Dallas Market Center & ART Announce George Kacic as Recipient of Legendary Leadership Award

October 29, 2026  by Karen Parrish in Business Strategy, Industry   

The Legendary Leadership Award is one of the ARTS Awards’ special honors, selected by the ARTS Awards Committee rather than through the nomination and judging process that determines the category awards (see this year’s judges here). It recognizes an individual who has earned the esteem of industry peers, led with passion and integrity, and shaped the home and design industry through a lifetime of dedication. Last year’s recipient was the late Bill Winsor, former president and CEO of Dallas Market Center.

“Many of the people leading sales teams, showrooms, and companies in this industry today can trace part of their success back to George Kacic,” said Cindy Morris, president and CEO of Dallas Market Center. “He has spent his career proving that the strongest businesses are built by investing in people, and our industry is better for the leaders he has developed.”

“George has never stopped giving back,” said Sharon Davis, executive director of ART. “He has led the organizations that hold this industry together, supported its charitable work, and always made room for the next person coming up. That is what legendary leadership looks like.”

Kacic spent 20 years as a vice president with Ganz and seven years with Russ Berrie. He ran his own independent sales representative firm for five years, and as a vice president at Takara USA he helped establish the Japan-based company in the U.S. market. He also served as president of U.S. operations for Giftcraft, Ltd., before becoming executive vice president of AmericasMart Atlanta. Today, through Margins USA and asK Consulting, a strategic brand and wholesale advisory firm, he advises retailers and manufacturers on sales, sourcing, product development, brand strategy, and business growth.

His most lasting contribution may be the people he has developed. Over the decades, Kacic has hired, coached, and championed countless sales reps, managers, and executives. Many of them now lead companies and sales teams of their own and still call him first for advice. He believes a business is only as strong as the people behind it, and that the best way to sell is to make the buyer successful.

His service to the industry runs just as deep. Kacic served 13 years on the board of the Gift & Home Trade Association (GHTA), where he held the offices of president and chairman emeritus, and he was a founding partner of GHTA’s ICON HONORS. He served on the Gift for Life Board from 2011 to 2020 and serves on the Peach Bowl Board of Advisors in Atlanta. His honors include GHTA’s Luminary Scholarship Award and Gift for Life’s Chuck Yancy Lifetime Achievement Award.

“Everything I’ve built in this industry, I’ve built alongside other people, and watching the ones I’ve worked with go on to lead has been the greatest reward of my career,” said Kacic. “To be recognized by ART and Dallas Market Center with an honor that carries this kind of history means a great deal to me.”

In addition to the Legendary Leadership Award, Troy Lee, chief executive officer of Progressive Lighting, will receive the Academy of Achievement Award, and The Common Thread for the Cure Foundation will receive the HEARTS Award. Dozens of category awards will also go to retailers, manufacturers, designers, and sales representatives.

A full list of the 37th ARTS Awards finalists can be viewed here. Reservations are now open at dallasmarketcenter.com/artsawards/reservations and close January 2, 2027.

For information about all upcoming markets and events, visit the Dallas Market Center website and download the new, completely redesigned Dallas Market Center mobile app. Stay current by visiting Dallas Market Center on Facebook, Instagram, and the DMC Daily Dose blog, and use #ARTSAwards to stay connected.