ICFA awards top efforts in design, manufacturing and sales

ICFA members and their guests gathered to spotlight Design Excellence winners, recognize the industry's best manufacturing partners and honor an outstanding sales representative

Cinde W. Ingram -- Casual Living, 10/26/2011 6:50:25 AM

THE COMPETITION RECOGNIZES PRODUCTS FOR their overall design, as well as their marketability, innovation, color, construction and imaginative use of materials. Merchandise Mart Properties Inc. co-sponsors the awards. Category winners included:

Lillian B. Winchester "Best of Show" The Lillian B. Winchester "Best of Show" award, selected from among the 11 category winners listed here, went to the Ventura Deep Seating Swivel Rocker by Povl Eskildsen for Gloster Furniture. The Ventura by Eskildsen also recieved the category win for wood furniture.
	Cast Metal: Atlanta Lounge Chair by Scott Coogan for Woodard Landgrave
Tubular Materials: Azore 34-inch Square Table by Povl Eskildsen for Gloster Furniture
	Complementary Casual Products: Apple Martini Stone Table Top by Veneman Collection
Wrought Iron/Wrought Aluminum: Jax Stationary Lounge Chair by Scott Coogan for Woodard
	Rattan/Wicker/Woven Materials: Amari High Back Lounge Chair by Janus et Cie
Outdoor Rugs/Carpeting/Flooring: Ravella Disco Orange by Liora Manne for Trans-Ocean Imports Company
	Outdoor Lighting: Joi Powered by Thermologi by Caframo Ltd.
Resin/Fiberglass: Ineo Extension Table by Grosfi llex
	Shade Products: Plantation MAX Cantilever by Dougan Clarke for TUUCI
Fabric: Heritage by Sunbrella Performance Fabric, Glen Raven Custom Fabrics
Gary R. Deane	Sales Representative of the Year This award recognizes an outstanding sales representative within the casual furnishing industry. Candidates were selected based on leadership, professionalism, exceptional service, communication skills, knowledge and product training expertise. The 2011 winner, selected from three finalists and determined through online voting, was Gary R. Deane of G & R Deane Associates. Following a 25-year career with United Parcel Service, Deane joined his brother in business as a sales representative for the indoor furniture industry. After a few years on the road, he decided to devote his future to the casual furniture industry. He currently represents four manufacturers: OW Lee, Lloyd/Flanders, Treasure Garden and Gold Crest Cushions.

Manufacturer Leadership
One manufacturer was honored in each of nine categories for the design and quality of its products, along with its merchandising, customer service, ethics, communications and trade relations. Winners were:
+ Tropitone - Tubular Materials Furniture
+ OW Lee - Wrought Iron/Aluminum
+ Lane Venture - Rattan/Wicker/Woven Materials
+ Jensen Leisure - Wood Casual
+ Treasure Garden - Shade ProductsJoe Logan, Cap Hendrix and Rory Rehmert
+ Alfresco Home - Complementary Casual Products
+ Pride Family Brands - Cast Metal
+ Trans Ocean - Outdoor Carpeting/Rugs/Flooring
+ Seaside Casual - Resin/Fiberglass

Manufacturer of the Year
From among the nine category winners listed here, Tropitone was named Manufacturer of the Year. Both the category winners and the Manufacturer of the Year were selected in online voting.

ICFA presents Apollo Awards, Lifetime Achievement Award

The International Casual Furnishings Association celebrated its brightest stars in retailing and paid tribute to the year's Lifetime Achievement honoree last month at the 52nd annual Apollo Awards banquet and Al Fresco fashion show. For a second year, the event took place inside the historic Field Museum.

Apollo Awards

The Apollo Awards recognize retail excellence in the sales and marketing of outdoor furnishings.
     Finalists must demonstrate outstanding accomplishments and commitment to customer service. Winners in two categories, single store and multi-store, were selected through an online ballot.

ICFA Director Joe Logan presents Apollo Award to Todd Patterson, Diane Patterson and Jon Luedke of Summer House.

ICFA Chairman Rory Rehmert hands Apollo Award to Mariah Maydew and Mary Fruehauf with Joe Logan.

     Summer House of Tukwila, Wash., was named the multi-store category winner. President Todd Patterson recognized the four other nominated retailers as well as hundreds of other casual furniture stores as he accepted the award for the family-owned business. Being a first-time nominee brought back memories of many dedicated employees and great friendships developed at the stores over more than 30 years, Patterson said. "It's nice to stop the day-to-day and go back to think about it," he said, speaking for his Seattle-area stores and his sisters Kim Benford and Diane Patterson. "Our dad passed away a little over a year ago but he loved this event and the combined relationships that make this go." Fruehauf's Patio & Garden Center of Boulder, Colo., was named the single store winner. Mary Fruehauf, president and owner of
     Fruehauf's, thanked all her manufacturer, suppliers and other retail friends as she accepted the award. "Many of the other retailers in the industry we now consider our very best friends," she said.
     Finalists in the multi-story category were: ABSCO Fireplace & Patio, Birmingham, Ala.; Carls Patio, Boca Raton, Fla.; Season's Leisure Inc., Atherton, Calif.; and Greenhouse Mall, Austin, Texas.
     Finalists in the single store category were: AuthenTeak Outdoor Furniture, Atlanta; Ken Rash's of Arkansas, Little Rock; Sunnyland Furniture, Dallas; and Leisure Living Inc., Salt Lake City.

Lifetime Achievement Award

From left, son Bill Vanderminden, daughter Carol Scott and friend Dorothea Meldrum accompany Bob Vanderminden and daughter Kathy Juckett, current Telescope Casual CEO.Robert "Bob" Vanderminden Sr. of Telescope Casual Furniture received the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award, reserved for individuals who have made exemplary contributions to the casual furniture industry and to their individual communities.
     Born in Brooklyn in 1927 and still designing products for Telescope Casual Furniture, Vanderminden was characteristically humble as he accepted the award. "I want to thank you all for what you've done for me and my company," he said. "I've always kind of stayed in the background all my life. My greatest achievement is my family."
     His daughter, current Telescope CEO Kathy Juckett, described her father as "very intense, very creative and always looking for a better mousetrap." His son Bill Vanderminden, now executive VP, has continued his father's direction with innovative designs. Another son, Robert Vanderminden Jr., is senior VP, information systems. His nephew, Henry Vanderminden IV, is president.