ICFA

Meet 2024's ICFA Board of Directors Chair

dfalvey — Mon, 04 Mar 2024 16:22:25 +0000

Meet 2024's ICFA Board of Directors Chair dfalvey Mon, 03/04/2024 - 10:22

“As the second woman privileged with this position, I honor those in leadership positions who have come before me and plan to actively encourage more women to embrace the many professional and personal growth opportunities of membership,” said Megan Pierson, the 2024 Chair of the Board of Directors of the International Casual Furnishings Association, (ICFA). Pierson, Executive Vice President of Business Development for Polywood, has focused her 20-plus-year career on building relationships internally and externally, and leadership development.

She considers younger members crucial to the ongoing vitality of the ICFA. “I would love to see those starting in our profession join our program and become part of a multi-generational community of leaders. I believe their viewpoints and agility with new channels and technology will bring diversity and inclusivity, ultimately elevating our industry.”

Pierson's attended her first ICFA meeting about a decade ago when she started her career with POLYWOOD. The evolution of her involvement is a perfect road map for those aspiring to leadership positions in the organization. She immediately joined the marketing committee, leading it for two years while participating in meetings and educational conferences. She became chair of the social media committee and served on the Board for six years. “At POLYWOOD, we believe the people make the difference. Building a great team of people around you will challenge you to get the best outcomes possible. That management philosophy aligns completely with how the ICFA is run and serves me well in this new leadership position,” she said.

Supporting women's advancement in the ICFA hierarchy is an objective that inspires Pierson. “I think it would be amazing to create a women's leadership council. It would help us encourage more women to get involved in our industry and support the current women in our association. Multi-generational leadership is so important. It builds a culture of respect and communication amongst professionals, as well as mentorship, offers new perspectives, and creates extensive opportunities for women in our industry,” she said.

Pierson also sees value in promoting membership to designers and those in the hospitality industry. “We have a lot of crossovers with the design industry. I believe there are ways we could collaborate to gain synergy together. We've seen success with this at Polywood, including building strong media relationships through our design partners. Hospitality is another area I'd like to focus on. This industry has exploded in recent years. The ICFA networking and membership benefits would greatly benefit both of these industry segments.”

Although the challenges of COVID are behind us, “continuing to create the best possible customer experience in an ever-changing landscape is an issue we all face,” said Pierson. “The ICFA Annual Conference provides amazing resources to stay informed on the changes going on in the industry. The conference also provides sales training, marketing courses and leadership training. Eighty-five percent of our customers want to feel and touch the product in the store. This is a huge merchandising opportunity, and we can guide brands on partnering with retailers and manufacturers to amplify their in-store experience.”

When contemplating her impact as Chair, Pierson has distinctive goals. “I hope that my legacy includes integrating our network of designers with our manufacturers and retailers so we can continue to inspire and learn from each other, especially over sustainability and innovation, while growing our membership base into an even richer community of thought leaders.”

Pierson and her husband of 22 years, Kevin, have two teenagers, Ethan and Brady, and two Dobermans, Lexy and Remy. When she isn't traveling for work, she can be found at the baseball field, proudly watching her younger play.

ICFA Names Richard Frinier Scholarship Winners

dfalvey — Thu, 19 Oct 2023 13:39:52 +0000

ICFA Names Richard Frinier Scholarship Winners dfalvey Thu, 10/19/2023 - 08:39

Two students from the Savannah College of Art and Design were named this year’s winners of the Richard Frinier Design Scholarship.

The students — Drew Hart and Sebastian Solloa — were awarded a two-night stay in Atlanta during the inaugural Casual Market Atlanta in July. Among the highlights for the two was the time they were able to spend with the renowned designer and his wife and business partner, Catherine Frinier. “They really made us feel at home and so graciously hosted us that weekend,” Hart said.

Hart, a senior at SCAD who is on track to graduate with a degree in furniture design in spring 2024, grew up in Cincinnati. He enjoys spending as much time as possible outdoors, including hiking, gardening, biking and kayaking. He also likes to read, sketch, write and connect with his community. But when the shop is open at school, he is usually there as much as possible building furniture or making smaller pieces such as bowls and vases on the lathe for his friends and family.

Hart’s winning submission to the scholarship committee was an outdoor collection titled Osiris. It is designed around the concept of bringing people together through intentional design. "This piece was designed by the strong values my family has instilled in me, especially the importance of spending quality time with the ones you love. I aimed to design a piece that fills the need for genuine connections and allows families to host loved ones," Hart said.

