The decision to move Furniture Manufacturing Expo from Hickory to Charlotte resulted in the need to keep expanding the attendee base for further growth to provide both better ROI for exhibitors, and easier access for attendees.

While the show currently welcomes hundreds of key decisions makers from leading furniture manufacturers each year, this move will make it easier for those manufacturers outside of North Carolina to attend as well.

For any attendees not within driving distance of Hickory, North Carolina, they already must fly into Charlotte and then drive to Hickory. This will allow those attendees the advantage of now being able to stay in Charlotte without the added drive/costs to continue on to Hickory.

While the heart of the furniture manufacturing industry continues to revolve around North Carolina, a significant amount of manufacturing is also done in the Northeast, Mid-West, Texas, and California. The show’s goal is to expand and grow to be a must attend resource for all furniture manufacturers in the United States.

With further discussions between show management, flagship exhibitors, and the Advisory Board, the consensus is that moving to Charlotte will allow for easier show access for the furniture manufacturing industry and significant growth in both exhibitor and attendee numbers.

55% of 2026 attendees were first time participants due to the move to Charlotte.