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From: Dave Miranda [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Wednesday, April 20, 2016 2:20 PM To: Dave Miranda Subject: McCrory Skips Furniture Market Amid HB2 Backlash [cid:[email protected]] FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Wednesday, April 20, 2016 CONTACT: Dave Miranda, 919.408.7430 or [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> McCrory Skips Furniture Market Amid HB2 Backlash Subhead HIGH POINT, N.C. - The annual spring furniture market - worth $5.3 billion to North Carolina's economy - comes to a close today after a week of uncertainty and boycotts due to the state's new discriminatory law, HB2. Vendors and buyers alike noted smaller than usual foot traffic and crowds as dozens of groups pledged not to attend in protest of the measure. Also missing? Governor Pat McCrory, who signed the bill. Every year since entering office, Gov. McCrory has attended the High Point Market to tout North Carolina's furniture industry. However, in the wake of signing HB2, the governor has kept his distance as market leaders have dealt with the economic fallout from the bill. "Not only has Governor McCrory put our economy at risk, but he's apparently unwilling to face any of the consequences of his actions. The High Point Furniture Market represents one of North Carolina's largest economic engines - something Governor McCrory is usually quick to tout. It's telling that the governor is missing in action this week after his law potentially cost North Carolina furniture vendors millions of dollars in profits. It's time for Governor McCrory to quit focusing on divisive social issues and put the good of our economy first," said NCDP spokesman Dave Miranda. Gov. McCrory is normally a regular at the High Point Market so his absence was particularly notable: MCCRORY HAS MADE HIGH-PROFILE VISITS TO THE HIGH POINT MARKET EVERY YEAR OF HIS GOVERNORSHIP 2013: McCrory Attended The High Point Market, Met With 38 Furniture Executives To "Continue Dialogue" On What He Said Was An Accidental Cut To Funding For The Market, And Held A Media Availability. According to Furniture Today, "North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory met with furniture executives on the opening day of market to continue a dialogue that started with what he said was an unintended move to cut the budget for the High Point Market Authority. [...] He met with 38 of those executives at market Saturday to discuss the budget issue, among other topics ranging from the North Carolina economy to state education policy matters and regulatory issues. 'We want to make North Carolina more business friendly,' he said, adding that he wants to see businesses feel more like customers rather than adversaries." According to the High Point Enterprise, "After his private meeting, McCrory will meet with media representatives at the International Home Furnishings Center, the market authority announced Tuesday." [Furniture Today, 4/21/13<http://www.furnituretoday.com/article/381237-nc-gov-mccrory-meets-with-furniture-execs-at-high-point-market>, High Point Enterprise, 4/16/13<http://www.wxii12.com/news/local-news/piedmont/Gov-Pat-McCrory-to-attend-High-Point-Market/19768030>] 2014: McCrory Attended The High Point Market And Met With CEOs, Did An On-Camera Interview With Furniture Today, Held A Media Availability, And Touted His Visit In Multiple Media Releases. According to a McCrory administration press release, "Governor Pat McCrory praised the economic and cultural impact of the Fall 2014 High Point Market today during a visit to the furniture exposition. 'The High Point Market is more than a trade show,' Governor McCrory said. 'With its colorful history and economic benefits, it's become part of North Carolina's culture and has made High Point the furniture capital of the world.' The governor toured the Klaussner Home Furnishings and Vanguard Furniture Co. showrooms, at 101 North Hamilton Street and 301 North Hamilton Street, respectively. During his visit he spoke to Bill Wittenberg, president and CEO, Klaussner Home Furnishings, John Bray, CEO, Vanguard Furniture and Doug Bassett, Chairman of the Board of Directors, High Point Market Authority and President, Vaughan Bassett Furniture." [McCrory press release, 10/20/14<https://governor.nc.gov/press-release/governor-mccrory-touts-furniture-market%E2%80%99s-impact-during-visit>, McCrory press release with video, 10/21/14<https://governor.nc.gov/video/governor-pat-mccrory-high-point-furniture-market-boon-economy> Furniture Today Video, 10/21/14<http://www.furnituretoday.com/videoseries/450-fall-2014-high-point-market>] 2015: McCrory Attended The High Point Market And Did An On-Camera Interview With Furniture Today, Congressman Mark Walker, High Point Mayor Bill Bencini And President Of MT Company George Jordan. "Bill McLoughlin, editor-in-chief of Furniture/Today, sits down with North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory, Congressman Mark Walker, High Point Mayor Bill Bencini and George Jordan, president of MT Company to discuss new programs aimed at helping support furniture industry growth. In a one-on-one interview with F/T at the High Point Market, the government officials discuss the future of furniture education and the role of government in fostering industry growth." [Furniture Today (with video), 4/20/15<http://www.furnituretoday.com/article/517618-video-coverage-spring-2015-high-point-market>] MCCRORY HAS TOUTED