ICFA names executive committee

-- Casual Living, 4/1/2008 12:00:00 AM

At its first meeting Feb. 20 in Las Vegas, the board of directors for the new International Casual Furnishings Association named an executive committee and initiated strategic planning.

Dudley Flanders, president of Lloyd/Flanders, was elected chairman. Vice chairman is Petey Fleischut of Casual Marketplace in Hockessin, Del.; she recently completed her term as president of the Casual Furniture Retailers Association. Also on the executive committee are retailer Gary Ecoff of Carls Patio, Coconut Creek, Fla., and vendors Bill Echols of Tommy Bahama, Palm City, Fla., and Dean Engelage of Woodard, Chicago.

The ICFA Board adopted it's mission to “create the desire for quality outdoor furnishings through industry partnerships.” Membership will be open to all key partners within the casual furnishings industry.

Joseph P. Logan is ICFA executive director and is based in High Point, N.C.

Among the first actions taken by the new board of directors was a decision to initiate strategic planning and develop plans for several new member benefits. Details will be announced at a later date.

The board also agreed to host one or more member events at the upcoming ICFA Casual Premarket in July and/or at the International Casual Furniture and Accessories Market in Chicago this September. The ICFA Board agreed it would host the Apollo Awards dinner on Wednesday, Sept. 17 at Navy Pier in Chicago.