DMC and ART Announce Judges for 35th ARTS Awards

September 12, 2024  by Karen Parrish in Business Strategy, Industry   

A panel of distinguished judges will choose winners based on submissions, which may include examples of product development, marketing, merchandising, company differentiation, or professional information, consistent on their selected category. In the Fall, judges will gather in Dallas for two days to review each submission from individuals and/or companies. After the judges complete their process, a designated accounting firm will count and secure the scores until the winners are revealed at the ARTS Awards gala.

The 35th ARTS Awards judges are:

Michela O'Connor Abrams, Board Chair, Sustainable Furnishings Council and Sustainable Furnishings Educational Fund. Michela exclusively serves as the Green Award judge and reviews only the manufacturing finalists’ submissions. Michela is the Founder of MOCA+, which focuses on integrating design thinking and leadership into business strategy. Former CEO of Dwell Media, she grew the brand from a startup to an international name. With experience at IDG, Softbank, McGraw Hill, Ziff Davis, and Future Media, she has led companies through growth and turnaround phases. Michela serves on the board of Arcbazar and advises several companies, including Turkel Design and Nebia. She is a sought-after speaker on leadership, design, and media. 

Leon Goetz, Founder & CEO, Goetz Inc. Leon Goetz is the founder and CEO of Goetz Inc., a multi-line sales and marketing agency and long-time exhibitor at Dallas Market Center. Since 1984, Goetz Inc. has represented a diverse range of luxury brands in gift, home decor, tabletop, holiday, and fashion categories, occupying over 45,000 square feet of showrooms. While the agency focuses on sales growth, service excellence, and strong vendor/retailer partnerships, Leon’s passion lies in consulting on product development, design, and presentation for both new and established brands.

Jaclyn Hirschhaut, Executive Director, International Casual Furniture Association. Jaclyn C. “Jackie” Hirschhaut is Vice President of Public Relations and Marketing at the American Home Furnishings Alliance and Executive Director of the International Casual Furnishings Association. She oversees marketing and media relations at AHFA and leads the outdoor furnishings sector at ICFA. Formerly Editor-in-Chief of Elegant Bride and an award-winning journalist, Jackie has a background in retail and product development. She holds degrees in journalism and marketing and is active with the Public Relations Society of America and various industry boards.

Jaye Anna Mize, Creative Director, Home Interiors, Fashion Snoops. Jaye Anna Mize is the VP of Advisory and Partnerships at Fashion Snoops, a top trend-forecasting agency. With over 18 years of experience, Mize excels in home and interior design trends, leveraging AI and tech-savvy strategies to uncover market opportunities. She has worked with major brands like Unilever, Kohl’s, and Target, and is a recognized thought leader, speaking at events such as High Point Market Authority and Maison & Objet. Mize leads teams in aligning design, merchandising, and marketing to emerging consumer behaviors and future trends, including collaborations with Drew and Jonathan Scott and BuzzFeed’s Tasty Product Line.

Khoi Vo, CEO, American Society of Interior Designers. Khoi Vo, IIDA, CIDA, IDEC, IDECF, brings over 20 years of experience in interior design, architecture, and education. A former leader at Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), Vo founded Studio Four Los Angeles and Khoi Vo Design, where he led design projects and operations. He has taught and held leadership roles at California State University, SCAD, and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Vo is a distinguished member of several industry organizations, including the Interior Design Educator Council Foundation and ASID. He has received notable awards such as the 2015 CIDA Award for Excellence in Teaching and the 2017-18 Design Intelligence Top 25 Most Admired Educators. Vo holds a BA in design-focused architecture from the University of Florida and a Master of Architecture from the Southern California Institute of Architecture.

Erin Weir, Co-founder, The Pearl Collective. Erin Weir is the co-founder and VP of Sales & Marketing at Pearl Collective, an interior design consultancy that boosts profits for designers, architects, and creatives. Known for her dynamic leadership and marketing expertise, Erin enhances every client interaction and is dedicated to advancing the interior design industry. She educates designers on profitable practices, leadership, and productivity, advises manufacturers on better business partnerships, and helps clients build confidence through effective processes and a team-oriented approach.

All 35th ARTS Awards finalists may be viewed here. Reservations for the ARTS Awards open on October 2. Tickets will be $170 for ART members and $200 for non-members. Discounted rates for full tables of (8) and (10) guests are also available.

Media and organization sponsors for the ARTS Awards are Home Accents Today; Gifts & Decorative Accessories; HFN; Designer’s Today; Furniture/Today; Home Textiles Today; Aspire; Furniture, Lighting, & Décor; Interior Design Society; Luxe Interiors + Design; Modern Luxury; PaperCity; Business of Home; Décor News Now, and Sustainable Furnishings Council.

For more information, visit the ARTS Awards website. Keep up-to-date with Dallas Market Center events and happenings on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram and use #ARTSAwards to stay connected.

To make plans for upcoming markets, visit the Dallas Market Center website and download the Dallas Market Center and Lightovation Apps. Also, keep up-to-date on all information by visiting Dallas Market Center on Facebook, X, Instagram, and the DMC Blog.