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April 11,
2010 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in Business Strategy on April 12, 2010
Marketing consultant Mike Anderson will lead an interactive, half-day workshop on how to take full advantage of the coming economic recovery as a keystone of the American Home Furnishings Alliance's annual marketing meeting, set for June 16-18 in Myrtle Beach, S.C.
"There are some companies that survived the recession that may not survive the recovery," said Anderson of The Center for Sales Strategy, a marketing and media consulting firm with more than 25 years experience with clients worldwide. The key, Anderson believes, will be moving from "recession thinking" to "recovery thinking" in a hurry.
Anderson's half-day workshop is designed to jolt executives out of "recession-minded marketing."
"Worrying about what's going on in Washington or on Wall Street is of no value, because you have little or no control over those macro-economic events," Anderson said. "Where you do continue to have influence is in the way you run your business on Main Street and in the relationships you have with the consumers you serve--the folks who live down on Elm Street."
Anderson acknowledges that consumers have made some changes during the recession that will stick with them long after their finances are stable again. He observes, however, that many marketers are stuck in practices that will do nothing to propel their companies as the recovery picks up speed. His presentation on June 17 will help home furnishings marketers identify and focus on tactics to accelerate the recovery within their companies.
"With those ideas and tactics fresh in our minds, we'll then go on to examine some key opportunities in the marketplace," said Jackie Hirschhaut, AHFA vice president of public relations and marketing.
Jayne ODonnell, "Money" reporter for USAToday, will help marketing executives take an astute look at the motivations and unique influence of a powerful consumer group: Gen Y. These tweens, teens and twenty-somethings are profiled in O'Donnells new book, "Gen BuY," which she co-authored with marketing and psychology professor Kit Yarrow.
Rather than outline the psychological and social underpinnings of what Gen Y'ers want and why they buy, O'Donnell has chosen a more lively and interactive format for her presentation. The veteran reporter will interview a panel of Gen Y consumers, stimulating them to tell the group in their own words what triggers their shopping and buying.
"Gen Y's confidence in their ability to earn--in spite of the recession--and their closer relationships with their parents has alleviated some of the fear that's put the brakes on spending for older (consumers)," O'Donnell said.
Following ODonnell's live forum with Gen Y shoppers, AHFA will challenge marketing executives to deepen their understanding of yet another consumer group, a group not defined by age, nor by any other specific demographic, but by their attitude toward the environment.
According to the 2009 Eco Pulse survey, nearly half of all consumers claim that their purchase decisions could be affected by a company's environmental record. Suzanne Shelton, whose company conducts Eco Pulse, shared highlights of that research with marketing executives at AHFA's 2009 Marketing Meeting. This year she returns after having conducted exclusive research for AHFA to look more closely at furniture consumers and their perceptions of "eco-friendly" furnishings.
A practical look at the Green Guides created by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to provide companies with guidance on advertising and marketing environmental claims will augment Shelton's presentation. The FTC has been working on an update of the guides for two years, and tougher enforcement related to environmental claims is a major part of the commissions current agenda. Christie Grymes of the Washington, D.C.-based law firm, Kelley Drye & Warren, will highlight general principles within the FTCs current Green Guides and will alert attendees to possible changes in the update.
Finally, the 2010 Marketing Meeting agenda includes a presentation from award-winning blogger and best-selling author, Rohit Bhargava, senior vice president for digital strategy and marketing for Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide. Bhargava will address the topic that is causing many furniture marketing executives excessive heartburn these days: social media strategy.
Bhargava has helped dozens of clients, ranging from Intel to the Centers for Disease Control, navigate the complex social media landscape. Rather than offering quick tips, he promises to provide practical help to executives who have been tasked with launching and maintaining social media campaigns.
AHFAs 2010 Marketing Meeting will be held at the Myrtle Beach Marriott at Grande Dunes. Registration is $700 for executives from AHFA member companies; $900 for non-members.
A half-day Product Development Workshop featuring a primer on creating successful products and brands, plus a report on international design trends and markets, will precede the meeting. Rick Babick and Janine Finkle of Design Research will present "Winning Strategies in Product Development: Turning Consumer Desire into Consumer Demand." Their firm produces syndicated studies on design trends in home goods and furnishings as well as custom, primary research. Michelle Lamb, editor of Trend Curve, will share her assessment of international fashion directions on the forefront of the recent Ambiente, Maison & Objet, Quebec Furniture Market and Heimtextil trade expositions.
