Seminar and displays communicate top trends at High Point Market

Home Accents Today Staff -- Home Accents Today, 2/28/2013 3:06:10 PM

Trend forecasting organization WGSN and International Market Centers (IMC) have partnered to bring market goers an inside look at the leading trends in the home furnishings industry through an opening day seminar and on-site displays, beginning at the upcoming spring High Point Market.

The three key macro trends that will be shared are influenced by consumer insights and creative intelligence from the interior, fashion and consumer product markets. The on-site displays will feature products exclusively by IMC exhibitors, and will showcase how these trends are influencing style and décor for home furnishings products ranging from furniture, textiles, materials and decorative accessories.

"The partnership between the International Market Centers and Homebuildlife is an exciting opportunity to inspire and engage the design community in new and interactive ways," said Greg Dunlop of WGSN. "Each season we will provide designers and manufacturers with unique home and interiors trend information about new product designs, future color direction and consumer insights. Designers attending the iconic markets in High Point will see the most future-forward trends translated into commercial products while IMC tenants will receive exclusive trend insights throughout the year."

The Trendwatch seminar will be held from 2-3 p.m. Saturday, April 20 in the IHFC Ballroom. The displays will be located in the Suites at Market Square lobby, IHFC Green Lobby and the walkway between the IHFC and Showplace.

Powered by WGSN's global research and proven heritage, Homebuildlife is "trusted by the world's leading design brands to deliver unmatched expertise across 18 home related product categories," according to a press release.

Homebuildlife builds upon the WGSN trend forecasting process, which takes macro trends from their earliest indications in the creative world, to their latest performances in the retail arena. Trends evolve constantly and Homebuildlife's unique tracking process updates trend information on a daily basis, providing links between key reports so that subscribers have a 360-degree vision of macro trends.

"We are constantly looking for new ways to add value for our customers in High Point and help them stand out among the other exhibitors at market," said Karen Olson, vice president of marketing, home furnishings for IMC. "This is a wonderful opportunity for us to showcase to buyers at market the fashion-forward, on-trend product being offered by IMC customers and drive more traffic to their showrooms."

Another feature of this exclusive partnership between IMC and Homebuildlife-WGSN is a quarterly customized trend report that is being developed specifically for IMC customers. The quarterly reports will take a longer range view to inform manufacturers' product development process by sharing macro trends in their earliest phase of inception.

"Having the leading trend forecasting organization as our exclusive trend partner provides us with knowledge and information that will be invaluable to our customers in staying ahead of consumer trends," Olson said.