March 20,
2011 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in High Point on March 21, 2011
High Point Furniture Market's "Market Week" campaign and Web site have won Gold Addy Awards.
The 2011 Addy Awards is a competition sponsored by the American Advertising Federation to recognize excellence in marketing.
The Market Week campaign for Fall 2010 won a Gold Addy in the Multiple Media B-to-B category and finished as Runner up for Best of Show. The High Point Market Authority Web site captured another Gold Addy, the highest award given in the B-to-B Web site category.
"This is really a credit to the entire High Point Market Authority marketing team and their strategic approach to marketing," said Scott Williams, president of the High Point Market's ad agency, Emisare, which received the awards. "From the leadership of Brian Casey to the day-to-day guidance of Marketing (Vice President) Cheminne Taylor-Smith and her staff, we are privileged to work with professionals who truly understand how to create communications that resonate with their audiences and exemplify excellence in ¨every way."
"This award-winning Market Week campaign is the result of an enhanced creative process the Market Authority developed last spring," said Casey. "This campaign demonstrates how creative processes can help communications resonate and ultimately improve the brand strategy. Market Week is the industrys week and High Point is the venue at which the industry makes its statement. That is the driving idea behind the campaign and truly the key to its success."
"As Fashion Week is to women's clothing; as South by Southwest is to new music; as Sundance is to independent film; Market Week is home furnishings," said Taylor-Smith. The High Point Market defines style, fashion, and innovation for the home. The Market Week campaign showcases that idea by delivering an experience that is fresh, vibrant, and fashion-oriented through every marketing and advertising piece for the Market. Were very proud to receive this recognition."
March 20,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Delivery on March 21, 2011
The International Furniture Transportation and Logistics Council will hold its annual conference on May 4-6 in Savannah, Ga.
Art Van Furniture CEO Kim Yost is keynote speaker for the conference at the Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort and Spa.
The conference will include several industry experts including Tony Nuzio, president of ICC Logistics Services, Inc.; packaging consultant Tom Lowery; and Bryan Picado, a supply chain security expert and member of Homeland Security, among others.
For a full list of speakers and the week's events, visit the conference Web site.
In addition to events and information sessions with industry experts in the fields of transportation and logistics, the week will include several events geared toward both conference attendees and their companions and many companion events are free of charge. A reception will take place on May 3 at the resort, and the annual meeting, which is open to the public, will also take place on May 3. The conference will also include a tour of the Port of Savannah, one of the nation's busiest ports.
For more information on the conference or to register, visit here or e-mail Russ Matthews. Special rates and discounts are available if attendees register before April 12.
March 20,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Community/Charitable Support on March 21, 2011
Five Ashley Furniture Homestores in New Jersey and New York are offering special pricing and financing to flood victims in the region.
Ashley licensee Factory Furniture Direct, which operates Ashley stores in Fairfield, Paramus and Secaucus, N.J.; and New Rochelle and Middletown, N.Y., is extending a special offer to community residents with flood damage, who for a limited time can save 20 percent off regularly priced merchandise or take advantage of 36 Months Special Financing.
There is no minimum purchase requirement for either offer and residents simply need to verify that their address is directly affected by flood to qualify.
"We've watched members of our communities rebuild year after year and just really wanted to do something to help out," said Factory Furniture Direct CEO Eugene Chrinian. "Our hearts go out to those affected by the flooding and we hope that by extending this offer we can help residents get back some of the comforts of home that they lost."
The retailer's Ashley CARE (Community & Associate Relief Endowment) Program gives back by supporting families within their organization, the community and beyond with the greatest needs.
"We're not just a retailer, we're also members of the community. We all live here and work here and so do our families. We can't not do something," said Chrinian.
Through Ashley CARE, the retailer seeks to partner with families in need in many ways, including providing furnishings, partnering with food banks, and aiding in the development of community programs dedicated providing affordable housing, improving education and supporting youth development.
March 20,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in High Point on March 21, 2011
The American Society of Furniture Designers is seeking submissions for the 16th Annual ASFD Pinnacle Design Achievement Awards.
The deadline for submissions is June 1.
Entry forms and supplemental information are available online.
"The Pinnacle Awards provide us the opportunity of recognizing the work of talented designers, and are a great way for our industry to honor companies which support and encourage originality of thought and design innovation", said ASFD president, Dudley Moore, Jr., of Otto & Moore, Inc. in High Point. "The addition of the Green Leaf Award in 2010 took the Pinnacles to another level, where sustainable design became synonymous with good design. The Pinnacles truly do represent what is best about our industry."
