The new award is Sales Representative of the Year, to be conferred for the first time in 2010. The program is designed to recognize and honor a sales representative who is a member of ICFA and an active partner with both retailers and manufacturers. Persons considered will be those who serve as an inspiration or model within the industry and whose service is considered both exceptional and innovative.

All ICFA members will be invited to nominate individuals for Sales Representative of the Year. Nominations will include a short biography and explanation of why the individual is deserving of the honor. Each nomination also must be accompanied by the names of two additional industry members who support the nomination. Voting will be conducted online, and the winner will be honored at the International Casual Furniture and Accessories Market in Chicago this fall.

In addition to adding Sales Representative of the Year, ICFA will reintroduce its Manufacturer Leadership Award this year. One manufacturer will be honored in each of 10 categories, including:

These two awards will be presented at a new awards event to be held this year on Wednesday, September 22. The event will also include recognition of the Design Excellence category winners and the Lillian B. Winchester “Best of Show” recipient. As part of its award updates, the ICFA agreed to conduct the Best of Show voting online.

Recognition of the Apollo Award finalists and winners, as well as the ICFA Lifetime Achievement Award winners, will continue to be reserved for a separate awards dinner event. This year that event will be Thursday, September 23, at Chicago’s Field Museum. A new online ballot is being developed for the Apollo Awards to make the voting a more inclusive process for ICFA’s growing membership.