The Introvert's Guide to High Point Market
- Nancy Lane
- Apr 14, 2021
- 12 min read
Updated: 6 days ago
I am literally fresh off the the plane from Las Vegas Market, y'all, and I am equal parts exhausted from walking miles and miles, and exhilarated from seeing my design buddies, new products, and feeling a little bit more normal after Covid and Snovid. Markets are trade-only events that designers can choose to visit throughout the year to meet reps, find new products, and literally open/close/touch and sit test SO MANY sofas and chairs and everything in between, and boy have I missed them since the shutdown last year.
I haven't been to the Las Vegas Market before this past weekend, and I was so grateful to have a change of scenery and to catch up with a bunch of my design besties and one designer's husband (Brian knows a TON from having been to numerous shows with his divine wife Madi). We had THE BEST TIME together. That may be my favorite tip of all...go with friends in the biz (it's A L O T to take in but more eyes to take in everything and point out things you might miss otherwise).
The photo above is a great shot LVMKT...it's so easily navigable, with a total of four buildings....we did it in two days total and while I loved it because it's smaller, I'm already planning my trip for the next HPMKT in June, and I thought I'd share the tips I've learned over the past few years on how to navigate High Point Market successfully, especially if you're an introvert like me and can't stand crowds or if you're a first timer.
For my first market trip years ago, I was planning to go with my design work wife April, but she couldn't go at the very last minute. In my introvert mind, I panicked at the thought of going by myself, thinking there was no way I could go alone to this huge multi-day event, never having gone before. But anyone who knows me in real life knows that I don't let fear stand in my way of ANYdamnTHING so I put my big girl boots on and decided nope, I've got this, let's do this...on my own!
Now that I've been back a few more times, I can say that I'm so grateful I had to go alone that first time because I made market work for me and my introvert personality all the way through. So if you're an introvert like me or making your first trip as an interior designer to High Point, here are my top tips for the entire event, from packing and prep before you leave home, to my best recommendation for tours, to what to wear and where to eat whilst there!
Decide on the length of your trip to High Point
HPMKT officially opens on Saturday morning and it usually lasts until Wednesday afternoon. (Friday before market opens is what you might call a soft opening, with some vendors open for business and others not). Check the schedule though because they've changed dates and show lengths due to COVID). Personally, as an introvert, I've found that by Tuesday afternoon I'm ready to head home, but it's up to you and how many vendors you'd like to visit, and your stamina, to be honest. I can handle the exercise part no problem but being around so many people for multiple days in a row is a very draining thing for me personally, so I keep that in mind when I'm planning my trip.
Make your dream list of vendors and plan your days accordingly
Who do you really need to see? My advice: Make a list beforehand. I repeat do not wait until you go to decide where you want to go. Get the lay of the land and plan ahead so that you don't go home disappointed that you couldn't check out a specific vendor. Make your list for your top 10 or so vendors that you want to check out, plan your first two days around those. Staying longer? Anything extra is bonus in my opinion! I've been to HPMKT numerous times and I still have yet to see it all.
That said, if you do arrive in HP with no plan at all, you might consider hopping on both the Red Line and Green Line shuttle buses and taking them around at least once on their whole route. The shuttles usually have an attendant on each bus that will call out the names of the major showrooms on each stop and that can be quite helpful for you to get acquainted and get your bearings. Fun tip: If you're on the red line definitely check out one of my favorite vendors red egg furniture (red shuttle stop 29 if they haven't changed it) and tell Carol I sent you! Points if you end up on her fabulous instagram reels bustin' a move.
When you register for HPMKT, you can download their market app and see maps of all buildings and various other vendors throughout the city. I highly suggest saving your favorites on the app, and then cross referencing your must see list versus the shuttle routes to see how you can cover all of your must-visit vendors in those first two days. That way you are visiting with the most energy you'll have, and with a little pre-planning you'll hopefully get to see showrooms you absolutely need to see more efficiently, so everything after that is gravy.
I personally am a planning fool and have a spreadsheet that would tickle Bill Gates' toes. I have it broken down by building, shuttle bus route, and also alphabetically. #NerdandIdontcarewhoknowsit
Bonus Tip: Like I said earlier, I've been to HPMKT so many times and feel like I have barely even scratched the surface and since you already know by now that I'm a list maker, I would suggest writing down the names of vendors or buildings that you pass by on your way to appointments or venues so that as you are planning future trips you can refer to said list. No pen on you? Email or text yourself or put it in your notes folder on your phone, just do it because I know you'll be glad you did. You'll also meet new people or designers you know while you're in town and invariably the conversations will lend themselves to tips about new to you vendors you should check out. Even if you can't see them this trip, there's always the next!
