Tupelo Has High Expectations

July 31, 2012  by in UnCategorized   

By Home Furnishings Business in Tupelo on August 1, 2012

Tupelo Furniture Market organizers expect the highest buyer attendance in decades this month as the show celebrates its 25th year in operation and 50th event overall.

In addition, exhibit sales have increased substantially, leaving only a small amount of permanent and temporary space still available with just more than two weeks left before the market opens Aug. 16.

"Immediately after our last show in February, we began a review of our business and then executed a plan that we believed would maximize our market position, increase awareness and create excitement," said V.M. Cleveland, CEO of Tupelo Furniture Market. "From management and sales personnel to infrastructure, operations and marketing, all areas of our business, as well as the industry itself, were taken into consideration. This upturn is the end result."

For the upcoming Market, organizers report pre-registrations are up 100 percent; permanent exhibit space is 97 percent sold; and temporary exhibit space is 88 percent sold. Hotel reservations have surpassed any year in recent history.

"We are already completely booked for the week of the event," said Shari Long Neely, director of sales at Tupelo's Hilton Garden Inn. "We always do well during the furniture market, but this year we are ahead of schedule, and my understanding is that hotel space throughout the city is nearing capacity. This bodes well for the entire region."

Greg Giachelli, vice president of economic development for Tupelo's Community Development Foundation, agreed with Doe's assessment: "The CDF has been intricately involved with the Tupelo Furniture Market since its inception. It's clear that this year's event will far exceed expectations, and we are fortunate that we will all share in this success on the market's 25th anniversary."

Th Market also features a Top 50 Promotion or New Exhibitor Promotion to provide added incentive for attendance. More than 80 companies exhibiting at the event will give away the latest Apple iPads or state-of-the-art, flat-screen TVs throughout the show's four-day run. Many of these companies will give away product along with the electronic devices, and many of them are offering incentives to industry buyers that will be available only in Tupelo.

"We don't plan on letting up until the doors open," said Cleveland. "Our planning and execution have already produced positive results, and we aim to capitalize on our momentum and ride that wave all the way through to August 16."