12 Tips to Survive High Point Market (2026 Guide)

Where are the best places to stay during High Point Market? 

Book early — lodging is the single most competitive part of planning a High Point Market trip. Each Market brings in over 75,000 attendees, which is more than two-thirds of High Point’s year-round population. That means finding a place to stay is highly competitive, and it pays to plan early. 

In addition to traditional hotels, there are a wide range of private rentals available through Airbnb, VRBO, and local Market rentals. The High Point Market website has a great planning section to help you with accommodation booking, transportation, and more. 

A few approaches that work well for experienced attendees: 

• Stay in Greensboro or High Point. Both put you within easy reach of the Market, and many designers choose a Greensboro hotel that sits on the official shuttle schedule. 
• Pick a hotel on the shuttle route. A Marriott or similar property along the shuttle line takes the stress out of getting to and from the show floor each day. 
• Consider a small rental with a few colleagues. Renting a house through Airbnb or VRBO gives you a place to regroup and unwind at the end of a long day—and splitting it keeps costs down. 

Pro Tip: When choosing where to stay, consider which airport you’re flying into and your distance from the Market. Shuttles are available between select hotels and the Market, but they only run at scheduled times. Ride shares like Uber may be unreliable in smaller areas, and a taxi from some airports can cost upwards of $200. Book early, coordinate with your travel companions, and check the shuttle schedule! 

What’s Your Top Tip for Getting the Most Out of Your Day at High Point Market? 

A well-planned visit to High Point Market can make all the difference between feeling overwhelmed and walking away inspired and productive. To make the most of your experience, be sure to schedule showroom appointments in advance, map out must-see exhibitors, and allocate time for seminars, networking events, meals—and rest! 

Pro Tip: Before you go, set your goals. Are you there to source furniture? Build vendor relationships? Discover new trends? Having clear objectives will help you stay focused and maximize your time on the ground. 

Tips seasoned attendees come back to again and again: 

• Plan with the HPMKT app. Favorite the showrooms you want to see and group them by location so your route makes sense—many designers start at IHFC and work outward. 
• Build your day by building or neighborhood. Consolidate your walking so you’re not running back and forth across the Market. Grouping stops geographically is the single biggest time-saver. 
• Pick your top 10 showrooms in advance. You can’t see everything, so prioritize the must-visits and treat the rest as bonuses. 
• Browse the panel schedule ahead of time. There’s an enormous amount of free education at Market—build the sessions you want into your plan so you don’t miss them. 
• Take breaks and use the Go-Anywhere shuttles. Pacing yourself and letting the shuttles cover the long distances will save your energy for the showrooms that matter. 

The HPMKT app is the official High Point Market mobile app, which lets you favorite showrooms, group them by location, and browse the seminar schedule. 

Whether it’s your first Market or your tenth, the key takeaway is clear: Don’t wing it. Plan it. 

What shoes should you wear to High Point Market? 

It’s all about the shoes! Never underestimate how much walking you’ll do at High Point Market—our team consistently logs over 18,000 steps a day. Choosing the right footwear is essential. While style matters (of course!), comfort is key. The shoes you put on in the morning will likely be the ones you’re wearing well into the evening. 

Pro tip: Don’t wear brand-new shoes. Break them in ahead of time to avoid those dreaded blisters. If you can’t resist new shoes, be sure to purchase some blister stick. This will save your feet and you can thank us later. 

Popular picks for comfortable-yet-stylish shoes at High Point Market: 

• Cushioned flats like Birdies strike a good balance of comfort and style for long days on your feet. 
• Supportive walking sneakers such as the Clarks Women’s Layton Pace are a reliable, all-day option. 
• White or embellished sneakers that dress up an outfit while still keeping you comfortable. 
• Loafers for anyone who wants a slightly more polished look without sacrificing support. 

The common thread: sneakers are the unofficial shoe of choice at High Point Market. Go for something broken-in that lets you move confidently from showroom to showroom without missing a step! 

Who has the best designer lounge to rest your feet? 

There is no prize ribbon for staying on your feet the entire day. You need to plan in some dedicated R&R. Not a full nap here, but some dedicated time to rest your feet, check email, and share on social. 

Designer-favorite spots to catch your breath: 

• Universal — a perennial favorite for a comfortable place to sit and regroup. 
• Rowe / Robin Bruce — another reliable showroom lounge to rest your feet. 
• Vanguard — a comfortable spot to pause mid-day. 
• The Interior Design Society (IDS) — a welcoming home base for members. 
• The Showplace building — a central location, inside and out, where you can rest while still enjoying the sound stage, food trucks, and the company of your peers. 
• Congdon Yards — a great place to relax with free Wi-Fi. 