Solloa grew up in Mexico City near a town called Satellite, where he studied architecture. Before he finished his degree in architecture, he was contacted by the tennis coach at SCAD and he ended up enrolling as a tennis athlete. He graduated from SCAD with a bachelor of fine arts in furniture design and design for sustainability in March 2022.

Since graduating, he has been developing his design studio while offering sustainability assessments for different companies. He is currently the sustainability director for a furniture manufacturing company in Mexico while also designing kitchens and working as a design consultant for Crate & Barrel.

Solloa’s submission to the committee was a project called Calma, an indoor/outdoor piece inspired by nature. Through the use of biomimicry, design and poetry, Solloa says, he was able to transform the shape of a folding leaf into a chair.

The ICFA / Richard Frinier Design Scholarship was established in 2016 to inspire design students in the creation of innovative outdoor living spaces for residential, contract and hospitality environments. The annual scholarship is awarded to the winner of an online competition in which college-level students submit their original designs for outdoor living products. For more information, visit https://www.icfanet.org/richardfrinierdesignscholarship/.

ICFA Recognizes Excellence at Annual Awards Gala

dfalvey — Wed, 12 Jul 2023 13:36:25 +0000

ICFA Recognizes Excellence at Annual Awards Gala dfalvey Wed, 07/12/2023 - 08:36

International Casual Furnishings Association members and guests gathered at the Georgia Aquarium for the dinner event, which also included announcement of the Sales Representative of the Year, the Unsung Hero Award recipient, and a new accolade: the Dudley K. Flanders Senior Leadership Award.

The annual ICFA Awards Gala was underwritten by ANDMORE (formerly International Market Centers), co-sponsor of Casual Market Atlanta at AmericasMart.

Apollo Awards

The Apollo Awards recognize retail excellence in the sales and marketing of outdoor furnishings. Finalists must demonstrate outstanding accomplishments and commitment to customer service. Winners in two categories, single-store and multi-store, were selected from a group of finalists through an online ballot.

Winner in the single-store category was Village Green Home & Garden of Rockford, IL. Finalists included Island Living & Patio, West Palm Beach, FL; O’Malia’s Living, Carmel, IN; Outdoor Elegance, La Verne, CA; Patios Plus, Rancho Mirage, CA; and Villa Terrazza, Sonoma, CA.

Winner in the multi-store category also was Gasper Home & Garden Showplace, based in Furlong, PA. Finalists in the multi-store category included Kolo Collection, Atlanta; Sunnyland Outdoor Living, Dallas; Today’s Patio, Scottsdale, AZ; and Viridien, Charlotte, NC.

Design Excellence Awards

The Design Excellence competition recognizes products in 10 categories for their overall design, as well as their marketability, innovation, color, construction and imaginative use of materials. Eligible designs must have been introduced in the marketplace within the previous year. The 2023 category winners are:

Chaise Lounge: Brown Jordan’s Oliver Adjustable Chair designed by Ann Marie Vering;
Complementary Casual Products/Accents: TUUCI’s Highland Garden Planter designed by Dougan Clarke;
Complementary Casual Products/Furnishings: Bernhardt Exteriors’ Milos-Cyprus Table Group designed by the Bernhardt Exteriors design team;
Dining/Bar Chair: Bernhardt Exteriors’ Rhodes Arm Chair designed by the Bernhardt Exteriors design team;
Dining/Bar Table: Castelle’s Tulip Table with Faux Marble Top designed by Curtis Bulleman;
Fabric: Glen Raven’s Strada Sky designed by Richard Frinier;
Heating/Firepit: Ocean Rock USA’s Bianco White Carrara Marble Porcelain Fire Table designed by the Ocean Rock USA design team;
Lounge Seating with Cushion: Foremost Home’s Ming Chair designed by Jim Sica;
Lounge Seating without Cushion: Jensen Outdoor’s Trellis Lounge Chair designed by Edi and Paola Ciani; and,
Shade: Sunvilla’s Powered Market Umbrella designed by the Sunville design team.

Lillian B. Winchester “Best of Show” and “Lilly” Awards

The Lillian B. Winchester “Best of Show” award was selected from the 10 category winners listed above. The 2023 award went to Bernhardt Exteriors for its Milos-Cyprus Table Group, (left), which also received the Lilly Award in the Outdoor Furniture category.

