Celebrating the extraordinary showroom presentations created by its exhibitors, the High Point Market launched a new Showroom Design and Merchandising Ideas competition at its Fall 2007 show.

Editors of leading home furnishings trade and consumer publications judged dozens of entries, selecting winners in each of five categories: Visual Appeal, Creativity, Elements and Principles of Design Presentation, Retail Application and Consumer Allure. Winners were recognized at a special gala event on Tuesday evening.

“For years, designers and retailers have known that the High Point Market is a great place to pick up fresh, new display and merchandising inspirations,” says Brian Casey, president and chief executive officer of the High Point Market Authority. “With this new competition, we wanted to show our guests the best of the best, placing special emphasis on design excellence and ideas that translate easily to the retail floor.”

Judges for the competition were selected from among the nation’s top home furnishings publications. From the consumer side, they included Sarah Gray Miller, editor-in-chief of O At Home; Catherine Lee Davis, associate editor at large from Veranda; and Good Housekeeping’s home editor, Laura Fenton. Representing the trade media were Ray Allegrezza, editor-in-chief for Furniture/Today; Sheila Long O’Mara, editor-in-chief, Home Furnishings Business; Warren Shoulberg, editor, HFN; Julie Smith, editorial director for Furniture Style; Trish Kemerly, editor, Home Furnishings Retailer; and Jim Carper, editor for Home Décor Buyer.

The awards were presented at a gala event sponsored by the Market Authority in the Century Courtyard at Market Square.

By category, this year’s winners were:

- Award of Merit: Visual Appeal, Bolier & Company, Christian Plasman, president;

- Award of Merit – Creativity: The Phillips Collection, Jason Phillips, head of product development;

- Award of Merit – Elements and Principles of Design Presentation: Shine Home, Russ Ortiz, president;

- Award of Merit – Retail Application: Powell & Company, Dedra Owen, director of showroom design;
- Award of Merit – Consumer Allure: Maitland-Smith, Minco Hinman, visual design manager

“Considering that this was the first year for the Showroom Display and Merchandising Ideas Competition, we were very pleased with both the number and quality of entries received,” relates Casey. “I’d like to thank everyone who participated and congratulate our winners on some truly exceptional displays.

“In addition to the awards, all competition entries will be featured in a special Merchandising Ideas Handbook to be published immediately following the Fall High Point Market,” relates Kimberley Wray, vice president of marketing and communications. “We encourage retailers to use these ideas when designing their showrooms for the coming season, and we invite all of our exhibitors to participate in our Fall 2008 competition, as we continue to share new and innovative ways to inspire consumers and sell home furnishings.”

About the High Point Market Authority:

The High Point Market Authority is the official sponsor of the High Point Market in High Point, North Carolina. Featuring an extensive selection of exhibitors spanning every category, style and price point and attracting tens of thousands of visitors from more than 110 countries twice each year, the High Point Market is the driving force of the home furnishings industry.