What’s the best bag to carry? 

The consensus: go hands-free and keep it light. A few options designers favor: 

• A backpack (a Portland Leather backpack is a popular pick). Backpacks distribute weight evenly—tote bags get painfully heavy once they’re full of showroom material. 
• A small crossbody with a long strap. Keep it compact and ask showrooms to ship anything large rather than carrying it. 
• A slim rolling briefcase for anyone who prefers to wheel their essentials rather than carry them. 

What are the must-haves in your bag at Market?

Pulling together what experienced attendees never leave the hotel without, here’s a reliable packing list: 

• Phone and a backup charger — your phone is your camera, map, and notebook, so keep it powered. 
• Business cards — you’ll be making connections all day. 
• Water bottle — stay hydrated across all those steps. 
• A snack like trail mix to keep your energy up between showrooms. 
• Pain reliever (ibuprofen or similar) for sore feet and long days. 
• A pen and small notebook for quick notes when your phone’s tied up. 
• Quick refreshers — lip balm, hand lotion, extra hair ties, a small brush, and tissues. 

Best Spots for Lunch at High Point Market 

With all those steps you’ll be taking, staying fueled is a must! High Point Market isn’t short on food, but there are only so many passed hors d’oeuvres one can enjoy before craving a full meal with all the food groups. A proper lunch helps you recharge so you can power through the afternoon of showroom visits, networking, and inspiration gathering. 

Pro Tip: Plan your daily schedule to include a showroom known for great lunches. It’s the perfect way to rest your feet, refuel, and even enjoy a drink with fellow designers. 

Designer-favorite places to refuel during High Point Market: 

• The pizza food truck outside the C&D building for a quick, satisfying bite between showrooms. 
• A sit-down restaurant inside Market Square when you want to actually sit, catch up with friends, and enjoy a cocktail. 
• Showroom lunches at Theodore Alexander or Thibaut, which are known for taking good care of visitors. 
• The Phillips Collection showroom, a longtime favorite for a warm welcome and a good meal. 

Other top-rated lunch spots: 

• Universal
• Jaipur Living 
• Currey & Company 
• Norwalk 
• Schonbek 
• Baker Furniture 

Pro-level tip: These showrooms often offer more than just a meal—they’re a great chance to connect with reps, see product up close, and take a well-earned breather. 

What are Your Tech Tips for Capturing High Point Market? 

There’s no shortage of stunning showrooms and products at High Point Market—you’ll want to photograph everything. But with all the excitement, it’s easy to forget where each photo or video came from. 

Keep your phone charged and your camera ready. You’ll be snapping pictures of textiles, lighting, furniture, signage, inspiration boards—you name it. That content is gold for your portfolio, social media, or future sourcing. 

Here are some tried-and-true tech tips from designers who’ve been there: 

• Take a photo of the showroom signage first. Before you start shooting products, snap a picture of the showroom’s name or sign. When you’re reviewing hundreds of photos later, you’ll know exactly where each one came from. 
• Bring a portable charger. Your phone will drain quickly from all the photos, social media, and navigation. 
• Consider using a cloud service like Google Photos or iCloud to automatically back up your images in case your phone fills up or you need to access them from another device. 
• Use your Notes app or voice memos to jot down product names, follow-up tasks, or rep contact info while it’s fresh in your mind. 

Pro Tip: If you’re planning to share content later on Instagram or with your team, take a quick moment to record voice memos describing what you loved about a product or why it stood out. You’ll thank yourself later when you’re trying to remember which velvet sofa had the perfect olive tone. 

What are the most popular showrooms to visit? 

Showrooms that consistently top designers’ must-visit lists include: 

• Furniture & upholstery: Universal, Norwalk, Gabby, Theodore Alexander, Made Goods, and Eichholtz 
• Lighting & decor: Visual Comfort, Wildwood, Regina Andrew, Uttermost, and Harp and Finial 
• Textiles & rugs: Thibaut and Jaipur Living 
• Art & accessories: Phillips Collection, Trowbridge Gallery, Pasha, and Leftbank Art 
• Also worth a look: Tempo at Market Square and Ted Scott Designs 

What should designers NOT do at High Point Market?

