International Market Centers (IMC) has announced its plans for Fall 2020 High Point Market, including a commitment to present both showroom and temporary resources, enhanced safety protocols for its downtown High Point properties, and an all-virtual format for its Fall Market seminars. The Fall 2020 High Point Market will run October 13 to 21.
“High Point Market plays a crucial role in our industry’s continued recovery and we’re thrilled that our properties will contribute to those efforts,” states Bob Maricich, IMC CEO. “Although out of an abundance of caution, we elected to suspend temporary exhibits at our gift and home markets in Las Vegas and Atlanta, we are confident that the efficacy of our safety protocols will allow us to open both permanent showrooms and temporary exhibits in High Point this October.”
Among IMC’s 17 High Point buildings are three temporary exhibit destinations: Suites at Market Square (SAMS), International Home Furnishings Center’s (IHFC) signature InterHall and Plaza Suites – ground floor. To date, more than 40 tenants have confirmed they’ll be showing in InterHall, including Bungalow 5, Regina Andrew Design, Ryan Studio and Worlds Away. Another 150+ are confirmed in SAMS including Boda Acrylic; Jo-Liza International; Oldnewrug; Revelation Culture; Rock Run Cabinetry; Sorella Glenn; Stanton Gray; and Sylvester Alexander.
IMC’s programming will be presented through digital market channels before and during market. Pre-market educational webinar topics include High Point Market’s signature TrendWatch program and a Virtual Showhouse as well as programs addressing business practices during and after the COVID-19 crisis, consumer preferences, diversity, and current market trends. Highlights also include showroom and temporary exhibitor videos and an Instagram Takeover by industry influencers. A full schedule of virtual programming is available at http://www.imchighpointmarket.com/webinars-and-events.
Other digital tools, such as Catalog Connexion powered by IMC_di, (IMC’s Digital Innovations division), a keyword-searchable catalog library, enable product discovery. First introduced during IMC’s High Point Virtual Market in June, this simple, fast, visual and product-driven system allows suppliers to leverage their existing catalog assets and enables buyers to source across brands by keyword. Catalog Connexion is available at https://imc.activemerchandiser.com/SearchCatalogs.
All IMC buildings will follow IMC’s Together Safely protocols including the required use of personal protective equipment (PPE), temporal monitoring, social distancing, occupancy control, hand sanitizing/cleansing, and significantly enhanced housekeeping. Additionally, elevators will have capacity limits, stickers on the exhibit floor will indicate social distancing and showrooms will be given capacity limits. To read the full Together Safely plan, go to www.TogetherSafely.com.
