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Brian Casey to Leave High Point Market Authority
March 20,
2011 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in High Point on March 21, 2011
Brian Casey, president and CEO of the
High Point Market Authority has accepted another position and is leaving the HPMA, effective April 30.
Casey has accepted a position with MMPI Cleveland. He has held his Market Authority position since 2006, and the HPMA executive committee will oversee the immediate search for Caseys replacement.
As we embark on this new beginning for the Market Authority, the executive committee believes the future of the billion-dollar High Point Market is bright, and that the importance of a strong and independent Market Authority has never been more critical, said HPMA Chairman Kevin OConnor, who also heads Samson Marketing. I would like to thank Brian Casey for the work he has done over the last five years. He has been a tireless advocate for furthering the brand of the High Point Market and we wish him all the best for his future endeavors. We have built a strong group in the Market Authority staff and its board, and we are prepared for an exceptional April Market with Brian and with Senior Vice President Tammy Nagem handling the day-to-day operations.
This is a career move and a unique opportunity for me," Casey said. "My tenure at the Market Authority has been one of the best experiences in my overall professional career. I can only attribute that to the great staff and Board, a supportive community, and industry leaders who will continue to keep this Market strong.
OConnor says that the three pillars of the HPMA boardexhibitors, buildings, communityare equally committed to the success of the Market and the strength of the Market Authority.
"There have been incredible accomplishments and improvements in the High Point Market, particularly in the last five years," OConnor said. "The priority of the Market Authority when Brian Casey came here was to defend the High Point Market as the premier furniture trade show in the world. We have not only met that goal, but the buyers have voted for this market with their attendance and the exhibitors with their dollars."
"Today, this is a different industry and a different world with new challenges. As we move forward, our objective is to continue to develop the High Point Market, to make it even better, and to expand it in its role as the worlds home for home furnishings. We are well staffed and well organized to move forward," said OConnor.
As a long-time exhibitor at the High Point Market, we have seen dramatically improved services here in High Point in the last few years," said Doug Bassett, vice chairman of the Market Authority and COO of Vaughan-Bassett. "The High Point Market has given us an incredible return on our investment, with our best traffic in years at the last two Markets in particular. The entire staff of the Market Authority has worked tirelessly to deliver a better and more successful market each year.
The IHFC is strongly committed to the Market Authority, says Tom Mitchell, HPMA executive committee member, and president and CEO of the International Home Furnishings Center. Its work to make the High Point Market the best experience possible for the buyers and sellers who do business here is invaluable.
High Point Mayor Becky Smothers, who is also a member of the Market Authoritys executive committee, said, The High Point Market is one of this citys most important economic assets, with an $8 billion dollar impact statewide. We all take pride in this Market, not only for what it represents, but for what it provides our community and the state of North Carolina. It is a precious economic asset that is recognized as the premier international event for the home furnishings industry, an achievement that has evolved over the Markets 100-plus year history.