The International Casual Furnishings Assocation (ICFA) celebrated its brightest stars in retailing, manufacturing, sales and design in Chicago during the September 2011 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
Fruehauf's Patio & Garden
Boulder, Colorado

 
 
 
 
 
 

Multi-Store Category Winner
Summer House
Tukwila, Washington

          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 furnishing industry. Candidates were selected based on leadership, professionalism, exceptional service, communication skills, knowledge and product training expertise. The winner of the new ICFA Sales Representative of the Year Award for 2011, determined through online voting, is:

Gary Deane, G & R Deane Associates, Inc. Gary Deane is a sales representative for Goldcrest Cushions, Lloyd/Flanders, O.W. Lee and Treasure Garden. After 25 years with UPS, he made the decision to move to Utah to join his brother in the indoor furniture industry as a sales representative. After a few years, he realized that the casual industry was where he wanted to direct his future. He feels fortunate to represent four outstanding casual furniture manufacturers.
 

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

Tropitone, Tubular Materials Furniture
O.W. Lee, Wrought Iron/Aluminum
Laneventure, Rattan/Wicker/Woven Materials
Jensen Leisure, Wood Casual
Treasure Garden, Shade Products
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 eight category winners listed above, Tropitone was selected as "Manufacturer of the Year."

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 Ventura Deep Seating Swivel Rocker by Povl Eskildsen for Gloster Furniture.

Category winners follow:

Cast Metal: Atlanta Lounge Chair by Woodard Landgrave.
Complementary Casual Products: Apple Martini Stone Table Top by Veneman Collections.
Fabric: Heritage-Sunbrella Performance Fabric, Glen Raven Custom Fabrics.
Outdoor Lighting: Joi Powered by Thermologi by Caframo Ltd.
Outdoor Rugs/Carpeting/Flooring: Ravella Disco Orange by Liora Manne for Trans-Oceans Imports Company.
Rattan/Wicker/Woven Materials: Aman High Back Lounge Chair by JANUS et Cie. Resin/Fiberglass: Ineo Extension Table by Grosfillex.
Shade Products: Plantation Max Cantilever by Dougan Clarke for TUUCI.
Tubular Materials: Azore 34-inch Square Table by Povl Eskildsen for Gloster Furniture.
Wood Furniture: Ventura Deep Seating Swivel Rocker by Povl Eskildsen for Gloster Furniture.
Wrought Iron/Wrought Aluminum: Jax Stationary Lounge Chair by Scott Coogan for Woodard.
 

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 include:

2011 Robert D. Vanderminden Sr., Telescope Casual Furniture 2010 Ron Ball, Ball Casual Sales Larry Shaw, Lyon/Shaw 2009 Richard Frinier, Richard Frinier Collection Art Thompson, Laneventure 2008 Beverly and Bob Lee, O.W. Lee Joe Primock, Broadway Furniture 2007 Catherine Galbreath, ABSCO Fireplace and Patio Bill Lyon, Lyon/Shaw

2006 Allen Swers, Glen Raven Mills W.C. Vice, Casual Living & Patio Center 2005 Robert Brown, Brown Jordan Kurt Lorig, Anaheim Patio and Fireside 2004 James F. Baker, Tropitone Marie Schirmer, Schirmer's 2003 Brian O'Brien, Hoigaards Henry J.W. "Hank" Vanderminden, III, Telescope Casual 2002 Martin Fishel, Fishels Don Flanders, Sr., Lloyd/Flanders