DATE
October 13-17, 2023
LOCATION
HFA Resource Center, Showroom 1-527 in Plaza Suites
During each High Point Furniture market, the Home Furnishings Association’s Resource Center is located in Plaza Suites, Showroom 1-527, and is filled with opportunities to learn how to grow your business, for HFA members and non-members alike. Drop in for a cup of coffee, or snacks, and meet with our Showroom Exhibitors, who are experts in their field ready to help solve your pain points and offer discounts and specials to HFA members, like member-only Synchrony consumer financing rates and more! Network with like-minded peers, and enjoy a variety of seminars that cover the most important aspects of being a competitive retailer in today’s market.
HFA RESOURCE CENTER HOURS
Breakfast 8:00am – 10:30am
Lunch 11:45pm – 1:30pm
Snacks 2:00pm – 4:00pm
Fri. 10/13 9:00am – 5:00pm
Barista 7:30am – 4:00pm
Sat. 10/14 – Mon. 10/16 8:00am – 5:00pm
Barista 7:30am – 4:00pm
Tues. 10/17 8:00am – 3:00pm
Barista 8:00am – 12:00pm
Wed. 10/18 CLOSED
Free Seminars
HFA MARKET SEMINAR SERIES
Our showroom is filled with opportunities to learn how to grow your business. Meet us at the HFA Resource Center and enjoy a variety of seminars that cover the most important aspects of being a competitive retailer in today’s market. Click on each day below to see each daily list of seminars you won’t want to miss!
Friday, October 13
9:30 am – 10:30 am
The Digital Service Experience: Blending Technology and Customer Care
Dominik Lysaght, Service Technologies
Discover the power of integrating Service and Technology to surpass after-the-sale customer service expectations. Explore the benefits of utilizing innovative tools like virtual technicians, field service management, and automated communication to enhance the customer experience, strengthen your brand, and optimize operational cost efficiency.
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11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Internal Loss Prevention: Focusing on Logistics, Supply Chain, and Inventory Management
Greg Strosnider, STORIS
Unknown losses across an entire supply chain can eat away at your bottom line. A cornerstone of the best practices for internal loss prevention has always been technology and the systems it supports. Today we’ll discuss modern strategies, emerging technologies, and a scalable solution to shrinkage. We will highlight real-world examples from our Operational Audits conducted at major retailers all over the US. Learn how to reduce errors, from the receiving department to the showroom floor!
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1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Why product visuals are crucial to customer conversion in 2023
Dennis Gatts, Nfinite
Discover the power of product imagery in online shopping. 88% of consumers agree that eye-catching visuals are a key factor when making purchasing decisions. Join us for an insightful session where we will analyze the changing expectations of consumers and delve into the data comparing trends from year to year. Learn how retailers can effectively adapt to the rising demands and leverage stronger product visuals to drive better business outcomes.
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2:30 pm – 3:30 pm
Increase Sales by 3X on Your Online Store
Prerna Malhotra, Avataar
Discover the game-changing potential of 3D and Augmented Reality for transforming the online buying experience. Gain valuable insights into the industry’s driving forces and learn how to harness technology to captivate your customers and increase sales online.
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4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Real Estate Trends Impacting the Furniture Industry
Ben Haverty, Colliers
Discover the top real estate trends shaping the furniture industry. Explore the effects of changing consumer needs, dwindling property availability, increasing rents, and fluctuating interest rates. Join this session to gain valuable insights on five key trends and learn how to adapt your business accordingly.
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Saturday, October 14
9:00 am – 10:00 am
How You Can Leverage AI for Digital Marketing Strategies
Candice Lyna, Go Fish Digital
Discover the power of AI in revolutionizing your digital marketing strategies. Join us to explore the effective implementation of AI tools, such as ChatGPT, for optimal SEO, paid media, website design, and more. Be at the forefront of innovation and take your marketing initiatives to the next level.
