Coronavirus Likely To Prevent China From Attending High Point Furniture Market

China will likely not be represented at the upcoming High Point Furniture Market. Coronavirus fears are expected to impact overall attendance.

The semiannual furniture event usually attracts up to 80,000 attendees, many from other countries.

The News & Record reports that China will likely sit out this year's market, which begins on April 25th.

The country, which would normally send the second-largest contingent of furniture buyers and exhibitors, has been paralyzed by the virus, which originated there. Many factories in China have been shut down, and international business travel has been severely restricted.

Tom Conley, president and CEO of the High Point Market Authority, says that no industry people or businesses from China have registered for the event.

It remains to be seen how many other countries will restrict business travel. Canada is usually the market's top source of international attendees. Conley says Canadian registration is actually higher than it was during the previous event last spring.