Icon of the Industry Award Goes to...Kathy Ireland
GREENSBORO, N.C.--The International Home Furnishings Representatives Association (IHFRA) has announced it will present Kathy Ireland with its coveted ICON Award at the 25th annual Furniture Industry Awards Gala (FIAG).
The Gala, set for April 24, 2020, will be held at the Koury Convention Center here, and will feature a “Golden Era of Hollywood” theme.
According to Ray Allegrezza, IHFRA’s Executive Director, the group’s ICON Award recognizes an individual who has made significant and withstanding contributions to the industry throughout the course of his or her career. Through selfless acts and service, the recipient of this award has displayed leadership traits to guide and mentor the future of the industry.
“Anyone familiar with Kathy, her work ethic, her causes, her mentoring and her numerous charitable outreach efforts knows that this award perfectly reflects the head, heart and soul of this phenomenal person, “Allegrezza said, adding, “Having had the pleasure of working with Kathy for many years, I can attest to the fact that she is the real deal.”
Founded in 1993, the kathy ireland® Worldwide brand, celebrates a lifestyle. Our missions of...solutions™ est. 1998 ... soluciones™ est. 1998, translate to all kiWW® collections, including: fashion, fine jewelry, intimate apparel, skincare, accessories, weddings, home, office and more. kiWW®’s unique capability to design and translate fashion trends for all markets and price points allows it to develop product for a wide variety of customer tastes.
Kathy has graced the cover of Forbes Magazine twice (2012, 2016), is listed as the 25th most powerful brand globally by License! Global Magazine and according to Fairchild Publications, Kathy Ireland® is one of the 50 most influential people in fashion. The success of kathy ireland® Worldwide is the result of teamwork and dedication.
Kathy and kiWW® support many non-profits including: YWCA Greater Los Angeles for which she is an Ambassador, Dream Foundation, Providence Educational Foundation, 911 for Kids/AEF, and the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Kathy is the first-ever National PTA Ambassador for Youth. Kathy is an Ambassador for the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation.
As a powerful advocate for Israel, Kathy has spoken out for the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) conference, with global leaders, including, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Shimon Peres and President Barack Obama. Kathy is a member of WIZO, and is honored by the ADL and the JNF.
“Kathy, along with our other honorees is going to make this year’s FIAG an unforgettable event. Our ticket sales have been amazing, and we are encouraging everyone who wants to share in this amazing event to get their tickets, tables ads and sponsorships in early.
For more information about this year’s FIAG, please click here https://ihfra-cloud.flywheelstaging.com/events/2020-furniture-industry-awards-gala/
Samuel Kuo, Kevin O'Connor Join List of 2020 FIAG Honorees
Kuo, O’Connor, Named as IHFRA Honorees
GREENSBORO, N.C.—Shan Huei “Samuel” Kuo and Kevin O’Connor, both with Samson Holding Ltd., will receive top awards from The International Home Furnishings Representatives Association (IHFRA) at IHFRA’s 25th Annual FIAG set for April 24th at the Koury Convention Center in Greensboro, N.C.
Kuo, cofounder and chairman of the Dongguan, China-based Samson Holding, Ltd., a global leader in furniture, founded in 1995 with his wife, Yi-Mei “Grace” Liu, will receive IHFRA’s Pillar of The Industry Award.
According to IHFRA Executive Director Ray Allegrezza, “This award is presented to an industry leader who has distinguished him or herself with creative work and effort to improve, enhance and benefit relationships among representatives and other segments of the industry. This person’s actions and deeds have shown their commitment to the home furnishings industry, their community and to mankind.
O’Connor, also an industry veteran who currently serves as a consultant to Samson Holding Ltd, will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award, bestowed on an individual who had demonstrated outstanding and ongoing leadership and contributions to the industry.
This award, IHFRA’s highest honor to an individual, also salutes a lifetime of dedication, innovation and charitable efforts which have enriched and bettered the home furnishings sector.
“Through their hard work and passion for the home furnishings sector, both of these fine gentlemen have been instrumental in taking our sector not only to the next level, but have directly elevated each portion of the business,” Allegrezza said, adding, “It will be IHFRA’s honor to recognize the innovations, inroads and enhancements each has made to make our business better.”
For more information about FIAG, or to purchase tickets, program ads and sponsorships, please contact Ray Allegrezza at rallegrezza@ihfra-cloud.flywheelstaging.com, or visit the website at www.ihfra-cloud.flywheelstaging.com.
Andrew Koenig to be Honored at 2020 FIAG
High Point, NC—Andrew Koenig, President of Top 100 retailer City Furniture, will be honored as Retailer of The Year when the International Home Furnishings Representatives Association (IHFRA) holds its 25th annual Furniture Industry Awards Gala (FIAG) on April 24th at the Sheraton Greensboro at Four Seasons.
The Retailer of The Year is IHFRA’s highest honor given within the retail home furnishings community, recognizing an individual or organization that has demonstrated industry leadership, business achievement and service to the community.
According to Ray Allegrezza, IHFRA Executive Director, “Anyone even remotely familiar with City Furniture knows that this retailer continually raises the bar and leads the pack in areas including customer experience and green initiatives to everything in between.”
Andrew, who began his full-time career with City in 2006, learned the business from the ground floor, working his way up in almost every division of the company.
Before joining City Furniture, Andrew, who earned his MBA in Entrepreneurship from Nova Southeastern University—Huizenga College of Business and Entrepreneurship - studied Lean Philosophy at Toyota’s headquarters in Japan and introduced lean thinking to City in 2007.
Under his watchful eye, City Furniture has been on a lean journey ever since, which has also fostered a culture of mutual trust and respect, teamwork and a deep sense of urgency to continuously improve.
As a result of Andrew’s guidance, City has seen a myriad of major breakthroughs in turnover reduction, operational process improvement, customer experience, safety, associate satisfaction, strategic planning, financial success and much more.
“In my opinion, Andrew Koenig and other young leaders that share his vision represent the future of our industry and IHFRA is proud to recognize Andrew and City Furniture with our Retailer of The Year Award,” Allegrezza concluded.
For more information about FIAG, please visit the IHFRA website at www.ihfra-cloud.flywheelstaging.com