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10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Increase Your Sales by 30% in 3 Easy Steps
Rob Ball, HFA Sales Academy
Tired of struggling to increase your sales? Imagine boosting your sales by 30% with just three simple steps. Learn how to optimize your conversion percentage, average sale, and increase traffic to your store. These three methods are proven to help you grow your business month after month. Don’t fall behind the competition, top-performing stores have already adopted this approach and are seeing huge profits.
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1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Driving Business with Proven Follow-up Strategies
Jody Seivert, One by One Companies
Take action now to battle diminishing traffic! Join us for a conversation and hands-on training session where we’ll discover two powerful techniques for reaching out to potential customers and following up with them effectively. Learn how to increase your close ratio and average sale with provided templates. Don’t wait for opportunities to come to you – go out and get them!
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2:30 pm – 3:30 pm
How to Measure Digital Marketing Return on Ad Spend
Richard Harris, Orbit Interactive
Is “above market average” or “increased traffic” enough to justify your ad spend? With digital advertising accounting for 35% to 65% of total ad spend, it’s crucial to know if you’re getting results. Learn about the tools and measurements of the top 20 digital ads to ensure your efforts are truly effective.
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4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Measuring the Success of Customer Satisfaction
Jonathan Schulman, CeXperentia
Discover the key to unlocking your future business success: analyzing the opinions of your past customers. Studies have shown that a satisfied customer is more likely to visit your business frequently, spend more money, and even refer their friends. Find out how to implement a well-defined Customer Experience model that will ensure exceptional customer satisfaction and care at every level.
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Sunday, October 15
9:00 am – 10:00 am
State of the Furniture Industry with Jerry Epperson
Jerry Epperson, Epperson Mann & Armistead
Mr. Epperson, a renowned industry veteran, is set to impart his wealth of knowledge regarding the State of the Furniture Industry including current market dynamics and strategies for staying ahead of the competition. During this highly informative seminar, he will offer insightful perspectives on recent advancements and capturing industry trends. You will gain invaluable insights into the current landscape and its projected development over the coming years.
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10:30 am – 11:30 am
Cash Flow In This Or Any Economy
Dan Jablons, Retail Smart Guys
We’ve just had 2 amazing years of retail sales, and now things are cooling off, but that does not mean that you can’t enjoy great cash flow. In this session you will learn the tools needed to make sure your store continues to generate more than enough cash to run your furniture business and help you achieve your goals.
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1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Driving Traffic with Advanced Digital Marketing Strategies
Fredy Wright, Conquest Digital Solutions
Join our seminar on driving traffic to your store with digital advertising through the power of forecasting and collected data. Learn how to harness the potential of data to optimize your marketing strategies, and maximize your store’s visibility. Discover the secrets to leveraging forecasting techniques with your digital advertising to target the right audience at the right time, effectively driving traffic and boosting sales. Gain insights into advanced digital advertising tools and tactics, and first-party, data-driven approaches. Don’t miss this opportunity to unlock the potential of digital advertising and propel your store toward success!
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2:30 pm – 3:30 pm
Selecting and Tracking the RIGHT KPIs for Success
Peter Bouyounon, Oracle NetSuite
Whether you’re launching a startup or running a well-established furniture store, tracking the right KPIs is vital for understanding organizational performance. Data-driven insights show whether you’re delighting customers, maintaining proper inventory and supply chain, how you’re doing on margins and so much more. In this session, we will explore the KPIs that new businesses should focus on to understand growth potential and spot impediments. For established businesses, we’ll focus on KPIs that measure efficiency, product quality, and customer satisfaction. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights and practical strategies that can help both new and established furniture businesses thrive in today’s dynamic landscape.
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4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Explore The Challenges in Expansion & Relocation For Furniture Stores
Julius M Feinblum, Julius Feinblum Real Estate, Inc.
Uncover the hottest real estate markets with the largest growth areas in the U.S. Learn how to effectively analyze your real estate strategy to make the optimal decision of leasing or purchasing a new store expansion. Join this session to make informed decisions for long-term success.
