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HIGH POINT — As the High Point Market wound down this week, buyers and exhibitors alike expressed a sense of relief.

“Honestly, I would have to say it wasn’t as bad as I thought,” said Diane Fenn, a buyer from Virginia. “It wasn’t great — it wasn’t as good as it’s been in previous years — but once you’re here there’s a sense that we’re all in it together, and what do we do?”

Many said they felt a camaraderie among the buyers, exhibitors and designers in a down market — everyone wants to make money, everyone wonders how. Talking with others in the same boat helps.

Verna Alford of Alford’s Floor & Interiors based in Canada said she’s been coming to the market since 1972. This was a down year, Alford said, but people stayed positive about it.

“It’s easier for people from outside the U.S.,” Alford said. “It’s not affecting us as much yet. But our success is still built on the American market, so we’re listening when people are down. We’re keeping track.”

Alford predicts an extended down period for the industry, but events such as market keep everyone engaged, she said.

“It will probably take 18 to 24 months for it to turn around,” she said. “But coming to the market and talking about how to get by, about what you can do that’s positive — that is important.”

The market’s seminars seemed to give focus to conversations about the industry. The week’s talks covered trends in the industry and how to serve customers who want to get more for their money in tough times.

“The people who speak at market are leaders in the industry, they’re the best minds we have,” said Jordan Sheffield, a designer from New York. “You need that even more when things are tough in the business. You want to come to market and pick peoples’ brains. Then afterward everyone can pool their knowledge and hopefully you end up with something you can use.”

Business coach Lloyd Princeton’s talk Wednesday on the state of the industry got high marks.

“He really put it all in perspective for us,” said Marcia Fischer of Carolyn Simon Interiors in New Jersey. “At the end he actually quoted from 'East of Eden’ by John Steinbeck, about there being periods of drought and periods of rain and you forget one when the other’s happening. That’s exactly how it is.”

The company’s president, Carolyn Simon, said this was her first market — and it ended up being just what she needed, even if the economy cast a shadow on things this year.

“My business has grown, and so even if the economy is bad I felt like I had to come here and see what vendors had firsthand and talk with people,” Simon said. “People are still excited about the High Point Market because this is still where everyone comes, this is still the true home of furniture.”

Contact Joe Killian at 883-4422, Ext. 228, or joe.killian@news-record.com