town. The food has always been spectacular, using fresh local ingredients, and the atmosphere in the restaurant is soothing and uplifting. I've tried to duplicate some of their recipes at home, coming close with my grit cakes. I was so excited when I heard they were publishing a cookbook and I pre-ordered it from Amazon. This cookbook has far exceeded my expectations! First, it's a beautiful cookbook just to look through. There are many color photographs of the local area, the restaurant, and of course the delicious meals. But the recipes oh my goodness! I love the salad they serve at the cafe and one simple but amazing component would be the sweet pickled onions. I assumed they purchased them, but now I know they make them and now I can, too! The salad dressings are far from ordinary. I've already tried the Pecan Vinaigrette and it's addictive! I'll soon try the Smoked Tomato Vinaigrette and will use their technique for oven smoking the tomatoes. I've used my stove top smoker to smoke tomatoes in the past, but their oven technique sounds like it makes more sense. The recipes in every section of this cookbook are just as amazing. You'll find southern classics with an upscale twist. Mac and Cheese Casserole with Goulda. Fried Green Tomato and Grilled Portobello Sandwich with Basil Roasted Red Pepper Mayonnaise. Chicken Apple Meat Loaf with Tarragon Tomato Gravy. You'll just faint when you see the recipe for Tomato Pie! And of course the day won't be complete without a slice of Chocolate Pecan Pie. This is my new favorite cookbook and I can't recommend it highly enough. The recipes make use of the freshest ingredients nothing fancy or hard to find and are easy to follow. You don't have to be a chef to prepare them. I'm having so much fun with it, and am giving a copy to Mom for Mothers Day!

September 24, 2012

In response to: Happy anniversary to Tupelo Market
Can commented:

Fill a spritzer bttloe with white vinegar and spray the furniture with this. Let dry. I don't think this will give the furniture a new smell , but it will make it have no smell at all. If you want a new smell , you might go to a car wash and buy a bttloe of new car smell .Good luck.-