Twice a year, the design community descends on the otherwise-quiet southern city of High Point, North Carolina for one of the largest furnishings industry trade shows in the world. Bringing together retailers, designers, manufacturers, and industry professionals from over 100 countries, 75,000 attendees get the chance to explore more than 2,000 exhibitors spread across a staggering 11.5 million square feet of show space.

This year’s spring High Point Market (HPMKT) will be held April 13 – 17. Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned pro, here’s what you need to know both before and during the market. These helpful tips will not only streamline the planning process, but will help you maximize your time previewing the latest furniture and interior design trends, getting a first look at hotly-anticipated product launches, rubbing elbows with industry icons, and growing your own design community at High Point this spring.

Before You Go

Get Registered

First things first: get registered early. Yes, you can wait until you get to High Point to register onsite at several locations…but that wastes precious time that you could be exploring and networking, and will cost you more in fees.

Register online by March 29th to ensure you’ll get your pass in the mail prior to market (March 15 if you’re outside of the U.S.).

But if you miss that deadline, don’t worry: you can also register online up until early April and get a QR code to show at the event, or get a pass onsite with an additional fee of $30. (For more info about registration, visit HPMKT’s FAQ page.)

Book Your Hotel Early

Many of the designers and exhibitors flocking to High Point book their hotels as soon as the market dates are announced. So if you’re looking to book late in the game, you probably won’t have your pick of the closest and most in-demand options. But there are several communities like Greensboro, Winston Salem, and Thomasville that are within a 30- to 45-minute drive, for a total of 90 hotels that serve HPMKT visitors.

You may also want to expand your search by looking for Airbnb and other home rentals.

Call on Your Concierge

Whether it’s your first trip to High Point or you’ve been too many times to count, all attendees should take advantage of HPMKT’s concierge services to help streamline their planning process and time at the market, including help with registration and dining reservations.

There are complimentary concierge services through Travel Quest, Inc. like securing a spot on the free shuttle, and booking hotel reservations. They can also handle other services, like booking airline and train tickets for a nominal fee.

Apply for an Insiders Tour

Because HPMKT’s organizers know that the market can be overwhelming for first-timers, they offer helpful tours for newbies to get the lay of the land.

Designer-led half and full-day Insiders Tours give an overview of the market, or focus on more specific niches like custom work, boutique showrooms, maximalism, and affordable luxury. Just be sure to apply in advance since space is limited.

Zena will be attending the post-tour mixers, we hope to meet you there!

There’s an App for That

Don’t wait until you get to High Point to download the super helpful MyMarket tool, which is available both as a mobile app, and a desktop planner. Use the tool to save selected showrooms, seminars, and events to your personal plan so your schedule is organized ahead of time and all the info is at your fingertips.

Pack Like a Pro

Designers, by definition, are a smartly-dressed group. And a big part of the experience is networking with members of the design community. So while you’ll want to pack a dress-to-impress wardrobe to make good first impressions, be sure to pack comfortable shoes so you can traverse all those shuttles, showrooms, and soirées without painful blisters and pinched toes. (And might we suggest packing a pair of comfy slippers for the end of the day?)

Once You’re There

Get Ready to Shuttle

Chances are good that you’ll never take as many shuttles in a day than you will at High Point. Not only does the market provide free shuttles from all the area airports, but you’ll also want to take advantage of complimentary rides to and from hotels, downtown High Point, and park-and-ride locations. There are also “go-anywhere” shuttles for showrooms or events that are off the main circuit.

Make reservations in advance for airport and hotel shuttles, and check the HPMKT website starting in late March for maps and schedules for the other free shuttle options.

Answers On-the-Go

You’ll definitely rely on the trusty MyMarket app, and the 2024 maps and guides (available in late March), while you’re making your way around the market. But you can also text the helpful chat bot, “Carolina,” at 1-855-723-2691 to get answers to your questions when you’re on-the-go.

Find Inspiration Beyond the Showrooms

High Point extends far beyond the sprawling 11.5 million sq. ft. of showrooms. Get inspired by attending seminars and events on a huge range of topics from industry movers, shakers, and trend-setters.

And don’t miss the star-studded keynote series. The exciting Spring 2024 lineup includes some of the biggest names in design: hear design icons Martyn Lawrence Bullard and Bunny Williams share lessons on building and growing careers in design, and join Business of Home podcast host Dennis Scully as he moderates a panel with Joanna Gaines, Amber Lewis, and Brigette Romanek on “Designing a Business that Endures.”

Seating is first come, first served for these popular events, so be sure to get there early to nab a spot!

Network, Nosh & Have Fun!

Just as important as getting a first look at what’s hitting the design market, and being inspired by industry legends, is the chance to build your own design community by networking with vendors and fellow designers. (And after getting in some serious steps walking from showroom to showroom, you’ll be ready for a break!)

Take advantage of all the just-for-fun stuff by mixing and mingling at the market’s social events, saying yes to invites to after-parties, exploring food trucks and other local eats, and unwinding with live concerts at Center Stage on Saturday and Sunday evenings. This year’s lineup: Nik West and the Goo Goo Dolls!

And don’t forget to bring a thick stack of printed business cards (or a handy QR-based digital version from apps like HiHello) so you can stay in touch with all your new design industry connections once you’re back home.

To read about other must-visit market events for designers coming up this year, check out Zena’s Insider's Guide to 2024's Premier Interior Design Events and Markets.