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Monday, October 16
9:00 am – 10:00 am
Recapture Customer Attention with Consumer Behavior Insights
Chris Hunt, Knorr Marketing
With declines in search interest, foot traffic, and economic challenges, it is crucial to understand where our customers have gone and how to recapture their attention. Explore the shifting consumer behavior in the “New Norm” and discover strategies to not only maintain but also win market share.
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10:30 am – 11:30 am
Boost Your Furniture Sales Conversion Rate
Sales Conversion Panel Discussion
Join our panel of financing experts for an informative discussion on the benefits of offering multiple financing options for furniture customers. Our experienced panelists will dive deep into the advantages of providing customers with a diverse range of financing choices spanning the consumer credit quality continuum. Discussion topics may include: Empowering consumer decision-making, expanding marketing reach, boosting sales and conversion rates, mitigating financial barriers, and navigating regulations and compliance. Get ready to participate in engaging conversations, gain practical knowledge, and connect with industry leaders who are shaping the future of retail finance.
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1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
How Innovation and Technology Can Help You Grow in Challenging Times
Ryan Blumenthal, Clientbook
Join our seminar on navigating recessions strategically in the furniture retail industry. Discover how investing wisely and embracing technology can boost productivity, mitigate the recession’s impact, and position your business for a successful recovery. Don’t retreat during challenging times – instead, transform adversity into innovation and growth. Embrace the opportunity to transform adversity into a catalyst for innovation and growth in your retail journey.
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2:30 pm – 3:30 pm
Create Personalized and Effective Marketing Campaigns DIFFERENT Than Everyone Else
Darrell Dahlberg, Orbit Interactive
What was the process behind conceiving that campaign idea? Join us for an interactive session where we unlock your creative potential to craft personalized, innovative, and impactful marketing campaigns. Embrace the opportunity to brainstorm unique ideas that set you apart from the crowd, as we explore strategies to break free from the ordinary.
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4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Discover Growth and Financial Benefits with Reinsurance Programs
Daniel DeBonville, Risk Assurance
Grow your company while reducing corporate tax, increasing customer satisfaction, and fostering store loyalty. Discover the benefits of reinsurance programs and uncover the benefits and growth opportunities it can bring to your furniture store.
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Showroom Exhibitors
Our exhibitors are experts in the furniture retailing industry and are here to help you streamline your businesses, drive more store traffic, and help you grow revenue. See the full list of exhibitors and their services below and be sure to stop by during market for market specials and to find out how they can help improve your business.
Financing
HFA Solution Partner – Progressive Leasing, LLC, is the largest and longest-tenured virtual lease-to-own provider in the United States. The company’s mission is to provide simple and affordable purchase options for credit-challenged consumers. Since the company’s founding in 1999, the NO CREDIT NEEDED lease-to-own option from Progressive Leasing has helped millions of customers with imperfect credit.
HFA Solution Partner – Acima is the only lease-to-own program that gives our 3,500+ retail partners the ability to choose between an on-site representative or a virtual approval platform. Plus, we deliver best-in-class service, seven days a week, so you can stay focused on your business and your customers.
HFA SOLUTION PARTNER – Kafene brings innovative lease-to-own purchasing options to industries like furniture, appliances, electronics, and tire and wheel products. With Kafene, your customers can apply with no credit required (and no impact on any existing score), as low as $0 down, and up to 6 months to purchase their merchandise at no extra cost! All these Kafene benefits mean that customers can BUY MORE IN YOUR STORE.
HFA Solution Partner – Snap Finance helps furniture retailers reach their full sales potential by providing financing solutions for credit-challenged customers. Whether you’re in-store, online, or both, we have a secondary financing solution for your business.
HFA Solution Partner – Synchrony offers you access to exclusive HFA low everyday rates, monthly buy-down specials, and volume rebates! Their tailored credit card programs engage your customers where they shop: in-store, online, or via mobile.
