High Point, NC, July 6--More than 90 percent of members in the International Textile Market Association have reserved a space for Showtime, according to the High Point Enterprise.
The summer version of the twice-annual event is slated for July 12-15. ITMA Director Catherine Morsell said 221 exhibitors expect to display their newest and best for more than 2,500 manufacturers and buyers. Participants will come from at least 17 countries including South Africa and Italy.
"Everybody seems really excited and the phone's been ringing off the hook," Morsell said recently. "I think it's a matter of the economy improving. I think people are shopping more and buying more."
Morsell said furniture manufacturers have been upbeat all year, and especially so since the spring International Home Furnishings Market.
The timing couldn't be better said Ron Stephens, vice president of the High Point Convention and Visitors Bureau and the organization's director of sales and marketing. Stephens said that, based on numbers gathered last year, Showtime pumps an estimated $986,000 into the local economy every six months.
"We think that's conservative," Stephens said, "but close to $2 million a year is a very good thing, especially since Showtime happens in January and July. Those are traditionally soft periods for tourism in our area."
In the months leading up to Showtime, CVB staffers work with Morsell to coordinate hotel commitments. In addition, services representatives will be at the event to provide information about attractions and amenities in High Point. The CVB also contributes $5,000 annually to help fund a shuttle service.
New for this season, that system will be professionally operated rather than manned with volunteers as it has been in the past. A continuous route throughout each day will connect the event's three basic areas of showroom concentration downtown. In conjunction, free parking also has been coordinated in three adjacent areas.
Morsell said changes this season include relocation of fabric showrooms out of the International Home Furnishings Center. Morsell said the move will serve to consolidate those exhibitors with Showtime's primary flow of traffic. Of the six companies formerly located in the IHFC, five will be exhibiting in other locations and one will not show at market, the ITMA reports. High Point-based Culp Inc. will be located in Showplace.
Blumenthal Print Works Inc. and Microfibers Inc.-Upholstery Fabrics will show at 333 S. Wrenn St. and Chambers Fabrics Inc. and Milliken & Co. will be in the Resource Center, the ITMA reports.
Also new will be the 11 companies who have signed on with ITMA since the last event in January. The suppliers and manufacturers will be featured in the expanded display area dubbed Textiles on 2. The space is located on the second floor of Market Square.
While Showtime will not officially begin until July 12, organizers expect a good turnout for the preshow Roundtable. The panel discussion, slated for 6 p.m. July 11 in the Suites at Market Square, will be an open forum for discussion of industry issues and consumer trends. The opening-night Runway Fashion Show and cocktail party has become a traditional crowd pleaser. First introduced six years ago, the show takes an entertaining and creative approach to display the latest in upholstery fabrics and trims.
The meet-and-greet, scheduled for 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Showplace, also will serve as a venue to present this season's Virginia Jackson Design Award winners. July 13 highlights will include presentations of the Home Color and Trends Forecast. The program is booked at 10 a.m., 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. at the String and Splinter Club. Breakfast at Showtime will start the day July 14 at the String and Splinter Club. This season's presentation will focus on a resurgence of U.S. fabric exports. Featured speakers will include Larry Liebenow of Quaker Fabrics.