Discounted reservations at the Marriott are available through May 16 by calling 800.228.9290. Reservations also may be made online here.
April 11,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in High Point on April 12, 2010
D'Oro Furniture Industries Inc., a vendor of middle-price to high-end leather upholstery and motion furniture, has extended its lease with MMPI for the company's showroom located at 300 South Main Street.
The showroom is located on the second floor above the High Point Visitors and Convention Center).
The 9,000-square-foot location has the ideal location and interior for the presentation of leather goods, said D'Oro President Tom Schmidt.
"The location at the corner of Main and Green makes it a very easy location to locate and the interior of the space provides us with a warm comfortable loft feeling which is ideal for presenting our products," he said.
D'Oro will serve breakfast and a warm lunch each day with catering provided by Emerywood Restaurant of High Point.
D'Oro backs service to U.S. customers out of its warehouse in Dallas, Texas.
April 11,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Community/Charitable Support on April 12, 2010
The Western Home Furnishings Association's upcoming golf tournament in Southern California will benefit the Orangewood Childrens Foundation, which is a shelter for children who were the victims of abuse, neglect and abandonment.
The tournament, May 2 at the Tustin Ranch Golf Club, kicks off WHFA's three-day educational conference at Disney's Grand Californian Resort and Spa in Anaheim, May 2-4.
"We are very excited to be doing a tournament that will benefit the children at the Orangewood Children's Foundation," said WHFA Executive Director Sharron Bradley. "The tournament is a great time for retailers, reps and vendors to get together for a game of golf, network and support a wonderful charity."
The golf tournament is open to everyone in the home furnishings industry. Tournament fees are $137 which includes green fees, cart, GPS, pairings, scoring, range balls, contest holes, transportation and awards luncheon. To register, click here.
For more information on the Orangewood Childrens Foundation, click here.
April 11,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Advertising on April 12, 2010
Walter E. Smithe Furniture, Itasca, Ill., known throughout the Chicago area for its memorable commercials, has launched a contest in which the winner will appear in one of the company's upcoming TV campaigns.
The retailer's spots have included home design and entertainment expert Martha Stewart, sports icons Stan Mikita and Ernie Banks, and YouTube rapping sensation Sammy Stephens sharing the screen with Walter, Tim and Mark Smithe in Walter E. Smithe commercials.
Chicagoans can apply to join the ranks of the list by entering the "Be in a Walter E. Smithe TV Commercial" sponsored by the Eric & Kathy Morning Show, Chicago's top-rated morning radio program airing weekdays 5:30-10 a.m. on The Mix 101.9.
The winner will have walk-on role in an upcoming commercial.
"Chicago's best couch potato comedians and furniture fame seekers can enter to win a walk-on role in an upcoming commercial, to be filmed later this year," said Walter E. Smithe III.
Pitch people wannabees must apply Tuesday through Friday this week on the Eric & Kathy Scoop page here. Contestants must submit a photo and short pitch of their own about why they are perfect for the commercial. A panel of judges will pick three finalists and post their information online April 19. Listeners will then vote for their favorite, and the winner will be announced April 30.
Walter E. Smithe operates 13 showrooms throughout Chicagoland and northwest Indiana.
April 11,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Executive Changes on April 12, 2010
Todd Banik has joined Aico in the new position of director of upholstery. He will be responsible for creating a strong division of freestanding upholstery, and will be an integral part of strategizing the continued, and diverse growth of upholstery within the company.
Banik comes to AICO with a broad base of experience in retail, manufacturing, and product development. His retail experience includes visual and product merchandising, and buying positions at Gabbert's, Robb & Stucky, and Treasures Furniture. Banik also was the vice president of product development at Lexington Furniture for upholstery and case goods, and has considerable experience working with factories in Asia.
"We're fortunate to have had the opportunity to hire Todd," said Aico President Larry Rinaldi. "Because this is a new position, we needed to make sure we found the absolute right person for the job, and that is definitely Todd. His reputation and experience will prove to be a great asset to the Aico family."
Banik reports to Vice President of Soft Lines Merchandising, Laurie Phillips.
"Todd is known throughout the industry as an exceptional merchandiser, and highly creative in development," Phillips said. "He is an amazing planner, and will open many doors for the upholstery division of Aico."