MARKET SPECIAL:
Promo: 18M WPDI
Dates: Nov 1 – Dec 15, 2023
Final Funding: Jan 1, 2024
Dealer Rate: 4.99%
Promo: 36M EPNI
Dates: Nov 1 – Dec 15, 2023
Final Funding: Jan 1, 2024
Dealer Rate: 9.99%
HFA Solution Partner – FormPiper helps retailers automate consumer financing! Their software platform integrates with your current lending options, allowing your customer to fill out a single application from any device that will then be populated over multiple forms. This empowers your sales team to swiftly and effectively handle the finance process for your customers to ensure maximum approvals.
MARKET SPECIAL:
For every demo completed at HPMKT F/23 (or booked at market and completed by October 31, 2023), FormPiper will donate $50 to City of Hope’s #PinkOutHighPoint campaign. Book your demo today with russ@formpiper.com
HFA Solution Partner – Trekstone Financial offers the lowest credit card processing rates and top-of-the-line customer service.
HFA Solution Partner – Okinus is a fast and friendly lease-purchase program provider that offers instant approvals with no credit needed. We provide much-needed options to consumers who really need them. Our approvals help good people bring home what they want when they need it – with no embarrassment of rejection or long waits for approvals.
MARKET SPECIAL:
For every demo completed at HPMKT participants will be entered for a chance to take home AirPod Pro, Beats Fit Pro, or a gift card for $200. Drawing will be held on Tuesday, October 17th at 1PM.
POINT-OF-SALE
HFA Solution Partner – Myriad Software continues to lead software innovation for home furnishing retailers, providing solutions to hundreds of retailers across North America. Their mobile platform, PointCentric, introduces a comprehensive web-based, touch navigation software considered among the most advanced Retail Management Systems in the industry.
HFA Solution Partner – STORIS’ fully integrated suite includes Point of Sale, Mobile POS, Customer Experience Management, eCommerce Solutions, Inventory Control, Supply Chain Management, Merchandising, Business Intelligence, Accounting, and more. Our dedication to product development and consistent leadership delivers a distinct competitive advantage to our furniture retaiers.
HFA Solution Partner – Furniture Wizard Furniture Wizard is a powerful and easy-to-use point-of-sale system that eliminates the tedious and time-consuming tasks associated with a store’s daily operations. From ordering to inventory to delivery and everything in between, this software streamlines every point on the sales journey. It makes everyday tasks like tagging the sales floor, resolving customer service issues, and keeping track of special orders a breeze.
HFA Solution Partner – Oracle | NetSuite is a software company that has developed an industry-leading cloud-based business management platform used by more than 34,000 fast-growing organizations across the globe. That platform consists of a suite of applications that help Retail companies run their business, analyze business performance in real-time and drive major efficiency gains and cost savings.
MARKETING/WEBSITES/CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE TECHNOLOGY
When you need to deliver a powerful, effective visual or audio message, ACA can make it happen. No project is too big or too small. Whether it’s TV and radio advertising, corporate or online videos, or even 3-D animation you need, ACA can get it done on time and within budget.
HFA Solution Partner – Renaissance is spearheading the furniture industry’s digital transformation via RenCommerce, our virtual business platform – a cloud-based ecosystem of digital tools and services designed to help you manage, market, and grow your business like never before.
HFA Solution Partner – Podium helps businesses modernize the way they interact with customers along their buying journey by providing a suite of messaging tools to help drive scalable growth.
Mail America works behind the scenes to empower your direct mail program. They respect the sensitive nature of the agency/client relationship and give you new formats, ideas, and additional tools to improve response rates.
HFA Solution Partner – Esquire Advertising offers a hyper-targeted digital advertising service focused on identifying high-value consumers with unparalleled accuracy. Our proprietary technology eliminates fraud from digital advertising and provides 1:1 attribution reporting based on household addresses. Our unique Market Analytics Dashboard gives our partners the power to understand consumer behaviors and market trends in their stores and their competitors.
