— Furniture Today,
HIGH POINT — The High Point Market Authority is developing a new market directory aimed at first-time visitors, small retailers and interior designers.


The directory, which will be distributed at the fall market, will feature a variety of color-coded designations that, for example, indicate whether an exhibitor has a minimum order requirement or a U.S. warehouse.

“Our goal for this new directory is to help first-time visitors, small independents and interior designers quickly identify the showrooms where they will be most welcome,” said Market Authority President Brian Casey. “With 12 million square feet of showroom space, we know that the sheer size of market can be daunting for many attendees.”

Casey said the directory won’t contain advertising, and will be small enough to fit in a breast pocket, purse or briefcase. Exhibitors will be listed alphabetically and by product category.

He said exhibitors won’t be charged for listings, and he urged them to respond quickly to the Market Authority’s request for directory information.

The publication isn’t designed to replace the spiral-bound Resource Guide and accompanying Pocket Guide that have been published for many years by the International Home Furnishings Center, the market’s largest showroom complex.

“It should not detract in any way from what we do,” said IHFC president Tom Lindh.