Tupelo Market Boasts 145 Exclusive Exhibitors

January 21, 2013  by in UnCategorized   

By Home Furnishings Business in Markets on January 22, 2013

The Tupelo Furniture Market is boasting 145 furniture and accessory companies who have chosen Tupelo, Miss., as their primary furniture venue.

According to the market, those 145 companies no longer exhibit at either High Point Market or Las Vegas Market.

The upcoming spring market is set for Feb. 28-March 3.

"Tupelo's reach is national in scope, and many internationals attend this event," said Chris Bray, vice president of sales and marketing for Delta Furniture Manufacturing, an upholstery supplier. "We have found, over many years of participating in these events, that if we show in Tupelo, which is located nearer the center of the United States, we can expect to draw buyers from throughout the country. And we have also determined, as have many other companies that exhibit in Tupelo, that we write a lot of orders during this event. We see just about everyone we need to see here in Tupelo."

Kevin J. Seddon, president of the Tupelo Furniture Market, said the geographic location of the Market offers a buyers and sellers an advantage.

"If you draw a large circle around Tupelo that encompasses 300 or so miles, many would be surprised at the major markets from which retailers can drive in for this event," Seddon said. "It's an advantage for Tupelo's market because, in contrast, our competitors are closer to the east and west coasts. A good portion of their 'circles' fall in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, so drive-in traffic is probably somewhat limited."

Seddon said some trade event locations are selected for the extracurricular activities available for attendees.

"It may be Disney in Orlando, theater in New York or gambling in Reno," he said. "Our location picked us. Mississippi is home to more than 200 manufacturers that service the furniture industry. Buyers come to Mississippi and the Tupelo Furniture Market because it's a primary hub for furniture business. Our slogan, 'We're All Business,' sort of sums this up. Leisure and sightseeing activities probably won't distract participants attending our event. So they don't lose their focus, and we don't lose ours."

Tupelo's market has experienced an uptick in number of exhibitors overall, with more than 110 new companies contracting for exhibit space in the last six months alone and more than 20 of their existing companies expanding.