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.
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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
District Chair Positions Open on the Board
As part of an ongoing mission to solicit input from all of our active members, IHFRA will be holding elections this month for four Board of Directors' seats.
The positions, also referred to as District Chairs, are open to all active IHFRA members who would like to have their voices heard and who want to take a more active role in our group.
IHFRA is looking for one person from the West Coast, East Coast, Midwest and the South. The term is for a two year period.
Interested members are encouraged to send their names and contact information along with a brief summary statement of why you would like to be on the Board to Ray Allegrezza at rallegrezza@ihfra-cloud.flywheelstaging.com.
The deadline to submit your credentials is October 23rd.
In the event no candidates present themselves for any of the four regions, the current Board of Directors will select someone for the two-year term.
The Hall of Fame Wants IHFRA!
As a valued sales professional you are vital to our industry. We extend a special invitation to IHFRA Members to join the ranks of leaders:
- Banquet Tickets: $150 (1/2 of the regular ticket price!)
- Bring a Retailer Tickets: 2 for $250
Where else can you take a customer for drinks, dinner, a world-class speaker, an inspiring induction experience, and...unmatched networking with industry leaders?
2019 Inductees:
- Jake Jabs, American Furniture Warehouse
- Clement "Clem" M. Lange, Best Home Furnishings
- Paul Maitland-Smith, Maitland-Smith Ltd & Theodore Alexander, Inc.
- Jim McIngvale, Gallery Furniture
October 20, 2019
5:30 - 9:00 pom
Sheraton Greensboro at Four Seasons
Midwest Furniture Club Hosts Charity Golf Outing
(l to r) MFC Members: Ron Easter, Mark Dilling, Mike Connors, Jay Hogg, Gene Dilling, Bill Van Kat
Mike Connors, MFC; Mike Samuel, Steinhafel's; Chris Udouj, MFC; Dan O'Connell, MFC
Howard Fager, Roomplace; Brad Cofoid, MFC; Bill Van Kat, MFC; Jeff Sherman, The Bedding Group
Corey Chen, MFC
Scott Amundson, MFC
Scott Amundson, John Krause, Matt Krause, and Kevin Peterson
Arthur Serck, Mark Dilling, Rick Slovy, and Mike Connors. Many thanks go to Mark Dilling for organizing the event!
Marty Sobel, MFC; Bob Scheuneman, DeYoung's Furniture; and Arthur Serck, MFC
The Midwest Furniture Club kicked off its Annual Golf Outing at Whisper Creek Country Club in Huntley, IL on August 6, 2019 with a shotgun start. This event is held in memory of Bill Krause, and to raise money for his favorite charity, the A.G. Bell Montessori & Alternatives in Education for the Hearing Impaired (www.agbms.org). The Club has raised over $100,000 for the school over the last 10 years with this event. By offering golf packages and sponsorship options, as well as a raffle and auction, everyone can find ways to participate.
Office Depot|Office Max - there's more than meets the eye
The IHFRA discount with Office Depot | Office Max is one of, if not THE favorite benefit among our members. We love it too! But there are a few things you may not know about it!
- The SPC (Store Procurement Card) will get you the discount no matter how you pay for the order, and it works in the store or online.
- it is on the website when you log in (available only to active members)
- You can print it and take it to your local store; they will laminate it for you to keep in your wallet
- there are instructions on our website to text it directly to your phone
- Our program has improved over the last couple of years. We used to be on the K-12 teacher discount program. So your discounts were limited to products teachers would buy. Now we get discounts on EVERYTHING!
- We get 10% off technology!! That's computers, laptops, tablets, keyboards & accessories, etc.
- We get a 10% discount off name-brand inks and toners.
- We get a 20% discount off store-brand inks and toners.
- Could you use an extra $34 every time you buy toner? If you buy the HP951/950XL Combo pack (for example), you could!
- Set up an online portal:
- place your copy/print order online and then pick it up in the store.
- order products online (www.business.OfficeDepot.com) at IHFRA pricing
- OfficeDepot.com is regular retail pricing. Our online account is on Business.OfficeDepot.com. The link to set up your account is on our website when you are logged in as a member.
- We get 20 - 55% off retail on cleaning and break room products. Lots of things you need for your home like trash bags, candy, snacks, coffee, Clorox wipes, etc.
- Any order you place online over $50 will be delivered FREE.
- Special pricing on Copy and Print:
- 2.5¢ black & white copies
- 22¢ color copies
- 40% off finishing services
Log in to the website now and go to the benefits page. Go to "Office Supply/Printing" to the section on Office Depot | Office Max to find links and instructions for setting up your online portal account. Instead of ordering from Amazon, go to your online portal and get it there instead!
If you aren't yet a member of IHFRA and want to get discounts like these, along with lots of other benefits, click here and JOIN NOW!
New Benefit Programs
We've added new benefit programs that you'll want to take advantage of. All offer IHFRA members discounts on their services:
- Legal Zoom - "where life meets legal" With attorneys in all 50 states, they can help with wills & trusts, LLC's, copyrights & patents, and much more. You can speak with an attorney directly.
- FreightPal - a user-friendly software platform that lets you put in the specifics about a package and you'll get instant quotes from multiple carriers so you can compare and choose. Then print your label and ship the package, knowing you got the best price, especially with the IHFRA discount.
