HICKORY, N.C. —March 27, 2026 — Built To Last, a new documentary celebrating Hickory’s century-long furniture heritage and the people who shaped it, premiered March 26, 2026, at the Hickory Metro Convention Center during a special event that also dedicated the newly named Lynn & Leroy Lail 
Legacy Hall.
The event brought together the family of the late Lynn and Leroy Lail, community leaders, tourism and hospitality partners, furniture executives, along with filmmaker Rebecca Branson Jones, to honor the Lail family’s lasting impact on Hickory’s furniture, hospitality, and community legacy.
“As part of the premiere celebration, the Lynn & Leroy Lail Legacy Hall was officially dedicated in recognition of the Lails’ lifelong dedication to not only the furniture and hospitality industries but also to our community,” said President and CEO of Visit Hickory and the Hickory Metro Convention Center, Mandy Hildebrand. “The hall’s naming honors their vision, service, and leadership—helping preserve the roots that continue to shape Hickory’s future.”
Built To Last explores the families and makers who established the Hickory Metro as a furniture powerhouse, highlighting the pride, skill, and community spirit that turned woodworking into a generational tradition. Through interviews, storytelling, and historic perspective, the film captures what made Hickory an industry leader — and why that legacy continues to matter today.
Brad Lail, Hickory-Conover Tourism Development Authority (HCTDA) member and son of the late Lynn and Leroy Lail, shared several stories during the event.
“It’s an honor to be the son of Lynn and Leroy and serve on the Tourism Development Board while the new Legacy Hall is named after my parents. This space is dedicated to two individuals who have not only called Catawba County home but have spent a lifetime building it. When we look at the legacy of Lynn and Leroy Lail, we are looking at the very architecture of modern Hickory. Hospitality and tourism were one of many things they were passionate about, and the convention center was one of their passions, from the vision to how it’s flourished to what it is today.”
“My parents, especially my dad, were passionate about furniture manufacturing in our community and its importance to the region and beyond. This led Leroy to working with CVCC’s Red Hawk Publications telling the story about furniture, to a documentary about the history and the importance of furniture manufacturing in our community today. The documentary, Built To Last, debuted during the March 26 Legacy Hall dedication.”
Rebecca Branson Jones, the Producer-Director-Editor-Writer of Built To Last, worked alongside Jesse Barber, who played a big role in producing the film as well.
“With every project, my goal is to find the heart of the story. What Jesse and I found was how the strength of a community lies in how people carry one another through change. From the beginning, we were met with so much generosity and enthusiasm by community members willing to share their time, resources, and histories with us. I’m honored that the Hickory furniture community trusted us to tell their incredible story of dignity, resilience, and the power of taking care of each other.”
“The generosity we received in Hickory speaks volumes about the community’s character. This story is largely about economic revival, but at its core it’s about relationships, responsibility, and the shared belief that a strong community takes care of its own.”
Leroy Lail previously worked with CVCC’s Red Hawk Productions on Well-Crafted, a history of furniture manufacturing in Western North Carolina, written by Richard Eller. Built To Last continues that legacy of storytelling—sharing the history of furniture in Hickory from the beginning to where the industry stands today and highlighting why furniture manufacturing remains an important part of the community.
About Lynn & Leroy Lail Legacy Hall
Lynn and Leroy Lail were visionary leaders whose lives were dedicated to strengthening the hospitality industry in the Hickory Metro. As part of a small group of community leaders, they helped establish the Hickory-Conover Tourism Development Authority (HCTDA) in 1986, laying the foundation for the Hickory Metro Convention Center. Leroy served on the original HCTDA board, Lynn served when the Convention Center opened in 1997, and both supported the 2005 expansion. Leroy also served on the board when the 2024 expansion was approved in 2022. Champions of the Convention Center from its inception, this space honors their impact, 
celebrates their dedication, and reminds us of the roots that continue to shape our future.
About the Film
Built To Last is a documentary celebrating the Hickory Metro’s century-long furniture heritage and the people who shaped it. Through the enduring legacy of Lynn and Leroy Lail, the film honors craftsmanship, community, and a tradition built to stand the test of time. Built To Last is a film by Rebecca Branson Jones and Jesse Barber. Built To Last is now available to view on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0f0C5TR6lw.
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