A few common mistakes to avoid: 

• Don’t show up without a plan. Going in without a route or a priority list is the fastest way to feel overwhelmed and waste time. 
• Don’t try to see everything. It’s impossible—make a list of your priorities and accept that you’ll miss some things. 
• Don’t wear high heels. Save them for another day; your feet will thank you after 18,000 steps. 
• Don’t carry too much. Skip the printed pamphlets, go digital, and keep only the essentials on you. 
• Don’t stay inside the IHFC building. Market is enormous, and some of the best finds are in the outside brick-and-mortar showrooms—make time to explore them. 
• Don’t forget to connect. Leave room in your schedule to chat with new people and discover showrooms you didn’t plan for.  

What to attend at Market 

High Point Market features several days of free education and networking. During Fall Market’s opening weekend—Friday, October 16 through Monday, October 19, 2026—Studio Designer and Mydoma are sponsoring panels, tours, and networking events focused on design-business essentials, including pricing, profitability, contracts, marketing, and building a firm that pays well. Here’s the full lineup in chronological order. 

Friday, October 16 

• Collected & Curated Tour: Hidden Gems & Storied Finds — Breakfast 8:45 AM, tour starts 9:30 AM · Interior Design Society Headquarters. An off-the-beaten-path antiques and vintage-finds trolley tour led by IDS National Board members Debbe Daley and Gloria Staats. Breakfast and lunch included. RSVP 
• Annual Designer Social — 4:00–6:00 PM · Essentials for Living (rooftop and downstairs patio). Cocktails, light bites, and relaxed networking. Hosted by the Interior Design Society and supported by Studio Designer | Mydoma. Open to all designers. RSVP 

Saturday, October 17 

• Learn to Love High Point Market Tour — Breakfast 8:45 AM, tour starts 9:30 AM · Interior Design Society Headquarters. Built for first-timers and newer designers: at least five designer-friendly showrooms, private tours, and insider tips, with a shuttle between stops. Led by Wendy Woloshchuk and Jennifer Tampasis. Breakfast and lunch included. RSVP 
• Real Talk: What Your Design Lawyer Wants You to Know — 1:00 PM · Alder & Tweed, Commerce & Design 6E, Floor 6. Attorney Wendy Estela (Estela Law / Designed Counsel) and LuAnn Nigara cover contract gaps, documentation mistakes, unclear payment terms, and compliance issues that quietly undermine design firms. RSVP 
• A Well-Designed Business® Podcast 10th Birthday Celebration — 4:00–7:00 PM · Designmaster Furniture, 201 S Main Street. Celebrate 10 years of LuAnn Nigara’s podcast with the premiere screening of Part 5 of the docuseries (5:00 PM), cocktails, light bites, and networking. Complimentary; RSVP required. RSVP 

Sunday, October 18 

• The Human Advantage: What AI Can’t Replace — 10:00 AM · The Point. Tracee Murphy, The Design Biz Therapist, on why trust, empathy, and relationship-building remain the true drivers of client loyalty as AI reshapes the industry. Event details 
• 3 Designers. 3 Business Models. All Profitable. — 11:30 AM · Regina Andrew, IHFC IH006, Commerce, Floor 1. Nine years after their first panel, LuAnn Nigara reunites Don Ricardo Massenburg, Wendy Woloshchuk, and Sara Lynn Brennan to unpack the decisions behind three very different—but genuinely profitable—firms. RSVP 
• The Price Is Right: Generate Higher Design Fees That Reflect Your Value — 2:00–3:00 PM · Crystorama Lighting, IHFC H241. Moderator Julia Nikishina (New Age Financial Consulting) with Daniel Paul, Dalia Soles, Brooke Stoll, and Ashley Hughes on true costs, fee-setting, and capturing markups on freight, receiving, warehousing, and reimbursables. Sponsored by Studio Designer | Mydoma. RSVP 

Monday, October 19 

• Inside the Boardroom — LuAnn Nigara and the Boardroom for Creatives — 10:00–11:00 AM · Hooker Furnishings. The High Point Market debut of Boardroom for Creatives, with a panel of vetted business experts on sales, marketing, finances, systems, leadership, profitability, and growth. Bring your hard questions. RSVP 
• Ladies That Lunch: The Power Lunch Edition — 11:30 AM–1:00 PM · Crystorama Lighting, IHFC H241. Juliana Ewer, Nicole Culler, Jewel Marlowe, and Autumn Pochiro on building a business on your own terms, moderated by Antonio DeLoatch. Sponsored by SunThreads and Studio Designer | Mydoma. RSVP 
• The Light We Live In: How Neuroaesthetics and Salutogenic Design Transform Homes — 2:00–3:00 PM · Crystorama Lighting, IHFC H241. Moderator Cindy W. Hodnett (BridgeTower Media) with SID-certified designers Kat Blue, Marie Cloud, Nina Lichtenstein, and Genna Jacobs-Freeman on circadian lighting, biophilic design, visual comfort, and color psychology. Sponsored by Studio Designer | Mydoma. RSVP 

To RSVP or see the latest details for any of these, visit the Studio Designer events page. 