{UPDATE} These days when I attend HPMKT, I have my list of must sees (vendors I currently work with) and a second list of vendors that are new to me that I want to check out for the first time. Either way, I highly suggest you make appointments prior to leaving for HP with vendors that you want to do a deep dive i.e. meet the rep, tour the showroom, and develop or maintain business relationships with as these take time. Not every showroom requires appointments but some do so plan accordingly. (Verellen is one that comes to mind for required appointments.) Also, I'm gonna throw this out there: respect sales reps time. If you have an appointment set and get stuck somewhere for whatever reason, send a message to your rep and let them know so they can pivot their own plans accordingly.
Take advantage of the HPMKT travel concierge
Since I didn't know the area the first time around , I thankfully took advantage of the travel concierge option provided once you register for High Point Market. I knew I wouldn't be going out to dinner much by myself, so I requested a hotel that provided room service, and proximity to restaurants that I could walk to since I wasn't renting a car. They were so accommodating and a pleasure to work with!
They also have free shuttle buses specifically for Market registrants at the three surrounding airports, so if you want to save money on a car rental, make a reservation for the shuttles through your market app or the travel concierge if you plan your trip with their help. The airport shuttle will drive you from the airport to the main shuttle station in High Point. From there you can catch a hotel shuttle (assuming your hotel is on the shuttle route...again, check the website or app) back and forth to market in the morning and evening. Shuttles run on a schedule so plan your day accordingly.
Wear what you would wear in front of a client, with extra cushy shoes.
I made the mistake of wearing a suit for my first market after looking at photos online, without realizing most of the people in the photos were the showroom reps. I suggest wearing an outfit you would be comfortable wearing to a client meeting, and bring two different pairs of comfortable shoes you would be fine walking multiple miles in, because, fun fact, you will. I alternate shoes every other day. Some bring a separate pair to change into in the afternoon because there are usually showroom after-parties and dancing! I personally like to wear nice jeans (see my favorite brand below that feels like butter and have a little ab support control sewn in...they are magic) and a cute top with slip on loafer sneakers. People do dress up to the nines and wear heels while some people think it's a beach trip but here's how I see it: you be you. As for me, comfort is key in clothes and shoes but keep it classy. Key tip: comfortable shoes. Don't say I didn't warn you.
The weather can be unpredictable, so bring a waterproof jacket and maybe a mini umbrella that you can bring in your bag, just in case you're caught out in the city in a rainstorm. Otherwise, I have a small bag that can hold my phone, wallet, business cards, lipstick, and a collapsible tote bag to use for any catalogs or other takeaways from the showrooms. People do bring large totes and roller bags but I think those are big pains...it's up to you though. You can always ask showroom reps to mail you catalogs rather than schlepping them back on the plane or in your suitcase with you. Remember less is more when you're walking ten plus miles a day. (Yep, at least we do on our HPMKT trips.)
Start top down in big buildings
I remember my first trip to HPMKT, I set aside one whole day for larger buildings like the IHFC and I'm so glad I did...I learned a lot about navigating larger buildings as a person who is not a fan of crowds and who likes to get as much done as possible in a day, ha. I liken the IHFC to the train station at Disney World in a way as it- it is the main building right outside the transportation hub where all shuttles start their routes. It's also one of the tallest buildings of vendors at 16 floors. Most people start at the first floor and work their way up or so it seems. My biggest tip for this building and other multi-story buildings with multiple vendors throughout - start on the top floor and work your way down and out the building and onto your next stops!
Most showrooms open by 8am as well, so being an early bird always works in my favor! Personally I like to jump on the elevator just once before it starts getting crowded, head to the highest floor I want to visit and then make my way downstairs via the stairs or escalator to each floor below. Total game changer - I do this every year and I never regret it. Again, because I map stuff out beforehand I know there are certain floors I can personally pass over altogether depending on our scheduled appointments or the vendors on my must see list.
{UPDATE} If you ever find yourself lost in the bigger buildings around HP, I've found it most helpful to reorient myself with the building maps they have posted on every floor. You can also get walking directions through the HPMKT app on your phone from showroom to showroom. Bottom line: never be afraid to ask for directions y'all.
