Daily News
From Home Furnishing Business
HPxD Foundation Partners with HP Schools on Educator Exchange
June 8,
2026 by Karen Parrish in Business Strategy, Industry 
The HPxD Foundation is partnering with High Point Schools Partnership on Educator Exchange: Pathways to the Design & Home Furnishings Industry, a new immersive initiative that introduces educators to industry professionals, inviting them into factories, studios and showrooms, and expanding their awareness of the multitude of career opportunities in and around High Point.
“We often talk about the importance of attracting the next generation to our industry, but first they have to know we exist,” said Jane Dagmi, managing director of HPxD. “Teachers and counselors have a unique influence over the opportunities students consider. By inviting educators behind the scenes to experience the creativity, craftsmanship, innovation, and entrepreneurship that thrive in High Point, we're helping them see possibilities they can share with their students for years to come.”
The two-day, ten-hour event kicks off at Cohab Space on Monday, June 15 from 4:00 - 6:00pm. Programming includes welcoming remarks from partners and supporters, a career opportunities roundtable featuring employers and employees from the High Point area, and a tour of the 35,000-square foot Cohab campus. The reception is open to the community. To register click here.
The following day, 50 invited educators from High Point schools, will embark on a day-long field trip so that they can experience what the industry looks like, sounds like, and feels like from the inside.
The agenda starts at 9am with a welcome breakfast and presentation at Verellen Furniture, followed by a tour of their headquarters and factory. Next stop is Universal Furniture for lunch, a showroom tour, and educational programming. And prior to the last stop at THS Creative, a full-service marketing, content and experience studio, guests will board a bus for a “windshield tour” of the Market District, compliments of High Point Market Authority. The day concludes by 5pm.
With a focus on interior design and photography, manufacturing, marketing, technology, communications, and art, the initiative exposes educators to many creative, technical, and entrepreneurial career opportunities. The hope is that teachers will begin to identify talent in their own classrooms and start to build sustainable relationships.
“At High Point Schools Partnership, we believe that when educators have the support they need and students have access to meaningful opportunities, our entire community benefits. The overwhelming response to this year's Educator Exchange, with more than 100 educators from across Guilford County expressing interest in participating, demonstrates the desire for stronger connections between our schools and the broader community.”
The Educators Exchange: Pathways into the Design & Home Furnishings Industry is made possible through a grant from the City of High Point, and the generous support of High Point Market Authority, Cohab.Space, Verellen, Universal Furniture, THS Creative and Withit.