Sunvilla’s Powered Market Umbrella received the “Lilly” award in the Outdoor Accents category.

Lifetime Achievement Award

The prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award is reserved for individuals who have made exemplary contributions to the casual furniture industry and to their individual communities. The 2023 honoree is Kathy Juckett, CEO of Telescope Casual Furniture. Representing the fourth generation of the Telescope Casual family, Juckett arrived at the company intending to simply complete an independent study in the human resources office in order to complete the last few credits necessary for her graduation from Skidmore College. She ended up staying 44 years (and counting). Early in her tenure, she focused on developing a company culture committed to continuous improvement and lean manufacturing best practices. “My objective has always been to create a culture where change isn't scary but embraced as we strive for continuous improvement. By being a nimble manufacturing operation that maximizes opportunities and minimizes downsides, we can survive and thrive,” said Juckett. The winner of seven Manufacturer Leadership Awards since 2012 and three Manufacturer of the Year awards, the company now employs more than 320.

Manufacturer of the Year

Lloyd Flanders was named Manufacturer of the Year – a tribute to the design and quality of the company’s products, as well as its outstanding merchandising, customer service, ethics, communications and trade relations. This year’s finalists, all of whom received Manufacturer Leadership Awards, included Castelle, Ebel Inc., POLYWOOD and Treasure Garden.

Sales Representative of the Year

This award recognizes an outstanding sales representative within the casual furnishing industry. Candidates were selected based on leadership, professionalism, exceptional service, communication skills, knowledge and product training expertise. The 2023 winner, selected from six finalists and determined through online voting, was Charlie Smith of La Quinta, Calif., who represents O.W. Lee, Hanamint, TUUCI, Gloster and Quality Works.
Other finalists included John Balch, Nashville, Tenn.; Tim Baldwin, Richmond, Va.; Doug Becht, Geneva, Ill.; Joe Crandall, Marietta, Ga.; and Phil Fowler, Philadelphia.

Mia Nault Unsung Hero Award

This award was created to call attention to outstanding customer service representatives at manufacturing companies throughout the casual furnishings industry. Candidates are selected based on their ability to provide exceptional customer service, as well as outstanding communication skills, innovative problem-solving, professionalism and ability to inspire others as brand ambassadors. In 2021 the award was renamed in honor of the inaugural 2020 recipient, the late Mia Nault of Ebel Inc. Ana Hartman of Treasure Garden was selected as the 2023 recipient. She was recognized for her overall professionalism, her special talent for defusing complicated situations, her skill in handling calls with a polite, friendly voice, and her competent actions to resolve situations.

Dudley K. Flanders Senior Leadership Award

The first recipient of the Dudley K. Flanders Senior Leadership Award is Jessica Salisbury of Village Green in Rockford, Ill. Salisbury stepped into the CEO’s role with the passing of founder, Larry Smith. She is active both in ICFA and in her company. Her integrity is top-notch, and her personal style is an excellent example of effective leadership.

ICFA Reveals 2023 Design Excellence Winners

dfalvey — Tue, 27 Jun 2023 18:44:04 +0000

ICFA Reveals 2023 Design Excellence Winners dfalvey Tue, 06/27/2023 - 13:44

Ten manufacturers of outdoor home furnishings and accessories have been recognized for their outstanding product designs, the International Casual Furnishings Association has announced.

From among the ten category winners in ICFA’s Design Excellence competition, two products will be selected for the Lilly Award for Outdoor Furniture and Outdoor Accents, and one product will be honored with the Lillian B. Winchester “Best of Show” Award. These honors will be announced at the ICFA Awards Gala on Tuesday, July 11, at the Georgia Aquarium.

The Design Excellence category winners include:

Chaise Lounge: Brown Jordan – Oliver Adjustable Chaise – Ann Marie Vering
Complementary Casual Products – Accents: TUUCI – Highland Planters – Dougan Clarke
Complementary Casual Products – Furnishings: Bernhardt Exteriors – Milos Cyprus Table Group – Bernhardt Exteriors Design Team
Dining Bar Chair – Bernhardt Exteriors – Rhodes Armchair – Bernhardt Exteriors Design Team
Dining Bar Table: Castelle Furniture – Tulip Dining Table with Faux Marble Top – Curtis Bulleman
Fabric: Sunbrella – Strada Sky – Richard Frinier
Heating/Firepit: Ocean Rock USA – Carrara Marble Porcelain Fire Table – Ocean Rock USA Design Team
Lounge Seating with Cushion: Foremost Home – Ming Lounge Chair – Jim Sica
Lounge Seating without Cushion: Jensen Outdoor – Trellis Lounge Chair – Edi and Paolo Ciani
Shade: Sunvilla – Powered Market Umbrella – Sunvilla Design Team

