Catrina Maxwell, founder of CatMax Photography

Offering 12 million feet of showroom space, High Point Furniture Market is the world’s largest furnishings trade show. Many of my clients and friends love attending to see, feel, and explore products and learn about trend and style predictions. They can also network with fellow professionals from around the U.S. and over 100 countries. On top of all that, the seminars and panel discussions like “Fluent in Construction: BTS with Interior Designers Influencing the Construction Choices That Shape Their Interiors” and “AI Essentials 101: Growing Your Design Business” along with cocktail hours, concerts, and other events also make Market a must-attend gathering.

After hearing so much about Market, I finally got to go this fall. It was as exciting and inspiring as everyone says and a fantastic way to make connections. I also learned a lot about navigating the jampacked multiday experience. Here are my suggestions for planning your first trip to Market to get the most out of your visit.

When to Go

Both sessions of Market — fall and spring — are popular. For many people, when they go comes down to which session works better for their schedule. If one year doesn’t work for you, you can always plan for another since the Market schedule for the next three years is posted online. It’s important to note that Market is only open to members of the home furnishings industry, not the public.

How Far in Advance to Plan

Doug with JDouglas
Image Credit: CatMax Photography

Online registration opens two to three months before each Market. Once you’ve secured your pass, you’ll want to book your hotel/home rental as soon as possible since the best options fill up quickly and figure out how you’ll get to Market. Because there’s so much to see and do, allot more days than you think you’ll need when planning your stay.

High Point, North Carolina, is about a 5-hour drive from Atlanta or around 1-hour flight when flying into the Piedmont Triad International Airport (GSO) in Greensboro or Raleigh-Durham (RDU) and Charlotte-Douglas (CLT) airports. I opted to drive, but if you choose to fly, you can use the Market’s free airport shuttle to go between the airport and Market (where you can check your luggage), saving you the trouble of renting a car for the 30-minute to 1.5-hour drive.

Where to Stay

The best way to choose a hotel is to browse the hotel listings on the High Point Market website. These nearly 100 hotel partners will have complimentary shuttles to and from Market, which are incredibly convenient since parking around Market is limited. You can stay in the city of High Point or the nearby areas of Greensboro, Winston-Salem, Archdale, or Kernersville. Archdale is the closest and only a 10-minute drive from High Point, while the other cities are about 20 minutes away. Home rentals are another accommodation option and perfect for groups or if you’re looking to avoid the hustle and bustle of a hotel.

If you want help booking your sleeping arrangements or other trip details, the Market works with a concierge service.

More Tips for Planning

Thibaut Showroom. Image Credit: CatMax Photography

After getting your Market pass and travel arrangements in place, I highly suggest researching what you want to see and do ahead of time as much as possible.

Downloading the High Point Market App (available for iOS, Android, and even desktop computers), ahead of your trip will make planning far easier. In the app, you can browse the exhibitor directory and look up information like building location and social media handles for showrooms you want to visit and add your favorites to your custom MyMarket plan. Save even more time by applying different filter criteria to your searches in the exhibitor directory. It’s also a good idea to contact showrooms to set appointments with them and to group your appointments by neighborhood. You can see every event happening and add events to your MyMarket plan as well.

Tour with Kandrac & Kole.
Image Credit: CatMax Photography

You might also want to consider a tour. Two organized by the High Point Market Authority are Insiders Tours and Hot Spot Tours. Insiders Tours are designed for Market newbies and are a great way to get to know Market and see showrooms. Multiple full-day and half-day Insiders Tours are available and led by pros like designers (and my friends) Joann Kandrac and Kelly Kole of Kandrac & Kole. Open to all buyers are Hot Spot Tours, which are product-category specific and feature Market style experts and their favorite showrooms. You can learn more about and register for Market Authority organized tours online.

What Else to Expect

Along with showrooms to peruse and educational opportunities to enjoy, Market offers plenty of events for fun and mingling. While there, you’ll receive a reminder email each morning detailing the activities available that day.

When you need a breather from everything, visit the Center Stage area for outdoor games and space to connect and relax. It’s also the place to be on Saturday and Sunday nights when the seasonal headliners perform and complimentary drinks and light bites are provided. This past fall Bell Biv DeVoe (BBD) of “Poison” fame and Funk You were the stars.

Speaking of music, some showrooms really amp up the good times with additions like a live DJ. It’s common for them to provide free food and beverages, too. You can also get meals from food trucks and other dining locations throughout Market.

How to Get Around

As I mentioned, parking around Market is scarce, so the best way to get to and from it is to take a shuttle from a partner hotel.

Market itself is massive. Navigating the downtown showroom district categorized into 7 neighborhoods spanning 13 city blocks can be tricky. Luckily, through the app, you can access a Market map and get step-by-step directions to showrooms and events. If you get turned around, you can visit an information booth or swing by The Point to strategize with a Market advisor.

Hoofing it on foot isn’t the only way to get around. The Market’s Downtown and Go-Anywhere shuttle services can take you all around and even slightly outside of Market. Rideshare services are also an option, and taxis hang out around Market, too.

What to Bring

Besides typical work travel essentials like business cards, there are some things to bring to make your days at Market easier.

An empty backpack is a great way to store all the samples and other goodies you’re given. Complimentary totes are usually available, but those can get heavy, and carrying them on one side can strain your shoulder.

Stashing a portable charger in your backpack or purse will ensure your phone has plenty of power for using the Market app and taking photos, videos, and notes with your phone for hours each day. If you happen to forget your power bank at home, you can borrow one for the day from any of the information booths, and there are charging stations available around Market.

A bottle of water is another important item to have. The days can get long and busy, and you’ll want to stay hydrated through them all.

Finally, good walking shoes should be part of your Market wardrobe. It’s easy to put in 10,000-plus steps a day while there. You’ll see lots of people pairing comfortable kicks with dressier outfits, so don’t feel like you need to choose style over comfort.

For many, going to High Point Market isn’t a one-time event. It becomes an experience they want to have again. Hopefully, this guide helps you make the most of your first time and even feel like a long-time attendee.