SBA offers total forgiveness for loans of $50,000 or less, helping PPP small-business borrowers   If you borrowed $50,000 or less, your loan’s forgiven — period. But will you owe taxes? Business owners who borrowed $50,000 or less through the Small Business Administration’s emergency loan program learned last week that their debts are forgiven entirely […]

This pandemic has made us appreciate many folks that are often ignored in normal days. Of course, there are the healthcare workers who are exposed to the pandemic dangers, the emergency workers, the volunteers and then there are the people stocking the shelves at necessary retailers, the folks making deliveries to our homes and, of course, the […]

HIGH POINT, N.C., October 5, 2020 — With just a little over a week to go until the opening of the Fall 2020 High Point Market, exhibitors are weighing in the status of their showrooms. To date, 70% of active exhibitor profiles have confirmed their doors will be open for the event. Attendees wanting to […]

  Strong demand favors strongest retail partners and other takeaways from the record event Heraclitus, the ancient Greek philosopher, hit the nail on the head when he noted that the only constant in life is change. Nowhere was that more obvious than at this week’s Premarket. In the not so distant past, 70-80 exhibitors would […]

As part of our ongoing mission to make our members as successful as possible, IHFRA recently fielded a survey with leading retailers in order to take the pulse of their businesses in light of the pandemic—and to find out how reps can better serve them. What follows is a summary report of the survey findings, […]

Guest blog: Reflections post Premarket Strong demand favors strongest retail partners and other takeaways from the record event Heraclitus, the ancient Greek philosopher, hit the nail on the head when he noted that the only constant in life is change. Nowhere was that more obvious than at this week’s Premarket. In the not so distant […]

HIGH POINT, N.C., September 17, 2020 — High Point Market Authority officials, building owners, and exhibitors are busily preparing for the upcoming Fall Market, scheduled for October 13-21, as consumer demand for home furnishings continues to increase. The latest Furniture Insights newsletter from Smith Leonard Accountants and Consultants notes, “New orders in June were 30% […]

Don’t miss this important webinar featuring Jerry Epperson Moderated by Ron Cooper Everyone’s favorite furniture industry expert Jerry Epperson will take a deep dive into where we are now as an industry and where we are likely to be in the near future. Who will come out of this pandemic smelling like a rose snd […]

We have received several emails regarding High Point Market in October. A lot of you have asked questions regarding how the schedule is going to work, how Covid concerns are being addressed, whether or not their will be food or events etc. We have done our best to find answers to all of these questions […]

To: All IHFRA Members Fr: Ray Allegrezza Re: Status of October High Point Market   I hope this note finds you and your families well and healthy.   I just got off the phone with Tom Conley, our friend and President and CEO of the High Point Market Authority and feel compelled to share the content […]

Yesterday’s tried-and-true may be today’s tried-and-failed As someone who has been in the home furnishings business most of my life, I’ve concluded that there are basically four groups of people on our playing field: Group 1. People who never see change coming. Group 2. People who see change coming, but don’t respond to it. Group […]

Recently, the HFA sent this note to members advising them of issues that could impact retailers, and by extension, reps.   Please take a moment to read the note that the HFA sent out and help support them.   As Congress and the administration debate the details of a new coronavirus recovery bill, you must make […]

  COVID-19-Latest Update – Return To Work Certificate – Group Pricing   COVID-19 Training For Employees: A Certificate For Healthy Workspaces  On-Demand Recording Authorized OSHA Outreach Trainer Michele Mathews will show your employees how to stay safe and reduce risk in the workplace. By registering all your employees, you can create a foundation of common […]

Industry associations offer statement of support for fall market schedule HIGH POINT — Three industry associations are lending their support to the High Point Market Authority for its three-period safe attendance plan for fall High Point Market, set for Oct. 13-21. Three association leaders — Andy Counts, American Home Furnishings Alliance; Sharron Bradley, Home Furnishings […]

SBA Finally Clarifies PPP Loan Forgiveness Rules: Full Forgiveness For Self-Employed Borrowers   (Updated June 17 8:45am ET: Adding information about the SBA’s new Forgiveness Applications.) If you’re a freelancer or other self-employed person wondering if you’ll get forgiveness for loans taken out under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), yesterday brought good news. The SBA […]

