HIGH POINT, NORTH CAROLINA -- The Fall Furniture Market is back in High Point, bringing with it upwards of 75,000 industry professionals.

• Exhibitors fill more than 11 million square feet of show space in nearly 200 buildings
• Professionals base half their year off the market
• The market continues through Thursday

Twice a year, buyers designers and architects from around the world descend on the city for the world's largest furnishing industry trade show.

The event enlivens downtown High Point with exhibitors filling more than 11 million square feet of show space in nearly 200 buildings.

It's a huge week for the city but also a critical one in defining the direction of the industry, with professionals basing half their year off the market.

"You plan your day around the vendors you want to see and who has the best breakfast and lunch or the relationships you're building on. There's just a ton of product to see. You really need about three of four days to get a good handle on everything," said Bruce Hirschaut, owner of Furniture Design Development.

The market continues through Thursday. A Duke University study found spring and fall markets make more than $5 billion in economic impact each year.