CASUAL INDUSTRY CELEBRATES INDUSTRY EXCELLENCE
ICFA members and guests gathered at Hyatt Regency on September 16 for a dinner emceed by comedian and viral film maker Tripp Crosby. The evening was hosted by ANDMORE, the co-sponsor with ICFA of Casual Market Atlanta at AmericasMart. A portion of the proceeds from the ticket sales were ear-marked for ICFA’s philanthropic focus, the City of Hope.
The 2026 ICFA Awards Gala was generously sponsored by ANDMORE as host, Sunbrella sponsored the awards stage, after-party sponsor was POLYWOOD, VIP sponsor was Telescope Casual Furniture, Jesen Outdoor was the Platinum sponsor, gold sponsors included Barlow Tyrie, IHFRA, Lloyd Flanders, Outdoor Interiors, Outdura by Sattler, Plank & Hide, Richard Frinier Design Studio, Ratana, Revolution Performance Fabrics, Seaside Casual, Temp Patio, Treasure Garden, and Ultra Leather by Ultrafabrics.
Design Excellence Awards
Since 2001, the Design Excellence Awards have celebrated the best in outdoor furnishings. This year exhibitors were invited to submit their newest designs, and a panel of retailers, designers and trend watchers scrutinized the entries and selected the winners. More than 100 entries were evaluated based on their design, marketability, innovation, construction, color and creative use of materials. Judges named winners in 10 categories:
Chaise Lounge: Barlow Tyrie’s Harmony Club Chaise
Complementary Casual Products – Accents: TUUCI’s Pouffe Collection
Complementary Casual Products – Furnishings: Summer Classics Ridge Coffee Table
Dining Bar Chair: Summer Classics Aspen Dining Arm Chair
Dining Bar Table: Portica’s Vienna Dining Table
Fabric: Sunset West’s Margaritaville-Palm produced by Sunbrella.
Heating/Firepit: Plank & Hide’s 74” Linear Functional Fire Pit
Lounge Seating with Cushion: Pamlico Sound’s Laguna
Lounge Seating Without a Cushion: Sunset West’s Harbor Club Chair
Shade: TUUCI’s Cupola Collection
Lillian B. Winchester Best of Show
From among the 10 Design Excellence category winners, the Pamlico Sound by Soundstage Laguna Sectional Sofa received the Lilly Award for Outdoor Furniture, and the Sunset West Margaritaville-Palm fabric produced by Sunbrella received the Lilly Award for Outdoor Accents.
From these two finalists, the Pamlico Sound by Soundstage Laguna Sofa received the prestigious Lillian B. Winchester Best of Show Award.
Apollo Awards
The Apollo Awards recognize retail excellence in the sales and marketing of outdoor furnishings. Finalists must demonstrate outstanding accomplishments and commitment to customer service. Finalists were announced in June, then winners in two categories, single-store and multi-store, were selected by the ICFA membership through an online ballot in July.
Winner in the single-store category was Island Living & Patio of West Palm Beach, Florida. Finalists included Daylight Home & Patio, Paso Robles, California; Lawn & Leisure, Sterling, Virginia; and Villa Terrazza Patio & Home, Sonoma, California.
Winner in the multi-store category was Gasper Exterior Furnishings Studio, Furlong, Pennsylvania. Finalists in the multi-store category included Kolo Collection, Atlanta, Georgia; Offenbachers Home Escapes, Herndon, Virginia; and Sunnyland Outdoor Living, Dallas.
Lifetime Achievement Awards
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 2026 honorees, Terri Lee Rogers, president of OW Lee in Comfort, Texas and Cathy Buzbee, owner of ABSCO Fireplace & Patio, were recognized in spotlight videos featured during the September 16 awards celebration.
Rogers has made an extraordinary impact on the outdoor furnishings industry through her visionary leadership, dedication to excellence and commitment to preserving family legacy while embracing future growth.
As the first female Chair of the ICFA Board of Directors, Rogers broke barriers and set a powerful example for women across the industry. Her leadership has been instrumental in advancing both the association and the broader outdoor furnishings industry.
