Spring 2000
A group of High Point city officials and furniture industry executives begin serious discussions about creating a public-private partnership to run the city's twice-yearly furniture market.
February 2001
The group announces plans to establish the International Home Furnishings Market Authority to oversee the market. The organization would be funded, in part, by a new tax on showroom space and an additional hotel-motel tax on lodging within the High Point city limits. Kincaid Furniture President Steve Kincaid is named interim chairman of a nine-member governing board.
March 2001
The North Carolina House of Representatives passes a bill allowing the city of High Point to levy the two new taxes.
April 2001
The North Carolina Senate passes the same bill, which is then signed into law by Gov. Mike Easley.
June 2001
The H.P. City Council approves a contract with the Market Authority, allowing it to spend money generated by the two new taxes. It also approved the group's first budget of $1.48 million for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2002.
July 2001
The Market Authority officially begins running the market. At the board's first public meeting the following week, it hires Judy Mendenhall as its first full-time staff member.
August 2001
Mendenhall, a former High Point mayor and Chamber of Commerce executive, begins her new job as president of the Market Authority.
January 2002
The Authority signs an $885,000 contract with Raleigh, N.C.-based McLaurin Parking Co. to operate the market's shuttle system in April and October 2002.
February 2002
The Authority launches a new Web site, www.highpointmarket.org. The site includes detailed hotel listings and maps of shuttle bus routes.