Entrants for the Design Excellence competition must be exhibitors at Casual Market Atlanta at AmericasMart. Eligible designs are slated for introduction in the marketplace at next month’s trade exhibition and must represent exceptional design innovation and technical product innovation in the category. To see all the products entered in this year’s competition, click

https://www.icfanet.org/winners/design-excellence-awards-2023/

ICFA Introduces Sunny the Bear

gannunzio — Fri, 16 Jun 2023 15:08:31 +0000

ICFA Introduces Sunny the Bear gannunzio Fri, 06/16/2023 - 10:08

The International Casual Furnishings Association proudly introduces its new official mascot, Sunny the Bear.

“Sunny is full of spunk and personality, just like our members!” said Megan Pierson, senior vice president of business development at Poly-Wood and chair of ICFA’s Social Media Committee, which conceived Sunny during the ICFA Planning Workshop held in Charlotte, N.C. last October.

Sunny the traveling bear was born earlier this year and made her industry debut at the ICFA Educational Conference in Nashville, Tennessee, in March.

Sunny was an instant hit with members attending the Educational Conference. “Sunny loves everyone, and she loves to take part in whatever is going on,” said Jackie Hirschhaut, executive director of the ICFA. “I saw her making the rounds at the conference, and she has a special way of putting a smile on everyone’s face. She’s just so snuggly and cute.”

“Sunny is always up for a good time!” added Pierson. “She loves adventures!”

Pierson added that Sunny has confirmed that she knows she joined the right industry, and she’s excited about all the fun she expects to have. One manufacturer member has even promised Sunny that she will have her own outdoor chair, sized just right for her. And she knows ICFA members make quality products, so it’s sure to be an outstanding chair!

Going forward, Sunny is available to visit with ICFA members at their retail stores, with reps on the road, and with manufacturers and suppliers at their factories throughout the year. Members will then post images of Sunny enjoying herself on her travels. ICFA members interested in having a visit from Sunny should send a request to sunny@icfanet.org.

Most recently, Sunny has been at AmericasMart Atlanta exploring the new space for the upcoming inaugural Casual Market Atlanta in July. As Sunny becomes more familiar with the space, she will be sharing important tips and reminders about the show, as well as ideas on fun things to do in Atlanta outside the show. Instagram and Facebook users may have already noticed some of her Atlanta posts.

Those who have not already connected with Sunny can follow along with her adventures on Instagram and Facebook at @sunny_icfa.

ICFA Announces 2023 Award Finalists

dfalvey — Thu, 18 May 2023 13:04:51 +0000

ICFA Announces 2023 Award Finalists dfalvey Thu, 05/18/2023 - 08:04

The International Casual Furnishings Association announces the finalists for three prestigious awards to be presented at the ICFA Awards Gala during Casual Market Atlanta in July.

Founded in 1959, the Apollo Awards program recognizes retail excellence in the sales and marketing of outdoor furnishings. Finalists must demonstrate outstanding accomplishments plus active partnership and excellent credit rating with manufacturers and industry suppliers. Each finalist is recognized as an exceptional dealer of a wide variety of quality products in their trading area and a role model for others within the industry, as well as characterized by superior customer service plus innovative marketing and merchandising strategies.

Finalists in the single-store competition include Island Living & Patio, West Palm Beach, FL, O’Malia’s Living, Carmel, IN.; Outdoor Elegance, La Verne, CA; Patios Plus, Rancho Mirage, CA.; Villa Terrazza, Sonoma, CA; and Village Green Home and Garden, Rockford, IL.

Retail businesses with multiple stores include Gasper Home & Garden Showplace, Furlong, PA.; Kolo Collection, Atlanta; Sunnyland Outdoor Living, Dallas; Today’s Patio, Scottsdale, AZ.; and Viridien (formerly Fire House Casual Living), Charlotte, NC.

A follow-up online ballot with profiles of each retailer will be distributed to all ICFA members in good standing to determine the winner in each category.