- Map My Customers - cover your territory and keep track of your customers more efficiently and effectively with this mapping tool. Offered to IHFRA members at a 20% discount.
Go to the Benefits tab on the website to find the full details on these programs.
It's Never Too Late! (to join or renew)
To take your mind off the unrelenting heatwave blanketing the country, IHFRA has announced a renewal deal so cool that even the ice cubes are jealous!
But a deal this sharp won’t last forever, especially in this heat, so you have to act fast and you have to use the special code JULY19.
Beginning today, IHFRA members who have not yet renewed can do so for only $77.50, half off the regular renewal price!
This will make you a member in good standing till the end of the year, qualify you for your IHFRA pin as well as for the full assortment of incredible member benefits that include everything from a cost-effective and comprehensive health care package to deep discounts on printing, office supplies, deals on hotels, car rentals, shipping, identify theft and much more.
For a complete rundown on all benefits you enjoy as a member of IHFRA, click here: https://ihfra-cloud.flywheelstaging.com/benefits/
There’s never been a better time to renew your membership at IHFRA and there’s never been a better deal, but you have to act quickly, and you have to use the special code, JULY19.
Midwest Furniture Club Announces Dates for Upcoming Furniture Show
Dates Announced for 13thAnnual Midwest Furniture Show
13thAnnual Show To Be Held September 17th,18thand 19th, 2019 in Niles IL
CHICAGO, IL April 19- The 2019 version of the Midwest Furniture Show is set for September 17th, 18th, and 19th. The Midwest Furniture Club is returning the event to the White Eagle Conference Center in Niles IL, a nearby suburb just north of Chicago.“We were very happy with our new venue last year,” says Allan Landau, the Show’s Coordinator for the fourth year. “Our customers like the fact that Niles is closer to Chicago than other locations” The Midwest Furniture Club produces the annual show.
Exhibitor sign up has already begun. “We’re off to a good start already,” says Landau. “Last year we ran out of space, so we’re trying to get back to our traditional vendor base and make sure they get their rental space reserved.”
The Show runs September 17th, 18thand 19th, 2019. Tuesday, September 17 will be a Preview Event running from 6 pm to 8:30 pm. On Wednesday September 18thand Thursday, September 19ththe Show opens at 8 am, closing at 6 pm on Wednesday and closing at 4 pm on Thursday.
Kirk Handley is the President of the Midwest Furniture Club. “This Show is something we do for our retailers in the Upper Midwest who don’t go to markets. We improve some things every year. We’re excited to try a Preview Event on Tuesday night to give our independent dealers another option to come work with us. We have some great traditions to welcome our returning attendees such as hosting a free lunch and drinks for attendees, as well as prize drawings, as well bringing in manufacturer’s and special deals for our customers. On Wednesday night, we will host a cocktail party for attendees and exhibitors to mingle.”
The Midwest Furniture Show is a regional furniture, bedding and accessories show that is run by the Midwest Furniture Club, the largest IHFRA chapter in the United States. Each year the show attracts around 25 exhibitors and 300 retailers from across the Upper Midwest.
“We love this show because 90% of our account base doesn’t travel to High Point or Las Vegas. This show drives a lot of business for us,” reports Ashley representative Geoff Weed. Weed is one of the original founders of the Midwest Furniture Show. He represents Ashley, one of the cornerstones of the Show. “We include marketing partners, our management, our new concepts and product lines and invite our entire account base to come and get deals. And we show it all: motion, stationary, bedroom, dining room, bedding, accessories, home office, entertainment and outdoor furniture. Our dealers appreciate it.”
“The goals of the show remain the same,” says Allen Landau, one of the Show’s co-coordinators. “We want all the retailers in Chicago and the upper Midwest markets to have the chance to see new furniture and accessories, see new lines, and talk with professionals in marketing, freight and back room operations. We come together to make their business more successful. The timing of the show is designed to help our furniture retailers and interior design community make the most of the fourth quarter and tax time 2017.”
"This is a working show. Exhibitors write business and retailers get to see a number of vendors in one quick day. They can eat breakfast at home and be back home for dinner,” says Handley.
“But we hope they stay all day. We will have coffee in the morning, a free lunch at noon and a social hour in the late afternoon of the 18th.”
The cost for exhibitors is remaining at $3.50 a square foot for spaces over 500 feet. A deposit of $2 a square foot is necessary to hold the reservation. Smaller spaces (under 500 feet) are available for service companies, advertising and marketing firms, transportation companies and accessory vendors at a rate of $4 per foot.
Space is still available for manufacturers or furniture service companies who want to participate. "For $3.50, our exhibitors get the whole package: rental space, marketing, pipe-and-drape and carpeting, a prime venue, free breakfast and lunch for exhibitors and attendees, access to many independent retailers in a major market, staging and storage assistance, and a lively social hour. Our only requirement, other than paying rent, is that each rental space have an active member of the Midwest Furniture Club in their space,” says Handley.
Anyone interested in attending or exhibiting can registerwww.midwestfurnitureshow.comor contact the Club at midwestfurnitureshow@gmail.com. Contact Allan Landau directly at 847-751-8279 with any questions. For updates follow us on Twitter at MidwestFurnShow, #midwestfurnitureshow or on Facebook.