Alright, let’s be real—High Point Market is A LOT. It’s exciting, it’s overwhelming, and if you’re not careful, it will chew you up and spit you out with sore feet, an overpacked schedule, and a camera roll full of blurry photos you don’t even remember taking.
But guess what? We’ve been there. We’ve made the mistakes so you don’t have to. And in this episode we’re breaking down exactly how to do High Point the right way.
- Maximize your time
- Connect with the right people
- Actually enjoy the experience
What We Cover in This Episode
- How to plan your schedule so you don’t feel like you’re missing out
- Solo vs. team—who should you bring with you?
- When to set up showroom tours vs. when to just explore
- Why vendor reps are the ultimate High Point Market cheat code
- Events you don’t want to miss (and where to find us!)
High Point Market: What You Need to Know Before You Go
If this is your first time at High Point, here’s something to keep in mind: you can’t see everything.
With so many showrooms, events, and networking opportunities, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. The key? Be intentional about where you go and what you do.
How We Plan Our Market Trips
- Schedule must-see showrooms first. If there are brands you need to see, book those appointments ahead of time.
- Give yourself time to explore. Some of the best finds happen when you’re just walking through a showroom without a strict plan.
- Use Market Zones. We divide up our schedule by section—one day for Market Square, another for Century, Vanguard, and nearby showrooms.
- Don’t forget to network. Some of the best business connections happen at happy hours, panels, and showroom events.
Should You Bring Your Team or Go Solo?
One of the most common questions we get: should I bring my team?
Going Solo
- You’ll have more flexibility.
- Easier to attend events and move at your own pace.
- Market can be overwhelming alone. If possible, bring someone just to help take photos and videos.
Bringing Your Team
- A game-changer if you’re sourcing for projects.
- You can divide and conquer—cover more showrooms in less time.
- Helps create better client content (photos/videos of products in person).
We always bring our senior design team to check out new collections, take videos for clients, and get hands-on with the pieces we’re specifying.
Pro Tips to Survive High Point Market
Because no one wants to feel like they just ran a marathon they didn’t train for.
- Your shoes will make or break you. Sneakers over stilettos. Bring an extra pair if you want to change before events.
- Parking gets wild. If you’re not into shuttles, grab a paid lot early ($20–$40/day).
- Take all the photos. Your brain won’t remember everything you see, but your camera will.
- Use the High Point App. Organize your schedule and make last-minute changes easily.
- Say hi. Some of the best people you’ll meet won’t be in your planned meetings—they’ll be at the events you show up to.
Where to Find Us at High Point Market
We’ve got an exciting lineup at Vanguard (4th Floor), and we’d love for you to join us. From brunch with industry icons to exclusive showroom tours and insightful panels, here’s where you can connect with us at Market.
Sunday, April 27th @ Vanguard (4th Floor)
10:00 AM – Brunch & Conversation with Tracee Murphy
Start your day with coffee and an insightful conversation with Tracee Murphy as we explore the psychology of interior design. Learn how human behavior influences great design and how you can use these insights in your business.
1:00 PM – Design Dash Showroom Tour
We’re going on an exclusive, behind-the-scenes showroom tour featuring:
- Wendover Art – Explore the latest in interior artwork trends
- Feizy Rugs – Learn what makes a rug collection investment-worthy
- Vanguard – Get an exclusive look at the latest furniture collections
Post-Tour Cocktails & Conversations
After a full day of showroom hopping, let’s kick back with cocktails, conversations, and connections.
Bonus: A VIP Moment with Thom Filicia
We’ll have a special meet-and-greet with Thom Filicia, where he’ll share insights on his latest collection and design philosophy.
Monday, April 28th @ Vanguard (4th Floor)
Brunch with Thom Filicia
Another chance to sit down with Thom Filicia over brunch as we discuss his creative process, latest collection, and approach to design.
Podcast Recording with Victoria Holly
We’re sitting down with Victoria Holly, one of High Point Market’s Style Spotters, to talk about emerging trends, design insights, and what’s catching her eye at Market this year.
2:00 PM – Panel Discussion with Linda Holt & Christy Day
Taking high-end project photos doesn’t require a fancy camera—Linda Holt will show you how to shoot magazine-worthy images using just your phone.
Meanwhile, Christy Day will share styling techniques to make every shot portfolio-ready.
How to Join Us at High Point Market
RSVP now! Spaces are limited for our events, so make sure to secure your spot early.
Hit play now—you’ll walk away with game-changing takeaways that can make or break your next project.
THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY:
The DesignDash Podcast is sponsored by Monogram Luxury Appliances.
Monogram is a long time partner and go to for us at DesignDash, as well as our design firm, Laura U Design Collective. We love them because they believe in three main pillars that we, as creatives, can easily get behind: sourcing superior Materials, offering high-quality Performance, and taking Ownership. Each of these upholds their commitment to high quality, innovation, and homeowners.