Six manufacturers of outdoor furnishings have been named finalists for the ICFA’s 2023 Manufacturer of the Year Award. The finalists were selected based on the overall design and quality of their products, along with their merchandising, customer service, ethics, communications and trade relations.

The companies selected for ICFA’s Manufacturer Leadership Award after a call for nominations include Castelle, Ebel, Inc., Lloyd Flanders, Poly-Wood and Treasure Garden.

Company profiles of the manufacturer finalists will be distributed to ICFA members for a second round of voting, and the company with the most votes will be announced as the Manufacturer of the Year.

In addition, six outstanding sales representatives have been selected as finalists for the 2023 Sales Representative of the Year. Finalists were selected based on leadership, professionalism, exceptional service, communication skills, knowledge and product training expertise. Finalists include John Balch, Murfreesboro, Tenn.; Tim Baldwin, Richmond, Va.; Doug Becht, Geneva, Ill.; Joe Crandall, Marietta, Ga.; Phil Fowler, Wilmington, Del.; and Charlie Smith, La Quinta, Calif.

Hosted by International Market Centers at the Oceans Ballroom at Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta, the ICFA Awards Gala will bring together all segments of the outdoor furnishings industry for a dinner celebration that recognizes excellence throughout the casual furnishings industry. Kathy Juckett, CEO of Telescope Casual Furniture, will be honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award, and products receiving the industry’s Design Excellence Awards will be spotlighted, including the Lilly Awards for Outdoor Furniture and Outdoor Accents plus the Lillian B. Winchester “Best of Show” design award.

Tickets for ICFA members can be ordered from the ICFA website, https://www.icfanet.org/2023-awards-dinner-reservations/, for $85 per person or $800 for a table of 10. Tickets for non-members are $110 each and $1,100 for a table of 10. Sponsorship of the ICFA Awards Gala is available in a variety of levels at:
https://www.icfanet.org/2023-awards-gala-sponsorship/

ICFA Names 2023 Lifetime Achievement Recipient

dfalvey — Thu, 11 May 2023 13:43:37 +0000

ICFA Names 2023 Lifetime Achievement Recipient dfalvey Thu, 05/11/2023 - 08:43

“I talk a lot. But I wouldn't have been CEO for the past 22 years if I didn't listen carefully and ask the right questions,” said Kathy Juckett, recipient of the 2023 International Casual Furnishings Association Lifetime Achievement Award. An avid horse lover, as a teen, she wanted to be a veterinarian until weighing her desire for a large family against the demands of that career. Never planning to, she joined the family business, Telescope Casual Furniture, in Granville, NY, after college.

Kathy's great-grandfather, Henry J.W. Vanderminden Sr., founded the company over a century ago. His son, Henry J.W. Vanderminden Jr., continued his legacy, leading the company until his nineties. His son, Robert D. Vanderminden, Sr., then became CEO, and named his daughter, Kathy, as his successor in 2001. Kathy's grandfather, who died in 1993, predicted her leadership path. “As a woman with a head for business, you are a freak of nature, but the way you juggle the priorities of an executive, mother, wife, daughter and granddaughter, and make it look so easy, tells me that you were born to be a manager,” he told her early in her career.

“Working in the family business was never my ambition growing up. I landed there at the end of my senior year at Skidmore College because of a credit issue. I had to complete an independent study to have enough credits to graduate,” said Kathy. “I was majoring in the pioneering area of Industrial Social Work, so a professor helped me develop an independent study program to support the human resources office. My first day was May 21, 1979, and, 44 years later, I'm still here.”

Kathy's duties weren't limited to her HR project – helping employees with alcohol addiction seek rehab rather than firing them – but entailed working for a harsh taskmaster in the sewing room, learning how the machines operated plus listening to management and workers explain their challenges. “I finished my project and graduated,” said Kathy, adding, “I learned more in those few months than during my four years of college. It became obvious to me that this was where I belonged.”

Once she was a full-time employee, although unpaid for six months, Kathy put her listening skills to excellent use, soaking up as much management advice from her grandfather and father as possible. “They were both extraordinary pioneers in furniture manufacturing,” she said. “Henry Jr. was officially blind, with early onset macular degeneration, but was among several prolific inventors like his colleague, Henry Ford, who created the assembly line manufacturing system. The advancements he experienced and impacted between 1896 to 1993 were astounding! He was generous with his time and advice, and I was truly blessed to have him as my mentor. Dad followed in my grandfather’s footsteps, challenging me at every turn.”