Starting early and working top floor down and out will win every time in my humble opinion as an introvert.
Sign up for a High Point Market Insider Tour
High Point, as an institution, wants to encourage new designers to visit every year, so they coordinate with bloggers and designers in the industry to offer tours for new designers that have never been to High Point or haven't been in a few years and who want to reacquaint themselves.
I was lucky enough to land a spot on the Insiders Tour with Jeanne Chung during my first visit, and she was an amazing mentor pointing out different things to watch for and questions to ask of the vendors. I highly, highly recommend signing up for one of these free tours. It was comforting to know other people who were by themselves and first timers in this whole process.
I know there are some other tours hosted by designers/industry people that have been monetized to show people the ropes as well but I personally found the Insider Tour to be exactly what I needed as a first timer. Again, you do you.
Catalog your finds in your phone
Take a picture of the showroom sign before you walk in, so the subsequent photos are associated with the right vendor. Trust me, you'll think you'll remember, but when you're looking through photos for a project 5 months from now, you'll be glad you took that sign photo. At the end of the day on the shuttle bus back to the hotel, I use that travel time to decompress but also to review photos. I delete duplicates or bad photos, then move the remaining into folders with the vendor name and date as the title of the folder (for example: Verellen Fall 2022) and any notes I want to remember.
Save the number for the Go Anywhere Shuttle into your phone
This Go Anywhere shuttle is amazing because they'll come get you wherever you are if you call. They can also take you to other vendors that aren't stops along the Red or Green shuttle routes. NOTE: There is a limit on the radius around High Point Proper...last time I checked I think it was a ten mile radius or so...but just call and give your current location and your desired destination and they'll let you know if its outside the boundary for them. Bonus: All the shuttle drivers are lovely and its a highlight on every trip getting to meet locals from the area. We've gotten some great restaurant recommendations from drivers we've met along the way.
If you get caught in bad weather, this is also a great alternative if you miss one of the shuttles. There are shuttle maps at the information hut just outside the IHFC and they'll be passing out info flyers as well when you hop on and off your airport or hotel shuttle or just ask.
Take breaks in between vendors
Designer Tip: Take your charging cords and a battery back up pack too...you'll need it.
There are recharge stations all around in IHFC and other bigger buildings like Showplace - so take a few minutes to sit down, rest your feet, plug your phone in to charge, and just chillax to recharge your own energy. Having to be 'on' with all of these vendors completely depletes my energy, so these breaks are non-negotiable for me.
Bonus Tip: Wi-Fi reception inside of buildings can be uncooperative sometimes so I will actually put my phone on airplane mode to preserve battery life.
You will find food throughout market at many showrooms
Before my first trip I remember wondering about food as in where to eat while there. Bottom line. Don't worry about eating or where to eat I should say - many showrooms provide free food throughout market. A few weeks prior to market you'll probably get sneak peek invitations from vendors regarding free breakfast or lunch programs so pay attention to those as well.
The outdoor area between IHFC and Showplace buildings also host food trucks (these you do have to pay for) for coffee, breakfast, and lunch plus they have live music at night and socializing (again this may be impacted by covid so plan ahead). There also paid kiosks in some buildings for you to grab breakfast or lunch items or coffee and snacks on the go as well.
On my first trip and again after the pandemic I took a couple of prepackaged snack items with me from home since I wasn't sure what to expect but I assure you I've never had an issue finding sustenance while at market ;)
I will say that Universal Furniture is my food go-to - they have a great dining room setup and delicious catering every time I go. Their showroom is on the Red shuttle bus route but is also walkable from the IHFC. Note you do have to make an appointment to tour their showroom with your rep so we always plan to eat first, making that appointment for first thing in the morning on one of our market days. Also note their showroom plays host to some great industry talks in their meeting rooms so pay attention to the signs in their lobby for sign up information or on their social channels.
I have to say that going to any market for the first time, especially High Point Market, reminds me of the early days of first time parenthood when you bring your new baby home and you have no idea what you're doing. So be sure and do your due diligence by reading and doing research. Ask questions to those who have been before you, eat when you can, rest when you can but keep moving forward, it will be worth it in the end and you'll be glad you made the effort.
Want more HPMKT tips? Check out these Essential High Point Market Tips for Designers
and have a look below for some of my go-to supplies for High Point, and if you have any questions as a designer who has never been to market before, don't hesitate to message me on IG or leave a comment below. Hoping to maybe see you there next market! I'll be there with bells on!