Behind the Scenes at High Point Furniture Market: How the South Became the Center of the Design Universe

Hey y'all! If there's one thing we've learned during our Girls Go South adventures, it's that the South is FULL of surprises. But few things surprise first-time visitors more than discovering that twice a year, the small city of High Point, North Carolina transforms into the undisputed epicenter of the global furniture industry!

That's right—forget Milan, Paris, or New York. When it comes to furniture and home decor, industry insiders know that the real action happens right here in the South. As High Point University students, we've had the incredible opportunity to intern with different companies at what locals simply call "Market," and we're spilling all the tea on this uniquely Southern phenomenon!

The Southern Secret the Design World Can't Live Without

The High Point Furniture Market is mind-blowing in scale: over 12 million square feet of showspace spread across 180+ buildings. For one week in April and another in October, this relatively quiet Piedmont town explodes with over 75,000 attendees from more than 100 countries. Hotel rooms are booked years in advance, and restaurants that are normally easy to get into suddenly require reservations weeks ahead.

What's even more incredible? Many international visitors who come have never been to the American South before and have no idea what to expect. Their journey from fashion capitals and major metropolitan areas to little ol' High Point is a culture shock that never fails to entertain us locals!

Our Market Internship Experiences

Kielan's Experience: Showroom Management Chaos

My internship with Lexington Home Brands threw me into the deep end of showroom management. My responsibilities included everything from coordinating catering for VIP clients to tracking inventory as pieces sold. The craziest moment? When a Saudi prince's design team purchased an entire bedroom collection on the spot, and I had to coordinate rush shipping to the Middle East. I've never sent so many urgent emails in my life!

The most surprising thing I learned was how much genuine Southern hospitality matters in this high-stakes environment. While design expertise is important, the personal connections formed over sweet tea and biscuits often sealed the deal on major purchases.

Mia's Experience: International Buyer Relations

Working with Century Furniture's international sales team gave me a front-row seat to the cultural melting pot that Market creates. I helped escort buyer groups from China, Italy, Russia, and the Middle East throughout the massive showroom. The language barriers were real (thank goodness for translation apps!), but so was the universal language of design appreciation.

My favorite memory was teaching a group of Scandinavian buyers how to properly enjoy cheese grits at a business breakfast. Their skeptical faces turning to delight was priceless! By the end of Market, they were saying "y'all" and craving sweet tea.

Natalia's Experience: Trend Forecasting and Analysis

My position with Bernhardt Furniture involved assisting their trend forecasting team. I helped compile designer feedback, tracked which showroom pieces generated the most interest, and identified emerging color and material trends.

The most valuable skill I developed was learning to spot the difference between what people say they want and what they actually purchase. The data rarely lies! I also got to attend exclusive trend seminars where designers from Paris, Tokyo, and Copenhagen discussed how Southern design elements are influencing global trends.

What Makes High Point Market Uniquely Southern

Despite its international importance, Market remains distinctly Southern in character. Here's what makes it special:

Southern Hospitality as Business Strategy

Every showroom features some form of Southern comfort—whether it's bourbon tastings, shrimp and grits stations, or bluegrass bands playing during cocktail hour. This isn't just for charm; it's strategic! We watched as tense negotiations melted away over shared plates of barbecue and peach cobbler.

The Furniture Highway

The 30-mile stretch between High Point and Hickory is known as the "Furniture Highway" for good reason. Generations of Southern craftsmanship built the foundation that attracted the global market. Many showrooms proudly display their Southern heritage, with some furniture still made by local artisans whose families have been in the business for generations.

The Small-Town/Global Contrast

Nothing beats watching fashionable industry executives from Manhattan and Milan navigating the quirks of small-town Southern life. From confusion over sweet vs. unsweet tea to surprise at strangers saying hello on the street, these cultural collisions provided endless entertainment during our internships.

Life Lessons from Market Week

Beyond the professional skills we gained, Market taught us some valuable life lessons:

1. Networking is everything - The connections we made during our internships opened doors we never imagined. Several of us already have job offers for after graduation!

2. Southern culture has global appeal - Watching international visitors fall in love with Southern hospitality reminded us that our regional charm is a genuine business asset.

3. Adaptation is key - The most successful Market professionals are those who can speak the language of global design while maintaining authentic Southern warmth.

4. High Point University prepared us well - The professional skills and confidence we developed at HPU made us valuable assets to our Market employers.

Tips for Future Market Interns

If you're a Southern student considering a Market internship, here's our advice:

• Wear comfortable but stylish shoes - You'll walk miles every day through showrooms

• Bring business cards - Yes, they still matter, especially at Market!

• Study the showroom map before you start - Nothing says "newbie" like getting lost

• Keep a Market journal - Document connections, inspirations, and learning moments

• Take advantage of after-hours events - That's where the real networking happens

The Verdict

Our Market internships gave us more than resume boosters—they provided us with a deeper appreciation for how our Southern home influences global design. They also showed us how our university experience translated into real-world skills that impressed industry professionals.

Who knew that our decision to study in the South would connect us to a worldwide network of design professionals? Sometimes the most global experiences happen in the most unexpected Southern places!

Have you ever attended High Point Furniture Market or interned at a major industry event? We'd love to hear about your experience in the comments!

Follow along on Instagram @GirlsGoSouth.Pod for behind-the-scenes footage from our Market adventures!

Girls Go South is a podcast created by friends who relocated to North Carolina for college, sharing our journey of discovering Southern culture, food, fashion, and adventures!