By Jeff Drew Today The U.S. Senate passed the House version of Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) legislation Wednesday night, tripling the time allotted for small businesses and other PPP loan recipients to spend the funds and still qualify for forgiveness of the loans. The bill passed in a unanimous voice vote hours after Wisconsin Sen. […]

Knowing the impact the Covid-19 virus has had on the home furnishings industry, IHFRA has published a series of interviews with key retailers, reps and manufacturers in order to bring you their respective observations, responses and strategies.    This is our final installment—a conversation with Tom Conley, CEO of the High Point Market Authority.    […]

To read the executive summary, click the following link: IMC RETAILER’S SURVEY

High Point Financial Design provides information helpful to track your PPP loan. If you’re here, it’s probably because you have some questions about the SBA PPP loan program. Lucky for you, we’ve compiled some information that we think will be very helpful to you. READ MORE

High Point Market Authority Expands Fall 2020 Market Dates HIGH POINT, N.C., May 21, 2020 — In response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the High Point Market Authority is expanding the Fall Market dates in an effort to spread out attendance and account for expected reduced capacity requirements for showrooms and buildings. Fall Market will now […]

Posted on May 19, 2020 by Leflein Team BY RAY ALLEGREZZA   If there was ever any doubt regarding the severity of Covid-19 on independent home furnishings reps, just-released survey from market research leader Leflein Associates, confirms the toll the virus is having on their businesses. According to the just-released survey, taken by Leflein among […]

ATLANTA/LAS VEGAS – (May 15, 2020) – Following a comprehensive survey of its universe of gift and home furnishings buyers and suppliers, International Market Centers (IMC) announced today updates to its summer 2020 markets in Atlanta and Las Vegas. IMC is postponing both markets until August, with Atlanta Market now running August 13 – 18 […]

Without a doubt, the Covid-19 virus has upset everyone’s cart.  To help you see the big picture from a number of different perspectives, IHFRA has talked to directional retailers and suppliers to get their perspectives on the virus and its impact on our business. Last time, we spoke to David Gunn of Texas-based Knight Furniture […]

Recently, IHFRA Executive Director Ray Allegrezza was asked to give an overview to A-America.  The topic was titled “Life After Covid 19—Putting The Pieces Back Together”.   To listen to Ray’s presentation, click the link below LISTEN HERE

VICTOR ANTONIO Selling & Presenting Via Video Description The NEW essential skill in SELLING is being able to do a PRESENTATION VIA VIDEO. As we move to a more distance-centric sales environment, we are being forced to use tools like Zoom or other video conferencing platforms to connect, convince, and close a client. Face-to-Face conversations […]

Tuesday May 5th 11:00 am EST Join us to hear from Karen Yankovich, CEO of Uplevel Media, and learn how to utilize your LinkedIn network to grow your business. During this 1-hour webinar, you’ll learn: Why now is the time to build the network of your dreams Being intentional in your connection requests Get to […]

Dozens of states have announced plans to relax social distancing restrictions aimed at curbing the spread of the coronavirus – but few have yet to enact major changes. Georgia has become a high-profile outlier after it set in motion aggressive plans to ease stay-at-home restrictions over the objection of some local officials and even President Donald Trump. Gov. Brian Kemp announced that gyms, tattoo parlors, hair […]

 Advisor HR Secures PPP benefits for its IHFRA Partners using the Advisorirep.com Business Services (IHFRA members who use the Advisor IREP program for business services including payroll, HR, compliance, health benefits, retirement planning, and business insurances received the PPP.)   While we all know times are incredibly tough, there is light at the end of […]

NC Department of Employment Security (DES) has announced that as of April 24th 2020, unemployment benefits are now available for self-employed and contracted employees. The program is called Pandemic unemployment Assistance. You may be eligible to collect unemployment for lost wages, check  your local DES to see if these benefits are available in your state. […]

If you are an independent contractor or self-employed, you may be eligible for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans/grants, SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL), and/or Unemployment Compensation for losses of income related to the coronavirus pandemic READ MORE

April 22, 2020 The Honorable Mike Pence The White House Office of the Vice President Washington, DC 20500 RE: PPP Availability to small businesses Dear Mr. Vice President: On behalf of the 1,500 members who are the backbone of IHFRA (Independent Home Furnishings Representatives Association), I want to begin by wishing you and your family continued good health and […]

