High Pt., N.C.—While retailers were perusing the various showrooms and exhibits throughout the city at last year’s fall market, the International Home Furnishing Market Authority (IHFMA) announced a number of major changes “to help elevate the market experience.” At the same time Judy Mendenhall, the Authority’s president, announced her retirement.

Also, Bruce Miller, CEO of the International Home Furnishings Center (IHFC), resigned, effective Jan. 1.

Mendenhall, who has been with IHFMA since its inception in 2001—after serving as High Point mayor and president of the chamber of commerce—said she will remain involved with the organization to ease the transition of the next president who, at press time, has yet to be named.

Paul Toms, IHFMA’s chairman, said Mendenhall achieved the Authority’s goals of improving services to market attendees, obtaining more state and local funding and developing an efficient transportation terminal, among numerous other accomplishments.

“It’s amazing to look at how the market has grown and evolved over the last four years,” he said. “She has been instrumental in uniting the various constituencies who have a vested interest in the High Point market and bringing order and organization to the Authority.”

With regard to Miller, who had headed IFHC for 20 years, he will continue to serve on the Furnishing Center’s board as well as act as a consultant to management.

Tom Lindh, IFHC’s president and COO, has added the CEO responsibilities to his current duties. He has been with the Center since 1999.

As for the changes announced by IHFMA, the most notable was a seven-to-one vote in favor of changing the market dates to late March/early April and late September/early October. Up to now, it had been held in mid-April and mid-October. It also changed the days in which the show is held. Starting in the fall of 2006, the market will run from Monday to Sunday; it had been Wednesday to Wednesday.

The spring 2006 market will be April 27 to May 3. The fall market will still be held in mid-October (16 to 22) in order to avoid a conflict with two religious holidays but does reflect the new show days.

Starting in 2007, the new time frame will take hold for both spring and fall markets. Dates have been determined through 2015. For a complete listing, contact IHFMA at 800/874-6492.

In addition to the date changes, the Authority has been looking into the following areas to improve the overall market experience: registration, accommodations, transportation and communications.

A universal buyer pass will now be accepted at all buildings. “This new system will enable exhibitors to better track showroom visitors,” the board said. Plans are being evaluated for a private housing program to give attendees an alternative to hotels; strategies are in progress to expand shuttle service to and from the Raleigh and Charlotte airports as well as mid-day service to hotels and possibly between the local airport and hotels, and a comprehensive communication program is being developed to ensure information about the market is widely distributed and easily accessible to all attendees.

For more information on these changes, contact IHFMA at the above toll-free number.