The International Casual Furnishings Assocation (ICFA) celebrated its brightest stars in retailing, manufacturing, sales and design in Chicago during the September 2012 Market. Awards presented included:

The Apollo Awards recognize retail excellence in the sales and marketing of outdoor furnishings. Finalists must demonstrate outstanding accomplishments and commitment to customer service.

Single Store Category Winner
Sunshine Furniture
Vero Beach, Florida

 
 
 
 
 
 

Multi-Store Category Winner
Patios Plus
Rancho Mirage, California

          To view the list of past Apollo
          Award winners, click here.
 
 
 
 
 
 

This award was designed to recognize and honor an outstanding sales representative within the casual furnishings industry. Candidates were selected based on leadership, professionalism, exceptional service, communication skills, knowledge and product training expertise. The winner of the ICFA Sales Representative of the Year Award for 2012:

Dean Smith, Dean H. Smith Associates, Inc. a representative for O.W. Lee for the last 31 years; Alu-mont for 23 years; Gold Crest for 22 years; Hanamint for 15 years; and Gloster for 8 years. After joining his father in the business in 1982, Smith worked for 10 years following the motto, “Profitable lines professionally represented.” Upon his father’s retirement, he traveled the entire territory by himself, covering Southern California, Arizona, and Southern Nevada. As business expanded, he formed Dean H. Smith Associates Inc.

To view the list of past Award winners, click here.
 

One manufacturer was honored in each of 10 categories for the design and quality of their products, along with their merchandising, customer service, ethics, communications and trade relations. Winners were:

Pride Family Brands, Cast Metal
Elaine Smith, Complementary Casual Products
Trans Ocean Import, Outdoor Carpeting/Rugs/Flooring
Woodard, Outdoor Lighting
Lloyd/Flanders, Rattan/Wicker/Woven Materials
Telescope Casual, Resin/Fiberglass
Treasure Garden, Shade Products
Tropitone, Tubular Materials Furniture
Gloster Furniture, Wood Casual
O.W. Lee, Wrought Iron/Aluminum

Manufacturer of the Year
From among the 10 category winners listed above, O.W. Lee was selected as "Manufacturer of the Year." Both the category winners and the Manufacturer of the Year were selected in online voting.

To view the list of past Award winners, click here.

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.

Lillian B. Winchester "Best of Show"
The Lillian B. Winchester "Best of Show" award was selected from among 11 category winners. The winner was Flight Woven Adjustable Chaise by John Caldwell for Brown Jordan.

Category winners follow:

Cast Metal: Martini Barstool by Kara Karpenske, Karmarron Design Inc., for The Veneman Group.
Complementary Casual Products: Dansk Coffee Table by Philip Behrens for Gloster.
Fabric: Crazy Horse Lemongrass by D2 for Outdura Corp.
Outdoor Lighting: Bamboo 120V LED Floor Lamp by Dale Klaus for Patio Living Concepts.
Outdoor Rugs/Carpeting/Flooring: Violet Pebble Yellow Outdoor Rug from Sawgrass Mills by Hatteras Outdoors.
Rattan/Wicker/Woven Materials: Flight Woven Adjustable Chaise by John Caldwell for Brown Jordan.
Resin/Fiberglass: Adirondack MGP Chair by Bill Vanderminden for Telescope Casual Furniture.
Shade Products: Plantation Max F-1 by Dougan Clarke for TUUCI.
Tubular Materials: Kantan Lounge Chair for Brown Jordan.
Wood Furniture: Solana Dip Down Lounger by Povl Eskildsen for Gloster Furniture.
Wrought Iron/Wrought Aluminum: Verano Arm Chair for Summer Classics.

To view the list of past Award winners, click here.
 

The prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award is reserved for individuals who have made exemplary contributions to the casual furniture industry and to their individual communities. The recipients for 2012 are:

Don Bottemiller grew up in the small town of Wadena, Minn. where his summers were spent working at Homecrest, a company started by his father in 1953. In 1966, after college, three years in the Air Force and two years at Control Data, Don returned to Wadena to work for Homecrest. In 1973, his father and uncle sold the business to Sperry & Hutchinson Co. and Don was asked to stay and run the business. In 1980, Don partnered with John Miles and purchased Homecrest back from S&H. Throughout his career, he contributed eight utility patents to Homecrest. He is still active in the company and remains a member of the board of directors.

John Miles began his career at Homecrest as vice president of marketing and sales. In 1983, he was named president of Homecrest's Crestmark International Division. Upon his retirement in 2001, he noted Homecrest's national and international growth and recognition, but said what he valued most was the lifelong friendships he had developed over the years in the casual furniture industry.

To view the list of past recipients of the Lifetime Achievement Award, click here.