Contact: Ashley D. Grigg Director of Marketing and Communicationsashley@highpointmarket.org 336.888.3236 High Point Market Authority Cancels Postponed Spring Market HIGH POINT, N.C., April 16, 2020 — Due to ongoing impacts, government restrictions, and economic difficulties stemming from the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the High Point Market Authority announces the cancelation of the Spring 2020 High Point Market. […]

Thank you to everyone that showed interest in or attended the Webinar last Thursday with Victor Antonio from Sales Velocity Academy. The response was incredible and I received so many positive responses and requests for notes and the recorded link. As promised here is the link and the PDF. Per Victors request please direct anyone […]

Thursday April 16th at 1:00 pm PDT/4:00 pm EDT.   Join us and bring your questions along. REGISTER HERE I hope you are doing as well as can be expected and seeing some light at the end of the tunnel. Like everyone else I am sure you are trying to figure out what the “new […]

Leading Texas Retailer Talks Covid-19, Strategies, Survival and Common Sense In his 32 years as CEO and owner of Sherman-Texas based Knight Furniture, David Gunn has seen it all—good times, bad times and everything in between. During that time, his business savvy has been recognized both locally and nationally. In 2016, Gunn was awarded the […]

Blog: What’s a sales rep to do when all the retailers and factories have shut down? Mike Root In this newest challenge to business called coronavirus or COVID-19, there are all kinds of stories of businesses closing. The furniture industry right now has both a supply problem and a demand problem. Many factories have closed […]

As our ongoing mission to best represent our members, IHFRA has joined forces with the AHFA and HFA in sending a letter to Vice President Pence requesting that the home furnishing sector be considered “essential.“ Here is the letter:      FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                                         FOR MORE INFORMATION: April 6, 2020                                                                           Patricia […]

March 31, 2020 THE SCALISE CAPITOL REPORT BREAKING NEWS for Small Businesses The CARES Act – the third Coronavirus bill – was signed into law by President Trump on Friday, March 27th.This bill created the Paycheck Protection Program, a nearly $350 billion program to provide eight weeks of cash-flow assistance to small businesses through 100 percent federally […]

As cases of and deaths from Covid-19 continue to climb in the United States, officials are implementing travel restrictions to try to stop the coronavirus from spreading. Read in CNN: https://apple.news/Af9JCRyM2Qga4JjOHbSyk6Q

Seeking to help our members understand the CARES Act, IHFRA reached out to its attorney, Adam Glazer at the renowned law firm of Schoenberg, Finkel, Newman and Rosenberg LLC. Mr. Glazer graciously broke the Act down to the following primary components for our members: Loan Assistance: An eligible self-employed individual, independent contractor, or sole proprietorship seeking […]

Coronavirus Emergency Loans Small Business  Guide and Checklist Prepared by the US Chamber of Commerce Click below to open pdf US Chamber SBA PPP Loan Breakdown

We know this is short notice but as the stimulus package just passed we wanted to get information out now. HFA is ready to host a webinar right away with Chris Andresen. Please join in if at all possible. Here is the link. 1pm PST/3pm CST/4pm EST President Trump will sign into law today an […]

Coronavirus Live Updates: House Passes $2 Trillion Relief Bill NY TIMES President Trump, who had questioned the need for additional ventilators, pushes industry to make more. A new survey of mayors finds dire shortages of urgently needed medical supplies. And in Britain, Prime Minister Boris Johnson tested positive. RIGHT NOW The House passed the $2 […]

FORTUNE FINANCECORONAVIRUS  How small-business owners and the self-employed can take advantage of the coronavirus stimulus package BY KATE ROCKWOOD March 26, 2020 1:46 PM EST At a whopping 57 million, self-employed people make up a huge piece of the country’s economic puzzle. But during a global pandemic, when business starts drying up, those who work for […]

The Senate Just Passed a $2 Trillion Coronavirus Stimulus Package. Here’s What’s in It BY ALANA ABRAMSON AND PHILIP ELLIOTT UPDATED: MARCH 26, 2020 9:17 AM EDT | ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED: MARCH 25, 2020 8:31 PM EDAfter days of intense and dramatic negotiations, the Senate passed a landmark $2 trillion relief package for millions of Americans […]

A helpful article from Tony Nitti Senior Contributor at Forbes.  Congress Reaches Agreement On A Coronavirus Relief Package: Tax Aspects Of The CARES Act A nation desperate for any reason for optimism got just that on Wednesday evening, with word that Congress had finally agreed upon a stimulus package designed to reverse the devastating impact of the COVID-19 […]