Kathy used her listening skills throughout the early years of her career to get to know the employees, their families, aspirations and concerns. She also reinstated several rules that had been disregarded. “I helped create a culture where we enforced eight-hour days and made behavior like drinking on the job and chronic absenteeism unacceptable.”

Resolution of labor issues was crucial as Telescope Casual Furniture faced competition from Asian companies that appropriated iconic designs like their world-recognized director's chairs to flood the market with lesser-quality products. “One leading retailer switched from us to an overseas vendor and ended up getting so many returns from furious customers that they had to discontinue the product line,” said Kathy. “We felt the effect of the increasing availability of cheaper, lower-quality outdoor furniture and had to make a significant pivot.”

“My objective has always been to create a culture where change isn't scary but embraced as we strive for continuous improvement. By being a nimble manufacturing operation that maximizes opportunities and minimizes downsides, we can survive and thrive,” said Kathy. As CEO, she steered the company through several transitions that drove success. As the new century began, Telescope Casual underwent a revolution, moving from the mass production model of her grandfather and Henry Ford's day to mass customization to meet the desires of 21st-century consumers.

“We brought in a team from Honsha that helps transform companies using the philosophy learned at Toyota. We completely redesigned the factory. I created forums to listen to those whose input would guide our repositioning. We started bringing in 10 retailers every year to ask what they were thinking and experiencing. We listened to their feedback, took detailed notes and acted on their suggestions. One of the earlier insights was that our fabric designs were too masculine. That year I banned all the men from the room when we made the cover selections,” said Kathy, laughing.

Flash forward to the COVID pandemic, which required a seismic shift in priorities to keep the doors open and the team together. Employees were paid out-of-pocket during the first three weeks of the shutdown, with a PPP loan covering wages for the next 10 weeks until the factory opened again. The entire Telescope Casual team and Granville residents rallied to help by offering to build IV poles, beds, chaises, dividers and gowns made from Sunbrella fabric. After many attempts to contact several New York State officials and TV interviews in which Kathy made public appeals to help, a response never came. Undaunted, the company produced masks from Sunbrella fabric, distributing them to local schools, businesses and retail partners nationwide.

After the height of the pandemic, Telescope Casual was impacted by supply chain disruptions, but not as severely as others in the industry thanks to their American-made and -sourced policy. “We faced some supply chain issues, but our long term-relationships with our suppliers certainly mitigated them. We can’t stress enough how our relationships with our suppliers helped get us through these very difficult times,” said Kathy.

Finding and keeping good employees is a challenge that, through Kathy's leadership, Telescope Casual has faced head-on. “We show our people our gratitude for their hard work and loyalty as often as possible. We host a Food Truck Tuesday every month and we are always there catching up with everyone about their lives and family news. When we hire a new employee, three high-level managers and I meet with them once a week for four weeks and then once a month until they complete their 90-day probationary period. We initiated this practice after COVID and it results in a much higher retention rate,” she said.

Kathy's four daughters and son are part of the family business. Her four daughters recently bought into the ownership and, along with Henry Vanderminden IV, are minority shareholders. “You don't have to know everything or pretend to have all the answers. Be humble – it’s a valuable trait. Build a group around you that can do it all and answer all the questions. Find people with specific skills, put them in the right positions and nurture them without micromanaging,” said Kathy. “We have built a culture where if I’m away, nothing changes because I trust my team to move forward successfully without me.”

Kathy isn't planning to leave soon, although she admits she is happy spending more time with her 10 grandchildren, “I'm still a 14-year-old girl at heart, so we have lots of adventures together!” Her marriage to her husband, Dave, is like a Hollywood rom-com plot. They met by pure chance 20+ years after a breakup that resulted in both marrying different people and Kathy having four daughters. With shared history and passions like road-tripping to find and revive flea market deals, they rekindled their romance, have been married for 26 years and have a son, Maxx.

Kathy also enjoys and excels at painting, pottery and knitting. Her creative outlets provide balance and keep her in touch with herself. She has also served on the small business advisory board to the Federal Reserve, on the regional board of Glens Falls National Bank, been a 35-year member of the Granville Little League Board and most recently the Advisory Board of the Granville Community Foundation. As she prepares the next generation to lead the family business, she shares her philosophy of life: “Never do anything for appreciation; focus on what you can do to make a difference in a way that is meaningful and beneficial to others, because it’s the right thing to do.”

