We are so excited after our return from North Carolina where we exhibited our first ZayZay Living collection. The High Point Market (HPMKT) is the world’s largest home furnishings industry trade show with over 2,000 exhibitors in 180 buildings, or put another way, about 12 million square feet. That’s a lot to see over the course of five days. This show attracts an average of 75,000 attendees from over 100 countries. Comfortable shoes are a must and so is a stop for a donut at the original Krispy Kreme bakery founded in 1937 in Winston-Salem.
High Point Market has been a bi-annual furniture event and tradition since 1909. Among the first Europeans to settle in the High Point area were English Quakers and German immigrants starting in the late 1740s. Its central location and proximity to two main railroads, the 1856 North Carolina Railroad and the 1852 Great Western Plank Road, contributed to its early growth. This facilitated the delivery of raw materials like cotton, lumber and processed goods. The first of many High Point furniture factories was opened in 1889 and soon grew into a major manufacturing center.
So, how did we find ourselves in North Carolina? We were invited to participate by Mercatus, a furniture manufacturer from Hamburg, Germany, who have a permanent showroom at HPMKT. This was a marvelous opportunity for us to showcase our limited edition duvet covers and bedding as well as meet buyers and professionals in home decor. Throughout the week, the reception was one of excitement and high praise for our unique collection. This left us motivated and fuelled for things to come. The feedback was invaluable and it was an ideal and fun place to network.
