At the recently concluded show in Chicago, major retailers came back again and again to revisit Veranda Classics’ Specialty Design Brand for Foremost, which amounted to nine new collections created for 2015 by a new American Design team led by award-winning designer Robert Taunton.

This diverse line-up of collections includes 100% all-weather wicker, cast aluminum and mixed media. Wow factors were new stone tables in marble, a stained glass fire pit and teak finishes on cast aluminum.

The solid marble table tops in the Rio collection, available in large round and rectangular dining tables, as well as a coffee and…

DALLAS - Attendee online registration is now officially open for the 2014 Int’l Pool | Spa | Patio Expo [PSP], taking place Nov 5-7, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla, with the educational conference taking place Nov 2-7.

Online registration is available at www.poolspapatio.com. Registration will be easier than ever on the newly redesigned registration system launched for the 2014 expo. Take advantage of early registration to ensure the availability of your most desirable conference, education and event selections.

“We can’t wait to bring the expo to the Southeast U.S.…

TUSCALOOSA, AL - Traditional hospital waiting rooms are often cold, sterile, uncomfortable, and anything but welcoming. To create a warmer, more soothing atmosphere, Phifer’s Designed Fabrics is offering a sprawling collection of sleek Phifertex® sling and cozy GeoBella® cushion fabrics bursting with color, comfort, and style.

This performance fabric collection serves up function and brawn 24/7 to withstand endless abuse from patients and visitors. Phifer’s Designed Fabrics are also stain resistant, moisture-wicking and easy to clean, even with bleach—the perfect line of defense against inevitable coffee and soda spills in high traffic areas.

Phifertex fabrics are infused with Microban®…

EAST HANOVER, NJ - For those who did not have a chance to visit the Veranda Classics showroom at the recent July market in Chicago, the New Jersey-based manufacturer wants retailers to see what they missed. 

While the 2015 catalog has not been released, images from the PreMarket showroom are available on the company’s new Web site at www.VerandaClassics.com. Retailers are encouraged to write down their favorite collections and contact a rep for an in-depth introduction to everything that’s new at Veranda Classics for 2015.

All Veranda Classics collections are ready to ship, and, if ordered by the…

CHICAGO - The ICFA Preview Show, held annually at The Merchandise Mart, saw strong attendance—up 22% over last year. The Preview Show is an invitation-only show held for the permanent outdoor showroom tenants on floors 15 and 16, and select exhibitors on floor 7, who are also members of the ICFA. This preview show gave attendees a look at the impressive new products that will also be available at the International Casual Furniture & Accessories Market September 16-19, 2014 at The Merchandise Mart.

“We are very encouraged by the strong turnout at this year’s ICFA Preview Market…

HIGH POINT, NC – The International Casual Furnishings Association has named Jackie Hirschhaut as its new executive director following the retirement of long-time head Joseph Logan.

Hirschhaut is the vice president of public relations and marketing for the American Home Furnishings Alliance, a trade association based that represents hundreds of manufacturers and importers of home furnishings for the U.S. market. ICFA is a wholly owned subsidiary of AHFA.

She now assumes leadership of the 370-member trade association dedicated to the casual furnishings industry, comprised of manufacturers/importers, retailers, designers, sales representatives, suppliers and media associate members.

Ward Usmar, vice president…

CALHOUN, GA - Surya has appointed Jim Levine to the newly created role of vice president of Surya Outdoor. Levine is a veteran of the casual furniture industry where he has spent the last 32 years overseeing business operations, sales and marketing, supply chain management and product design for a variety of outdoor product lines.

In his new role, Levine will be responsible for expanding Surya’s outdoor product offerings while also building and overseeing a sales force focused specifically on retailers in the outdoor products category. Surya’s outdoor lines currently include rugs, pillows and poufs, with ceramics, hurricane lamps, tabletop…

DES PLAINES, IL - All current remodeling market indicators showed an increase in the second-quarter 2014 Remodeling Business Pulse (RBP) survey from the National Association of the Remodeling Industry’s (NARI). Remodelers are currently seeing growth, from conditions in March, which had seen a decline in business conditions during the first three months of 2014.

Growth indicators in the second-quarter 2014 are as follows (rating is from 1 to 9, where 1 is much worse than a year ago and 9 is much better; 5 is about the same as last year):
• current business conditions increased…