THE HIGH POINT MARKET'S ECONOMIC IMPACT-NOW AT RISK THANKS TO HB2 McCrory Release HEADLINE: "Governor Pat McCrory: 'High Point Furniture Market is a Boon for the Economy.'" [McCrory press release, 10/21/14<https://governor.nc.gov/video/governor-pat-mccrory-high-point-furniture-market-boon-economy>] McCrory Release HEADLINE: "Governor McCrory Touts Furniture Market's Impact During Visit." [McCrory press release, 10/20/14<https://governor.nc.gov/press-release/governor-mccrory-touts-furniture-market%E2%80%99s-impact-during-visit>] * McCrory, Quoted In Press Release: "The High Point Market Is More Than A Trade Show, With Its Colorful History And Economic Benefits, It's Become Part Of North Carolina's Culture." "Governor Pat McCrory praised the economic and cultural impact of the Fall 2014 High Point Market today during a visit to the furniture exposition. 'The High Point Market is more than a trade show,' Governor McCrory said. 'With its colorful history and economic benefits, it's become part of North Carolina's culture and has made High Point the furniture capital of the world.'" [McCrory press release, 10/20/14<https://governor.nc.gov/press-release/governor-mccrory-touts-furniture-market%E2%80%99s-impact-during-visit>] The High Point Furniture Market Is North Carolina's Single Largest Economic Event, Drawing 600,000 Visitors And More Than $5 Billion To North Carolina's Economy. "A Duke University study in 2013 dubbed the furniture expo as North Carolina's single largest economic event, drawing about 600,000 visitors and generating more than $5 billion for the state's economy each year." [CNN, 3/28/16<http://money.cnn.com/2016/03/28/news/economy/north-carolina-bathroom-bill-high-point/index.html>] High Point Market Authority, Which Bills Itself "As The Largest Furniture Show In The World," Now Facing "A Raft Of Cancellations For This Year's Show." "The High Point Market Authority, which runs what it bills as the largest furniture show in the world, said it was facing a raft of cancellations for this year's show, set to open in two weeks. "Based on the reaction in just the last few days, hundreds and perhaps thousands of our customers will not attend market this April," the authority said. It estimates the overall economic impact of the show, which typically attracts about 75,000 people to High Point, at over $5 billion." [New York Times, 3/31/16<http://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/01/business/corporate-north-carolina-perks-up-against-discrimination.html?_r=0>] High Point Market Officials: HB2 Will Cause "Significant Economic Damage" As "Hundreds, And Perhaps Thousands, Of Our Customers Will Not Attend Market This April." "There was no immediate comment from the McCrory administration or his re-election campaign on the High Point Market statement. 'As leaders and organizers of the High Point Market, we feel an obligation to inform the public and our government leaders in Raleigh of the significant economic damage that HB2 is having on the High Point Market and on the North Carolina economy,' market officials said in a statement. 'Based on the reaction in just the last few days, hundreds, and perhaps thousands, of our customers will not attend market this April.'" [Winston-Salem Journal, 3/28/16<http://www.journalnow.com/news/local/high-point-market-says-house-bill-leading-to-cancelled-plans/article_553e8d55-a502-5c9b-b5f8-a5f3ffe459b1.html>] High Point Market Losses Have Been Projected At $143.4 Million. According to the Center for American Progress, "At risk pending repeal of H.B. 2: Braeburn Pharmaceuticals: $27.6 million Red Ventures: $15.9 million NCAA: $10 million NBA: $195 million ESPN: $50 million High Point Market: $143.4 million Charlotte hotel revenue from potential relocated events: $15.3 million 16 events in Raleigh at risk of being canceled: $24 million" [Center for American Progress, 4/13/16<https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/lgbt/news/2016/04/13/135391/north-carolinas-discriminatory-h-b-2-threatens-more-than-half-billion-dollars-in-economic-activity/>] * Denver-Based HW Home's Decision Not To Attend The High Point Market Alone Cost North Carolina $5,000 In Rental Cars And Restaurants, And $1 Million That The Company Would've Spent On Products. [Charlotte Observer, 4/16/16<http://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/politics-government/article72244177.html>] * An Owner Of A High-End Indiana Gallery Who Spent $150,000 At 2015's High Point Market Did Not Attend This Year Due To HB2. According to WFMY, "An article this week by marketplace.org<http://marketplace.org> quoted the owner of a high-end gallery in Indiana. The man said he's not going back this year because of HB2. Last year, he spent $150,000 on products at the market. And that's just one customer." [WFMY, 4/5/16<http://www.wfmynews2.com/news/local/hb2-affecting-local-economy-jobs/121513225>] ### The North Carolina Democratic Party (NCDP) is the North Carolina affiliate of the Democratic Party. NCDP works to elect Democratic public officials, encourages North Carolinians to become involved in Democratic politics, and fights for equality, opportunity and prosperity for all North Carolinians. [cid:[email protected]] Dave Miranda Communications Director North Carolina Democratic Party Email: [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> Phone: 919.821.2777 Visit www.ncdp.org<http://www.ncdp.org> to make a secure online contribution or mail contributions to PO Box 1926 Raleigh, NC 27602