Kathy will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award at the ICFA Awards Gala on July 11 at the Georgia Aquarium. Tickets are available at https://www.icfanet.org/2023-awards-dinner-reservations/ and a variety of sponsorship levels can be secured at https://www.icfanet.org/2023-awards-gala-sponsorship/.

International Market Centers Honored by ICFA

dfalvey — Tue, 07 Mar 2023 14:46:28 +0000

International Market Centers Honored by ICFA dfalvey Tue, 03/07/2023 - 08:46

International Market Centers, owner and operator of AmericasMart Atlanta, received ICFA’s 2023 Industry Partner Award at the Association’s Educational Conference at the Grand Hyatt in Nashville last week.

The award is presented annually to a company or individual who has served on an ICFA board, council or committee and demonstrated a heightened level of participation in advancing the organization’s strategic plans and goals. Previous recipients include theMART, Sunbrella / Glen Raven, Richard Frinier Design Studio and Outdura.

In 2023, the casual furnishings industry relocated its annual trade show to AmericasMart Atlanta, with a soft opening in January of some 48 brands of casual furnishings exhibiting on four floors of newly renovated permanent showrooms.

The complete launch will take place at the inaugural Casual Market Atlanta, scheduled July 10-13 in Building 1 of the AmericasMart campus. Added to the initial mix of outdoor living companies will be one-and-a-half floors of temporary exhibitors that bring total participation in the trade show to more than 150 lines. Three of the casual furnishings floors are open Monday through Friday year-round.

Ninja Warrior Competitor to Keynote Educational Conference

gannunzio — Mon, 16 Jan 2023 16:00:09 +0000

Ninja Warrior Competitor to Keynote Educational Conference gannunzio Mon, 01/16/2023 - 10:00

American Ninja Warrior competitor and host Alex Weber will deliver the opening keynote address on March 1 at the International Casual Furnishings Association 2023 Educational Conference in Nashville. His talk to the membership will identify behaviors to perform at the highest levels with inspiring stories and actionable strategies. In addition, all attendees will receive a copy of his hardcover book, “Fail Proof: Become the Unstoppable You.”

Weber’s presentation will kick off two full days of programming at the Grand Hyatt Nashville that features a variety of expert speakers, breakout sessions and roundtable discussions. With more than 30 years in customer service, Angie Webber has learned how to best connect with people and build strong relationships. Her experience provides a strong foundation for her talk, “5 Ways to Fix Your Customer Service.” Takeaway strategies will include how to turn an angry customer into a customer who feels valued along with tips to identify the root cause of anger.

With a fresh, positive approach to eliminate stress, negativity and burnout, Betsy Allen-Manning will guide attendees in creating more work/life balance and becoming more resilient in business and at home with her keynote, “Reset & Recharge.” Utilizing a productive mindset, she will help members learn how to prioritize their day, identify time stealers and eliminate the overwhelm that multiple projects can bring. Each participant will receive a copy of her book.

Jaime Raul Zepeda, vice president at Best Companies Group, will address how companies can retain their top workers as well as add talented and motivated employees to their staff. His company surveys over 5,000 companies each year, totaling more than one million employees, and knows what matters most to current employees and prospective ones. He will help participants create an action plan to keep their rock stars and find their next ones.

To supply professional insights to sales representative members, ICFA counsel Adam Glazer, a partner at Schoenberg Finkel Beederman Bell Glazer LLC in Chicago, will discuss a full range of pertinent legal matters.

Back by popular demand is Chris Andresen, ICFA’s government affairs council, with an update on “What’s Happening in Washington?”

Dealers contemplating expansion of their retail operation will gain valued insights from a breakout panel discussion featuring Greg Martin, Kolo Collection; Eric Stalzer, Offenbachers; Bruce Erickson, Summer Classics Home Chicago; and Grant Henegan, Viridien.

Recognizing the dramatic success of retailers utilizing social media to promote their businesses and products, ICFA has tapped Jessica Salisbury and Jessica Knudson of Village Green Home and Garden in Rockford, Ill. to conduct a marketing session, “Do-It-Yourself Social Media.”

Leading into the opening reception and dinner at the annual educational event on February 28, attendees can join in an afternoon retail design tour of four area specialty stores – Kolo Collection, Nashville Billiards & Outdoor and Summer Classics Nashville – or participate in a golf outing planned at Hermitage Golf Course.

