Attendance Dips At Spring High Point Furniture Market

Fewer people attended the High Point Furniture Market this spring compared to a year ago, according to new numbers released Friday.

The High Point Market Authority, which oversees the twice-yearly event, says 79,376 people registered for the Spring Market.

But a year ago, the number hit 80,300. That includes buyers, exhibitors, media and others.

While the organizers did not give a reason for the drop in Friday's report, they had previously warned that the state's controversial House Bill 2 would hurt business.

In late March, the Market Authority said it had already heard from dozens of customers who had cancelled their plans to attend the April event because of HB2.

The twice-a-year furniture show has been cited as the largest economic event in North Carolina. According to a Duke University study, the market's annual impact exceeds $5 billion.

The next market takes place in late October.