Daily News
From Home Furnishing Business
WithIt Accepting Nominations for Annual WOW Awards
January 13,
2025 by Karen Parrish in Business Strategy, Designer Weekly, Industry 
WithIt, the women’s leadership development network for the home and furnishings industries, is now accepting nominations for the nonprofit’s annual WOW Awards, a ceremony recognizing women and men who have demonstrated significant impact on their companies and the home and furnishings industry.
The 2025 WOW Awards will be held on Friday, April 25th, during the Spring High Point Market, in the IHFC International Ballroom from 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. and is sponsored by Andmore, Jola and J.B. Hunt Final Mile.
The annual awards ceremony honors those who have greatly impacted the home and furnishings industry in the following categories: Visionary, Mentoring, Leadership, Education, Future Leader and Sales Excellence.
WithIt invites the industry to nominate individuals for the awards through Jan 31. The online submission form can be accessed at http://bit.ly/WOWnominate
Amy Van Dorp, Executive Director of WithIt shared, "Each year I am simply amazed by the number of nominations we receive and inspired to learn about the incredible men and women who make up our industry. WOW Award nominations are compiled of leading industry professionals who do not need to be WithIt Members. WithIt's WOW Mentorship and Education Awards are open to both male and female candidates."
Nominations are being accepted in six award categories, including:
— Visionary Award – For a successful woman of achievement whose insight and actions have significantly impacted the home and furnishings industries and/or WithIt
— Leadership Award – For a woman over 40 who has demonstrated successful leadership in her company, in WithIt, and/or in the home and furnishings industry.
— Future Leadership Award – For a woman under 40 who has demonstrated outstanding achievement and the potential to become an industry leader.
Mentoring Award – For an executive or organization that has fostered advocacy, development or promotion of women in their company.
— Education Award – For an executive or company which has developed programs to educate associates, retailers or consumers about home furnishings.
Sales Excellence Award - For a woman who is extraordinary in sales, demonstrates excellence in education and relationships with her customers, and exceptional commitment to the manufacturers she represents.
Since 1997, WithIt has honored 118 women, 15 men and 2 companies for their outstanding contributions to the success and culture of the home furnishings industry.
"We are honored and excited to join WithIt's Board of Directors and to support the legacy of the WOW Awards," Tarah Jakubiak and Serena Martin WithIt's new co-chair, VP of events shared.
"We invite you all to join us on Friday, April 25 as we honor and award 2025 WOW Award recipients."
A number of sponsorship opportunities are available for the 2025 WOW Awards. Contact Cathy Smith at devdirector@withit.org for more information.