Any other tips you’ve found useful for Market?

A few final pieces of advice from seasoned attendees: 

• Be intentional about networking. Make time for socials and connections, and sign up for a tour or educational course. If you’re an introvert, go in with a plan for how you’ll approach reps and other designers. 
• Set connection goals. One useful benchmark: aim to leave Market with at least five new showrooms to add to your sourcing list and five new professional or personal connections. 
• Prioritize comfort. Go for comfortable footwear and save the heels for another day. 
• Pack layers. Weather can be unpredictable, and showroom temperatures vary, so dress so you can adjust. 
• Be yourself and have fun. Know what you want to get out of Market, check those boxes, and enjoy making new friends along the way. 

Attending High Point Market can be an incredibly exciting and rewarding experience for anyone in the interior design industry. But with so much to see and do, it can also feel overwhelming—especially if it’s your first time. Our hope is that these tips help you make the most of your visit: from discovering the latest interior design trends to building valuable connections and navigating the Market with purpose. 

Remember: plan ahead, stay organized, wear comfortable shoes, and take breaks when needed to avoid burnout. With a little preparation, you’ll be able to experience High Point Market with confidence and clarity.  

Frequently Asked Questions About High Point Market 

When is High Point Market 2026? Spring Market 2026 runs April 25–29, 2026, and Fall Market 2026 runs October 17–21, 2026, in High Point, North Carolina. 

Where is High Point Market held? High Point Market takes place across downtown High Point, North Carolina. Rather than a single convention center, the whole city functions as the show floor, with over 12 million square feet of showrooms spread across more than 180 buildings. 

Is High Point Market open to the public? No. High Point Market is a trade-only event for the home furnishings and interior design industry—it is not open to the general public, and even designers’ clients are not permitted on the show floor. Members of the public looking for products shown at Market can contact the High Point Convention and Visitors Bureau for a list of local retailers that carry Market exhibitors’ lines. 

How much does it cost to attend High Point Market? Buyer passes are free during pre-registration and $30 each once onsite registration opens during Market. Attendance is free for buyers, exhibitors, and media; industry passes are $55. A $30 non-refundable onsite processing fee applies to any buyer or industry pass requested after online registration closes. 

Do you need to register to attend High Point Market? Yes. High Point Market is a trade-only event for design and home furnishings professionals, and attendees must register in advance through the official High Point Market website. 

How many people attend High Point Market? Each Market draws roughly 75,000 attendees—more than two-thirds of High Point’s year-round population—which is why booking accommodations early is essential. 

What’s the closest airport to High Point Market? The closest airport is Piedmont Triad International Airport (PTI) in Greensboro. Attendees can also fly into Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) or Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU). High Point Market runs a free airport shuttle system—no reservation is needed for the Greensboro airport, while the Charlotte and Raleigh shuttles require a reservation. 

How long is High Point Market and how many days do you need? High Point Market runs five days, Saturday through Wednesday. Showroom hours are 8 a.m.–7 p.m. Saturday through Tuesday and 8 a.m.–5 p.m. on Wednesday. Most designers spend two to four days depending on their goals—trying to cover all 12 million square feet in one visit isn’t realistic. 

What’s the difference between Spring and Fall High Point Market? Both Markets run in the same city with the same showrooms, but the focus differs. Spring Market (April) is traditionally when brands debut their biggest new collections for the year, while Fall Market (October) leans more toward holiday previews, closeouts, and follow-up ordering. 

What should you wear to High Point Market? Comfortable, broken-in sneakers. Attendees routinely walk over 18,000 steps a day, so most designers choose supportive footwear over heels. 

What should first-timers know about High Point Market? Don’t try to see everything. Set clear goals, pick your top 10 showrooms, plan each day by building or district to avoid backtracking, schedule rest and lunch breaks, and photograph each showroom’s signage before shooting its products so you remember the source. 

Don’t forget to check out all the exciting events Studio Designer is hosting for Market! We’ve got a fantastic lineup of panels featuring industry experts, in partnership with some of our favorite vendors. It’s a great chance to connect, learn, and be inspired. 

Follow @_studiodesigner on Instagram for behind-the-scenes looks, live event coverage, and exclusive Market moments. 

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