THE INTERNATIONAL CASUAL FURNISHINGS ASSOCIATION (ICFA) has announced the finalists for 2015 Apollo Awards. The program recognizes retail excellence in the sales and marketing of outdoor furnish-ings. Finalists must demonstrate out-standing accomplishments and a commitment to customer service. ICFA’s members will vote (via online ballot) for winners in two categories later this summer. Finalists will be honored and winners will be announced at the ICFA awards gala, to be held on September 18 at the Field Museum during Casual Market Chicago.

Single-store finalists are AuthenTeak (Atlanta, Georgia); Hill Company (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania); Outdoor Elegance (La Verne, California); Patios Plus…

Manager: North America PACIFIC ENERGY (Duncan, British Columbia) has promoted Cory Iversen to the position of sales man-ager for North America. Duncan brings a wealth of experience to this position; for more than 25 years, he has worked with all parts of the company and has developed expertise in customer relations, identifying objectives, forming strategies, and creating action plans to improve short- and long-term sales

LYNN BORNEMAN recently joined Foremost Groups Inc. as senior designer and product manager—out-door division. In this role, Borneman will handle the designs and product development for Foremost outdoor mass and private-label business and will work in all areas of the outdoor division. She will manage the sample-production and development process for specific customer projects, as well as general Foremost product-line development.

She comes to Foremost Groups with 10 years of experience in product design. She earned her bachelor of industrial design degree at the Ontario College of Art & Design. She has served as product-design manager at Yotrio…

ARLINGTON, VA - This Oct. 1-2, barbecue professionals nationwide will gather in Kansas City for the first-ever conference aimed exclusively at the industry’s manufacturing side; The “All Barbecue Conference,” presented by Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association (HPBA) will be held at The Westin at Kansas City Crown Center.

Barbecue manufacturers can register for the conference, conveniently held prior to the American Royal World Series of Barbecue®, at http://www.hpba.org/AllBarbecueConference.

This day and a half event will feature a line-up of expert speakers sharing today’s most relevant barbecue industry insights, while forecasting future trends and market shifts. Sessions will cover topics…

QUEBEC - Officials at the Canada-based Industrial Chimney Company are touting a “colossal wood burning fireplace” called the Renaissance Linear 50 as its newest addition to the Renaissance Fireplaces family.

The guillotine door and firescreen combination make it unique for a linear fireplace, and the glass viewing space is the largest of any wood burning linear currently available.

The Industrial Chimney Company was established in 1991 by a small group of partners with over 75 years combined experience in the chimney industry. Their experience convinced them that the needs of customers are served best when products are sold…

GLEN RAVEN, NC - For homeowners searching to complete their outdoor living experience and indoor living comfort, the industry’s best options will now be made available to qualified patio dealers. Solair® Shade Solutions is expanding its product offerings to include versatile exterior vertical shades and window awnings for patio furniture dealers in addition to its renowned retractable awning line.

“This product expansion is an amazing opportunity for patio dealers to grow their customer base with shade solutions that will fit the needs of a variety of outdoor living spaces,” said David Heiman, Solair commercial sales manager. “Solair’s exterior vertical shades,…

JACKSONVILLE, FL – Florida-based Ebel is keeping the momentum going with Belfort, a new collection for 2016. As a new weave (smoke), the full seating collection includes Wingback Club, Wingback Club Swivel Glider, and host chairs for dining. The company will also be introducing five new table collections and new fire pits.

Ebel Inc was founded in 1988 with Anne Ebel (president) selling resin benches out of Virginia Beach, Virginia. Now, based out of Jacksonville, Fla, Ebel Inc continues to successfully operate – on a much larger scale – with the same “family company” values the business started on. That…

Gloster Furniture handed out its 2015 Sales Representative of the Year Awards to honor those who have effectively grown their markets in a strategic manner, and provided a level of service for their customers that far exceeds expectation.

• Doug Becht - Retail Sales Representative of the Year
As a 12-year Gloster veteran, Doug Becht has worked relentlessly to mold and grow an effective Gloster business within his territory, and this year his strategic planning and overall efforts have been recognized and rewarded. In addition to aligning Gloster with the proper retail partners, his focus on training and service…