THE INTERNATIONAL CASUAL FURNISHINGS ASSOCIATION (ICFA) has begun work on its first educational forum, slated for February 14 through 16, 2017, at the Hotel Valley Ho in Scottsdale, Arizona. Gary McCray, president of Klaussner Outdoor and 2016 chair of ICFA, says, “ICFA’s 2017 conference, Navigating the Future, will combine giving our members educational content that they can put to work immediately in their businesses and providing networking opportunities across our industry. In keeping with our focus on participation, the event is being planned by our conference committee of retailers, sales representatives, manufacturers, and suppliers with an eye toward actionable content presented in a very inviting setting.”

Marcia Blake, merchandise manager at Glen Raven Custom Fabrics, and Debbie Stegman, president of Elegant Outdoor Living (Bonita Springs, Florida), are cochairs of the conference committee. Noting that the program combines expert speakers and group breakout sessions, Blake adds, “The conference committee is planning to provide rich educational content for business-practice ideas, marketing, technology, and sales/recruiting, and it will also help facilitate collaborative discussions between retailers, manufactures, sales reps, and outside vendors.” In addition to the classroom sessions, the agenda offers a golf event and a retail tour of area outdoor-specialty stores.