HPU Students Build Professional Skills, Gain Experience at High Point Market
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Oct 30th, 2024

HPU Students Build Professional Skills, Gain Experience at High Point Market

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Emily Hellberg, a junior interior design major from Los Angeles, California, scanned a customer’s badge as he entered the Regina Andrew showroom.

HIGH POINT, N.C., Oct. 30, 2024 – High Point University students worked alongside thousands of home furnishings experts from across the globe during the High Point Market, which ran from Oct. 26-30. Students gained life skills in the furniture, design and sales sectors as they handled various job responsibilities during the home furnishings tradeshow.

Emily Hellberg, a junior interior design major from Los Angeles, California, scanned customers’ badges as they entered the Regina Andrew showroom and assisted sales representatives.

“I’m learning about the home furnishings industry and making connections with different companies,” Hellberg said. “I’m also learning what’s popular and what’s not, familiarizing myself with design trends.”

Eva Baker, a sophomore international business major from Columbus, Ohio, took on additional duties while working for Currey & Company.
Eva Baker, a sophomore international business major from Columbus, Ohio, took on additional duties while working for Currey & Company.

Working in the Currey & Company showroom for a second time brought increased responsibilities for Eva Baker, a sophomore international business major with minors in finance and Spanish from Columbus, Ohio. After she worked during the spring furniture market, she stayed in touch with the woman who became the company’s North Carolina sales representative.

“It was exciting to build that connection and try something new,” Baker said. “I’ve been introduced to some of the corporate people who are doing the international aspects. Also, just by building my network and talking to so many people from North Carolina, I’ve already been offered jobs after college with design firms. It’s just expanding my palette. I love the business side, but also being able to learn about design and the creative aspects.”

Shannon Spilman, a senior interior design major from Hunt Valley, Maryland, toured customers through the Arteriors showroom.
Shannon Spilman, a senior interior design major from Hunt Valley, Maryland, toured customers through the Arteriors showroom.

Shannon Spilman, a senior interior design major from Hunt Valley, Maryland, also appreciated the opportunity to work again in the Arteriors showroom.

“Continuously working at Arteriors during High Point Furniture Market has provided me with insightful experiences and knowledge, which will be beneficial for my career and future as an interior designer,” Spilman said. “Working for Arteriors has allowed me to build valuable relationships with industry professionals and sales representatives that I’m likely to work with in the future. The unique and intricate showroom items also inspire me and increase my knowledge about the materials and products being shown. This position has also improved my customer service capabilities in addition to grasping market trends and popular products. Finally, by seeing and engaging with the designers who visit the showroom, I have learned useful techniques and tools to use in future furniture markets I attend.”

Pictured from left are HPU students who worked in the Bernhardt Furniture showroom, including Giana Marielli, a junior sport management major from New York, New York; Madeline Kline, a senior interior design major from Fort Myers, Florida; Sophia Boucher, a junior fashion merchandising major from Richmond, Virginia; and Raegan Lowder, a senior interior design major from Salisbury, North Carolina.
Pictured from left are HPU students who worked in the Bernhardt Furniture showroom, including Giana Marielli, a junior sport management major from New York, New York; Madeline Kline, a senior interior design major from Fort Myers, Florida; Sophia Boucher, a junior fashion merchandising major from Richmond, Virginia; and Raegan Lowder, a senior interior design major from Salisbury, North Carolina.

 Sophia Boucher, a junior fashion merchandising major from Richmond, Virginia, was inspired while working for a second time at the Bernhardt Furniture showroom.

 “I have learned responsibility, respectfulness, teamwork and how to communicate, whether it’s in person or not,” Boucher said. “This experience has shown me a look into the industry. Whether it be sales, communications, design and design choices, I have been able to observe and learn from so many inspiring and hardworking people.”

Other HPU senior interior design majors who worked in the Bernhardt showroom included Madeline Kline from Fort Myers, Florida, and Raegan Lowder from Salisbury, North Carolina. Giani Marielli, a junior sport management major from New York, New York, worked with them and made connections with people from her hometown during her time at the tradeshow.

Working for a fifth High Point Market in the Loloi Rugs showroom provided a broad perspective for Danielle Pellegrino, a senior social media and digital communications major from Wayne, New Jersey. She saw how important social media is to a successful business.

Pictured from left in the Loloi Rugs showroom are Morgan Franzoni, a sophomore graphic design major from Cumberland, Rhode Island; Danielle Pellegrino, a senior social media and digital communications major from Wayne, New Jersey; and Amy Loving, a sophomore business administration major from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Pictured from left in the Loloi Rugs showroom are Morgan Franzoni, a sophomore graphic design major from Cumberland, Rhode Island; Danielle Pellegrino, a senior social media and digital communications major from Wayne, New Jersey; and Amy Loving, a sophomore business administration major from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Morgan Franzoni, a sophomore graphic design major with a minor in fashion design from Cumberland, Rhode Island, sharpened her skills and made professional connections in the home furnishings industry while working for Loloi during her first High Point Market.

“Guests, buyers or exhibitors, every single one of them has helped me develop different skills and gain an understanding about an actual real job in the outside world,” Franzoni said. “Especially with design, it’s hard because you may have some ideas and you’re trying to flaunt them, but you don’t want anyone to take them. It’s important to learn how to be able to market yourself.”

Pictured from left in the Caracole showroom are Gabrielle Tita, a senior marketing major from Durham, North Carolina; Jay Griffin, a senior interior design major from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Ginny Vincent, a senior interior design major from Durham, North Carolina; Jaime Leon, a senior political science major from Boca Raton, Florida; and Mary Kate Hewitt, a senior interior design major from Hamden, Connecticut.
Pictured from left in the Caracole showroom are Gabrielle Tita, a senior marketing major from Durham, North Carolina; Jay Griffin, a senior interior design major from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Ginny Vincent, a senior interior design major from Durham, North Carolina; Jaime Leon, a senior interior design major from Boca Raton, Florida; and Mary Kate Hewitt, a senior interior design major from Hamden, Connecticut.

Mary Kate Hewitt, a senior interior design major from Hamden, Connecticut, was one of the HPU students who toured customers through the Caracole showroom. Other HPU students conducting tours included Gabrielle Tita, a senior marketing major from Durham, North Carolina; Jay Griffin, a senior interior design major from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Ginny Vincent, a senior interior design major from Durham, North Carolina; and Jaime Leon, a senior political science major from Boca Raton, Florida.

“I feel like I definitely got to gain my customer service skills by trying to meet the wants and needs of our clients and try to make sure they’re happy and they walk away with a smile on their face, because that puts a smile on my face,” said Amy Loving, a sophomore business administration major from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, who was working her second High Point Market at the Loloi showroom.