Editing High Point, North Carolina (section)

===The High Point Market===
The High Point Market is the largest home furnishings industry trade show in the world, with over 11 million square feet (1&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>) and about 2,000 exhibitors throughout about 180 buildings.  The market holds two major shows each year, and attracts between 70,000 and 80,000 attendees.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.highpointmarket.org/experiencemarket/reasonstoattend|title=HPMKT At A Glance|work=High Point Market Authority|accessdate=June 17, 2023}}</ref> A 2018 [[Duke University]] study showed that the market contributed $6.7 billion to the area's economy.<ref name=Cancel>{{cite news|title=High Point Market Authority cancels spring trade show; first time since World War II|last=Craver|first=Richard|work=[[Winston-Salem Journal]]|date=April 17, 2020|page=1A}}</ref> In May 2011, the High Point Market and the Las Vegas [[World Market Center]] were combined into the new firm International Market Centers (IMC).<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/launch-of-international-market-centers-creates-premier-b-to-b-platform-for-the-home-furnishings-and-gift-industries-121155344.html|title=Launch of International Market Centers Creates Premier B-to-B Platform for the Home Furnishings and Gift Industries|work=PRNewsWire|date=May 3, 2011|accessdate=June 14, 2023}}</ref> In September 2017, [[Blackstone Inc.]] and Fireside Investments purchased IMC, which at the time owned 14 buildings totaling 6.7 million square feet, over 50% of the downtown.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.furnituretoday.com/business-news/blackstone-completes-acquisition-imc|title=Blackstone completes acquisition of IMC|work=[[Furniture Today]]|date=September 28, 2017|accessdate=June 14, 2023}}</ref>