Under Roger’s guidance, OW Lee has repeatedly earned the distinguished Manufacturer of the Year honor, reflecting her unwavering commitment to quality, innovation and customer service excellence. Equally important, she has successfully guided the transition of the family business to the next generation, ensuring its continued strength and relevance for years to come.
A true pillar of the industry, Terri Lee Rogers has built a legacy of excellence that will continue to inspire and shape the outdoor furnishings community for generations
Buzbee’s remarkable career is a testament to leadership and unwavering commitment to excellence. As the driving force behind ABSCO Fireplace & Patio for more than 32 years, Buzbee helped transform her family’s business from a single location into a thriving multi-location enterprise through hard work, vision and dedication.
A respected leader within the industry, Buzzbee served for 10 years on both the ICFA and CFR Boards of Directors, contributing her expertise and helping shape the future of the outdoor furnishings industry. Under her leadership, ABSCO earned recognition as an Apollo Award nominee seven times and proudly received the prestigious award twice.
As a pioneering woman, Buzzbee distinguished herself through her confidence, integrity and willingness to lead. She was never afraid to share her perspective, influence positive change and serve as a role model for others. Her approachable nature and strong character have fostered lasting relationships with colleagues across the industry.
Buzbee’s legacy is defined not only by her business accomplishments, but also by the respect, trust and admiration she has earned throughout her career. Her contributions have left an enduring mark on the industry and continue to inspire future generations of leaders.
Manufacturer of the Year
Jensen Outdoor was named Manufacturer of the Year – Jensen Outdoor has built its reputation on exceptional craftsmanship, responsible sourcing and a commitment to creating beautiful outdoor living experiences. Guided by a dedication to quality, innovation and customer partnership, the company continues to elevate expectations across the industry while staying true to the values that have defined its success.
This year’s finalists, all of whom received Manufacturer Leadership Awards, included Castelle, Frankford Umbrellas, OW Lee and Telescope Casual Furniture.
Sales Representative of the Year
This award recognizes 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 2026 winner, selected from four finalists and determined through online voting, was Mike Madorsky of Livingston, New Jersey.
For 37 years, Mike Madorsky has built a reputation for integrity, responsiveness and genuine partnership. Serving customers throughout the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, he has developed strong relationships with retailers and manufacturers alike while maintaining an unwavering commitment to service. Known for his energy, professionalism and positive attitude, Mike exemplifies the very best of sales leadership in our industry.
Other finalists included Charlie Smith, La Quinta, California; Rob Robinson, Birmingham, Alabama; and Tim Wood, Chapin, South Carolina.
Dudley K. Flanders Leadership Award
Joy Odom, co-owner of ABSCO Fireplace & Patio, received the 2026 Dudley K. Flanders Sr. Leadership Award. Candidates for this award are executives under the age of 45 whose actions demonstrate a quest for excellence and the potential for strengthening and building the outdoor industry. The award’s namesake, Dudley K. Flanders Sr., guided the establishment of ICFA in 2008 and served as the organization’s volunteer leader in its formative years. He died in 2021, and the annual leadership award was created soon after to honor his legacy.
Odom has earned the respect of colleagues across the industry through her consistency, generosity and commitment to service. She leads by example, shares her knowledge freely and creates opportunities for others to succeed. Her influence extends well beyond her own business, ABSCO Fireplace & Patio, making a lasting impact on the people and organizations she serves. A longtime and active ICFA member, she currently serves with distinction as vice chair and board member and is slated to be ICFA Chair in 2027.
Mia Nault Unsung Hero Award
The Mia Nault Unsung Hero Award was presented to Kathy Jo Martin of Lloyd Flanders. The award was created in 2020 to call attention to outstanding customer service representatives at casual furnishings manufacturing companies. In 2021 it was named in honor of the inaugural recipient, the late Mia Nault of Ebel Inc. Martin is known throughout the industry for her professionalism, integrity and unwavering commitment to helping others succeed. She brings calm leadership to every challenge and consistently goes above and beyond to support customers, partners and colleagues. Beyond her professional achievements, she is a devoted mother, grandmother and caregiver whose generosity and humility inspire everyone around her
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The International Casual Furnishings Association, based in High Point, N.C., represents manufacturers, retailers, sales representatives and designers of outdoor furnishings plus suppliers to the industry.