The Authentic Home Furnishings Assn. says it is returning to the High Point Market in April based on the success of its first showing here last spring.
The association said that 10 of its manufacturer members will showcase their unfinished wood products in space 401-403 at the Suites at Market Square during the April 5-10 market. Another five will show in separate spaces near the main booth.
AHFA Executive Director Fred Moriarty said the association decided to show again based on strong attendance last April.
"It was very positive," he said, noting that about two-thirds of the retailer members that would have normally come to its previous standalone shows held until 2012 came to High Point. This included many members that had never been to the market. In addition, the booth drew traffic from retailers from around the country that are outside its membership.
Moriarty said that events that had been part of the association's standalone show, such as a seminar and a reception, will continue to take place in High Point. The same was true at the January Las Vegas Market, where 10 member manufacturers showed in a 6,000-square-foot space.
A seminar on "Increasing Your Traffic to Sales Conversion Percentage" held by JRM Sales & Management is planned for 4 p.m. April 8. A networking event is planned for 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. that same evening.
Moriarty is hoping for good attendance by member retailers at the April show.
"We are looking forward to getting those that didn't come last time to give it a try this time," he said.
He said the association surveyed members who attended the 2013 show. "Those that came had a very positive response. They found it was much easier to manage than they expected."
