Awards reception to honor outstanding ICFA members

Set for Sept. 22 in Chicago

Casual Living Staff -- Casual Living, 8/30/2010 9:44:00 AM

HIGH POINT, N.C. — Excellence among manufacturers, designers and sales
representatives will be recognized Wednesday, Sept. 22, at an International Casual Furnishings Association awards reception during the International Casual Furniture and Accessories Market in Chicago.

The 6:30-8 p.m. reception will be held at the ballroom of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, located at 112 South Michigan Ave., and will honor the ICFA Sales Representative of the Year, the recipients of the 2010 Manufacturer Leadership Awards, the Design Excellence Award category winners and the Lillian B. Winchester "Best in Show" design award.

The Sales Representative of the Year is a new ICFA award honoring an outstanding sales representative within the casual furnishings industry. ICFA members are selecting the winner in online voting. Candidates must be recognized as exceptional representatives by their peers, by retailers, by manufacturers and by suppliers.

ICFA is reintroducing its Manufacturer Leadership Awards this year. One manufacturer may be honored in each of 10 categories, including cast metal, wrought iron/wrought aluminum, rattan/wicker/woven, wood, tubular materials,
resin/fiberglass, shade products, outdoor lighting, outdoor rugs/carpeting/flooring and complementary casual products. Manufacturers will be rated on the design and quality of their products, along with merchandising, customer service, ethics, communications and trade relations.

From the category winners, an overall Manufacturer of the Year will be named. ICFA members are selecting these winners in online voting, as well.

The Sept. 22 reception also will include recognition for the 11 category winners in the Design Excellence competition, and from these the Lillian B. Winchester "Best in Show" award will be announced.

The awards reception is open to all ICFA members and their invited guests.