Furniture/Today continues as the major underwriter of the Pinnacle Awards. The 2011 Pinnacle sponsors are
AF Lighting,
Continental Brass;
EarthCare Inside;
Furniture Design Studios;
High Point Market Authority;
Hickory Springs Mfg. Co.;
Home Furnishings Business;
IHFC;
Leggett & Platt Inc.;
Suites at Market Square; and
The Sherwin-Williams Co.
The panel of judges for 2011 have been selected. They are Dr. Richard Bennington,
High Point University; Mary Brehm,
Norwalk Furniture & Design, Raleigh, N.C.; Amelia Ellenstein,
Art Van Furniture, Warren, Mich.; Jackie Hirschhaut,
American Home Furnishings Alliance (AHFA); Michael Lennon,
City Furniture, Tamarac, Fla.; Bruce Mulder,
Kendall College of Art & Design; Sheila Long OMara,
Home Furnishings Business; Connie Post,
Connie Post Global Media; Dianne Ray,
Garden City Furniture, Garden City, S.C.; Thomas Russell,
Furniture/Today; Shane Spiller,
Spiller Furniture, Tuscaloosa, Ala.; and Rhonda Wolf,
Havertys Furniture, Atlanta, Ga.
Pinnacle Finalists will be released and posted on the
ASFD Web site following the judging in late June. Winners will be revealed at the 2011 Pinnacle Awards Banquet Monday evening, Oct. 24 at the IHFC Ballroom during the High Point Market.
March 20,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in High Point on March 21, 2011
Brian Casey, president and CEO of the
High Point Market Authority has accepted another position and is leaving the HPMA, effective April 30.
Casey has accepted a position with MMPI Cleveland. He has held his Market Authority position since 2006, and the HPMA executive committee will oversee the immediate search for Caseys replacement.
As we embark on this new beginning for the Market Authority, the executive committee believes the future of the billion-dollar High Point Market is bright, and that the importance of a strong and independent Market Authority has never been more critical, said HPMA Chairman Kevin OConnor, who also heads Samson Marketing. I would like to thank Brian Casey for the work he has done over the last five years. He has been a tireless advocate for furthering the brand of the High Point Market and we wish him all the best for his future endeavors. We have built a strong group in the Market Authority staff and its board, and we are prepared for an exceptional April Market with Brian and with Senior Vice President Tammy Nagem handling the day-to-day operations.
This is a career move and a unique opportunity for me," Casey said. "My tenure at the Market Authority has been one of the best experiences in my overall professional career. I can only attribute that to the great staff and Board, a supportive community, and industry leaders who will continue to keep this Market strong.
OConnor says that the three pillars of the HPMA boardexhibitors, buildings, communityare equally committed to the success of the Market and the strength of the Market Authority.
"There have been incredible accomplishments and improvements in the High Point Market, particularly in the last five years," OConnor said. "The priority of the Market Authority when Brian Casey came here was to defend the High Point Market as the premier furniture trade show in the world. We have not only met that goal, but the buyers have voted for this market with their attendance and the exhibitors with their dollars."
"Today, this is a different industry and a different world with new challenges. As we move forward, our objective is to continue to develop the High Point Market, to make it even better, and to expand it in its role as the worlds home for home furnishings. We are well staffed and well organized to move forward," said OConnor.
As a long-time exhibitor at the High Point Market, we have seen dramatically improved services here in High Point in the last few years," said Doug Bassett, vice chairman of the Market Authority and COO of Vaughan-Bassett. "The High Point Market has given us an incredible return on our investment, with our best traffic in years at the last two Markets in particular. The entire staff of the Market Authority has worked tirelessly to deliver a better and more successful market each year.
The IHFC is strongly committed to the Market Authority, says Tom Mitchell, HPMA executive committee member, and president and CEO of the International Home Furnishings Center. Its work to make the High Point Market the best experience possible for the buyers and sellers who do business here is invaluable.
High Point Mayor Becky Smothers, who is also a member of the Market Authoritys executive committee, said, The High Point Market is one of this citys most important economic assets, with an $8 billion dollar impact statewide. We all take pride in this Market, not only for what it represents, but for what it provides our community and the state of North Carolina. It is a precious economic asset that is recognized as the premier international event for the home furnishings industry, an achievement that has evolved over the Markets 100-plus year history.