PRODUCTS/SERVICES/CONSULTING
HFA Sales Academy offers a plan for success for every sales associate in the furniture industry. Our formula is designed to get your furniture into more homes! HFA Sales Academy offers the most extensive furniture sales training curriculum on the web today. You simply can’t afford NOT to have it! Our digital courses are easily accessible 24/7 via our online sales learning platform and have been specifically designed for the furniture industry.
INSURANCE/WARRANTIES/PROTECTION
HFA Solution Partner – ProtectALL USA‘s HealthySleep line of pillows, sheets, protectors, blankets, and encasements to their ProtectALL line of furniture, appliance, and electronics protection has helped retailers across the US drive revenue, customer loyalty, and brand recognition.
Guardsman Offers quality protection plans, streamlined claims submission, and the best customer service professionals in the business.
WAREHOUSE/LOGISTICS
HFA Solution Partner – J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc., a Fortune 500, S&P 500, and NASDAQ-100 company, provides safe, reliable transportation and logistics services for a variety of customers throughout North America. One of the main growth categories at J.B. Hunt is Final Mile Services, which now includes pickup in three key areas, furniture carrier partnership for line-haul, and multiple final mile offerings.
HFA Solution Partner – Gulfstream Shippers Association is an association that combines the buying power of its members to secure and maintain competitive rates from ocean carriers. Our expertise is in the home furnishings, building materials, and manufacturing industries. Gulfstream’s owners and representatives consist of former furniture, manufacturing, and building materials executives who understand the industry’s needs and timelines.
United Steel Storage, Inc. partners with clients to provide transformational services and solutions to achieve operational excellence in warehousing and logistics.
WYD Supply Chain Solution Inc. has more than 20 years of ocean freight, 3PL logistic and warehouse experience. They uphold technology-led, cross-border logistic innovations; and build logistics, warehousing, and distribution infrastructure, in major developed cities around the world.
DispatchTrack’s delivery platform is designed to help retailers optimize routes, track their deliveries from a single dashboard, gain real-time visibility, and cut carbon emissions. Fast deployment, constant cloud-based updates, and end-to-end functionality give you the tools to optimize the last mile and exceed customers’ expectations.
HFA Solution Partner – Service Technologies’ Service Hub software platform puts warranty claims management, delivery management, vendor chargebacks, parts ordering, scheduling/routing, service transparency, and increased customer communications into one single solution for furniture retailers.
HFA Solution Partner – AM Home Delivery and Trucking provides home delivery of furniture, appliances, home gym equipment, installation and removal of mattresses, and other large bulky home items. They specialize in the installation of high-end appliances.
EXPO SHOWCASE EXHIBITORS
ADL is the leading anti-hate organization in the world. Founded in 1913, its timeless mission is “to stop the defamation of the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment to all.” Today, ADL continues to fight all forms of antisemitism and bias, using innovation and partnerships to drive impact. A global leader in combating antisemitism, countering extremism, and battling bigotry wherever and whenever it happens, ADL works to protect democracy and ensure a just and inclusive society for all.
AHM Furniture Service can repair and restore your old furnishings and give your pieces a new life.
HFA Solution Partner – Avataar makes it easy for retailers to generate more sales with life-size 3D product catalogs and interactive augmented reality.
MARKET SPECIAL:
Unlock the magic of 3D and AR for your shoppers this holiday season! In addition to the 10% discount, we’re thrilled to present an exclusive offer for HFA retailers: a full month completely free when you partner with Avataar.
Introducing Bed Bath & Beyond Trade, a new way for home professionals to save!
HFA Solution Partner– Clientbook is a platform and mobile app that facilitates easy client management by furniture sales associates. By using Clientbook, retailers gain visibility and control over the customer experience, resulting in more store visits, better sales conversion rates, and higher average dollar sales.
MicroD by Revalize, provides website and ecommerce solutions, digital marketing, product visualization, and catalog data to help retailers achieve revenue growth.
Spectrum Marketing designs and executes targeted direct mail advertising and promotional campaigns that deliver superior marketing results with quantifiable ROI.
Check out photos from LAST MARKET!
