Outdoor-A-Palooza

Nicole Crews -- Casual Living, 10/27/2011 3:16:33 AM

The International Casual Furniture and Accessories Market kicked off on Sept. 12 to a fun, frolicking start with a slew of exhibitor parties and celebrations setting the upbeat tempo that remained throughout the outdoor furniture show's half week. Themes veered from Made in the USA to "cupcake extravaganza" all the way to fancy, French fête and kept things lively between showroom tours, seminars, speakers and awards events.

The martini bar at OW Lee was a big attraction on opening afternoon of the ICFA Market.
	Treasure Garden introduced market-goers to its newly expanded showroom by throwing a wine & cheese party.
OW Lee marketing guru Leisa Rogers; Geneva Wallace, designer and retailer with Yard Art and Designer’s Patio; and Yard Art’s Josh Brunley party Americanstyle at OW Lee’s annual Martini Party.
	Poly-Wood’s Doug Rassi and Jennifer Hill; MMPI Executive VP John Brennen III; MMPI VP of Casual Leasing Whitney Gillespie; Mark Phillabaum and Chad Yordy, director of sales and marketing, Poly-Wood, christen the company’s new showroom.
Kristin O’Brien, Casual Living national sales manager, samples an apple pie sucker at the American-themed party at OW Lee.
	Poly-Wood sweetened the market party deal by serving up cupcakes galore and featuring live music. Women in the industry including Fruehauf retailers Mary Fruehauf and Mariah Maydew, Telescope Casual Furniture’s Robin Dodge, CEO Kathy Juckett and her three daughters Sarah Cosey, Kait Mc- Nulty and Greta Cosey as well as staffers from Casual Living (Editor in Chief Cinde Ingram seen here) gathered for dinner at Chicago’s famous Kinzie Chop House.
Gensun Casual Furniture celebrated its 10th anniversary with many of its valued customers including John Keller of Sequoia Outback of Hatfi eld, Pa., top salesperson Judy Hamer, Colleen Keller and Gensun President Lisa Zhou.
	ICFA Executive Director Joe Logan, Sandow Media’s Online Sales Manager Penny Schneck and MMPI Executive VP John Brennen III take in the crowd at OW Lee’s well-attended Martini Party.