With ample networking opportunities throughout the agenda, attendees can learn to line dance at the Dessert Party following a Dine-Around Dinner on Wednesday night. The group will also enjoy a bowling dinner event on Thursday night.

A variety of manufacturers and Solution Partner service providers have stepped up as sponsors of this year’s conference. Top supporters are International Market Centers as the Tungsten Sponsor, along with Titanium Sponsor Sunbrella/Glen Raven and Gold Sponsors Lloyd Flanders and Tempotest. Silver Sponsors include Poly-Wood and Telescope Casual Furniture while Ratana and Trivantage are Bronze Sponsors. Milliken & Company, Outdura, and Treasure Garden are Copper Sponsors and TD Retail will host the first morning break. TUUCI is a Vendor Showcase Sponsor and Village Green Home and Garden is a Diamond Retail Sponsor.

ICFA Refreshes Casual Market Branding Ahead of Atlanta Move

dfalvey — Mon, 15 Aug 2022 14:33:47 +0000

ICFA Refreshes Casual Market Branding Ahead of Atlanta Move dfalvey Mon, 08/15/2022 - 09:33

As the Casual Market relocates to AmericasMart in Atlanta beginning in 2023, the International Casual Furnishings Association (ICFA) is refreshing and reimagining the 60+-year-old event. The inaugural Casual Market Atlanta will be held July 10-13, 2023, in a dynamic new casual furnishings destination featuring five full floors of permanent showrooms and temporary exhibits.

“As we close one chapter in Chicago, we are very excited to open a new one in Atlanta,” said Jackie Hirschhaut, ICFA Executive Director. “The move to AmericasMart is not only a fresh start and opportunity to further the growth of ICFA, but for the outdoor and casual furnishings industry as a whole.”

Casual furnishing leasing has accelerated in anticipation of the 2023 debut of Casual Market Atlanta with four floors filled by permanent, purpose-built showrooms for 43 leading outdoor living brands.

For the July 2023 launch, Casual Market Atlanta will also showcase some 100+ temporary exhibits on Floor 7 of Building 1. The tradeshow will feature additional outdoor furniture brands plus fire pits, hammocks, outdoor and garden accessories, outdoor lighting, statuary, umbrellas and more.

New synergies will be created through Casual Market’s co-location with the summer edition of International Market Centers’ (IMC) Atlanta Market, which will take place July 11-17, 2023, at AmericasMart – offering an added benefit for casual buyers and sellers.

“ICFA’s move to Atlanta delivers both casual furnishing resources as well as a broad program of educational and social events to our new home,” added Steve Elton, Brown Jordan Chief Brand Curator and ICFA board chair. “This launch marks a new era for ICFA, and we look forward to the fresh, exciting opportunities that it will bring for our diverse range of members, including manufacturers, retailers, sales representatives, designers and Solution Partners.”

In addition to the major industry event in July, ICFA and AmericasMart will host the Outdoor Design Week, September 18-20, 2023, for product sourcing, education and industry networking. This event will overlap with AmericasMart’s Fall Market offering opportunities for gift and home product sourcing.

New Branding for a New City

In connection with the relocation, Casual Market Atlanta is introducing a fresh logo and branding. Inspired by the sun in a lively blue color palette, the logo represents a new beginning for the market. The upcoming Casual Market Atlanta website – CasualMarketAtlanta.com – will feature market information, exhibitor listings and more. The updated brand identity and new online resource center will reinforce the Casual Market Atlanta’s new permanent home in Atlanta.

Expanding AmericasMart Resources at Markets and Year-Round

Outdoor living brands have begun the move to Atlanta to optimize connections opportunities with AmericasMart’s home décor and lifestyle buyers. Permanent showrooms will be open in time for the Winter 2023 Atlanta Market, January 10-16, 2023. In addition, showrooms located on Floors 2, 3, and 4 of Building 1 will be open Mondays through Fridays between markets, joining the 400+ décor, gift and lifestyle showrooms that are open year-round for retailer and designer sourcing.

“We are beyond excited for the new opportunities presented by Casual Market’s new home in Atlanta and welcome the industry with IMC’s hallmark hospitality,” said Bob Maricich, IMC CEO. “Both buyers and sellers within the Casual industry will benefit from the robust collection of complementary gift and home resources and buying power found at AmericasMart.”