Daily News
From Home Furnishing Business
ASFD Calls for Entries for 2018 Pinnacle Awards: Expands Opportunities
June 13,
2018 by Jane Chero in Business Strategy, Designer Weekly, Industry, Special Events 
The American Society of Furniture Designers (ASFD) is calling for entries for the 2018 Pinnacle Awards, the home furnishings industry event dedicated to promoting design quality and encouraging increased recognition of product designers.
Product designers may enter online at http://bit.ly/2018OfficialPinnacleEntry. The deadline for submission is July 31, 2018.
This year’s Pinnacle competition has been expanded to include a new Maker’s Category designed to recognize the builders/makers who create one-of-a-kind pieces for sale in galleries and stores, as well as client-specific products. ASFD is acknowledging the growing importance of decorative accessories in the home furnishings landscape by amplifying the former Accessory Category into three separate classifications—Wall Décor, Floor Décor, and Tabletop. In addition, the former Lighting Category has been divided into two product categories: Fixtures and Portables.
A People’s Choice Award—which allows retailers to vote on all Pinnacle Award category finalists—is also new for 2018.
“As the emphasis on great design intensifies across all home furnishings channels and the lines between channels continues to blur, the ASFD board of directors is moving to ensure that the Pinnacle Awards celebrates the most comprehensive vision of home furnishings product design in the industry,” says Catina Roscoe, president of ASFD. “Indeed, 22 years after the first Pinnacle was awarded, we believe the Pinnacle competition is more relevant than ever before.”
Set for Oct. 15, the Pinnacle Awards will take place in a new location, the High Point University Congdon School of Health Sciences. The revamped event format will feature a cocktail hour at 6 p.m., immediately followed by the Award program at 7 p.m., featuring a high-profile keynote speaker from a world-class, international design studio.
“High Point University’s stunning campus and facilities offer the ideal backdrop for an event celebrating great design,” said John Conrad, executive director of the association. “We expect the move to this new venue to elevate the entire Pinnacles experience.”
Awards will be presented in 21 home furnishings categories, with finalists and winning designs promoted to retailers in the U.S. and around the world. Winning products will also have the right to feature the 2018 Pinnacle Award logo on all related media, collateral and packaging.
For more information, visit www.asfd.com.