LAS VEGAS - Las Vegas Market’s temporary exhibits – housed in the all-new Expo at World Market Center Las Vegas – are tracking to grow by more than 30 percent to showcase nearly 400 established and up-and-coming lines in seven easy-to-shop gift and home decor destinations for their Winter 2022 staging, January 23-26, 2022.

“The Las Vegas Market Gift & Home temporary exhibits are a dynamic hub of inspiration, offering one-of-a-kind products, West Coast only vendors, and an eclectic mix of home, gift, design, and fashion lines found nowhere else in the United States,” said Scott Eckman, International Market…

Contract shade designer and manufacturer Shademaker named Daniel Guelbart as its Sales Representative of the Year for 2021. Guelbart was recognized for his excellence in sales, territory development, and new customer growth for the industry-leading contract line. He represents Shademaker’s products in the Northeast.

Guelbart, who began working with Shademaker in 2011, was designated for exhibiting excellence in customer service, superior product knowledge, and territory and customer sales growth of the Shademaker contract brand, as well as Jardinico and other leading lines. With over 40 years’ experience in sales and marketing, he is passionate about showcasing best-in-class design for…

Marc Austein has joined Glen Raven Inc., a leading provider of innovative textiles and performance solutions, as vice president of corporate development. As a member of Glen Raven’s executive leadership team, Austein will work closely with Glen Raven leadership to identify and implement growth strategies for the company, including new acquisitions and partnerships for Glen Raven’s global business.

“We’re doubling down on our commitment to future growth through significant investments to enhance our operations and by hiring top talent like Marc. He brings to Glen Raven great passion, smart thinking and solid experience, and we’re thrilled to have him…

SattlerOutdura, a division of The Sattler Group, Austria, has promotedMariia Elizarova to senior designer for allOutdura casual furniture and Sattler shade fabrics. As part of the Sattler design team, led by design director Cornelia Pongritz, Elizarova is responsible for designing the beautiful fabrics that SattlerOutdura offers for their outdoor and shade collections. “Her relentless work and support for our Sattler andOutdura collections along with her stunning designs and inspirations reflect her passion to the industry and her commitment to our brand,” says Ulrich Tombuelt, Sattler Outdura CEO.

Elizarova is an artist and designer with a fondness for woven textiles,…

OWLee has added Laura Hutchinson-Sax as an independent sales rep for the New England territory. She will work with both retail and contract accounts. Serving the outdoor industry for 19 years, primarily in upstate New York, she recently expanded her territory to include the New England states. Prior to that, she worked in a furniture store as a designer.

“Laura’s experience and personal reputation make her a perfect fit for OW Lee in this region,” says Brenda Pereyda, sales manager for OW Lee. “We are thrilled to have her as part of the OW Lee team.”

OWLee awarded Calessa “Cali” Gomez with the CustomerWhisperer Award for 2021 for her outstanding service and dedication to the OW Lee mission. Gomez joinedOWLee in 2011 as a customer service rep. She has been a rep for just about every sales territory and enjoys building great relationships with retailers and other reps.

“Cali is great in her customer service position,” says Terri Rogers, VP of sales. “She has a great rapport with her customers and sales reps. She works hard to develop her working relationships and it reflects in the service she provides. Over the years, I have heard…

OWLee presentedCharlie Smith with its Sales Rep of the Year award for 2021 atCasualMarketChicago. Smith has been with OW lee for a long time, working alongside his father before taking over the Southern California and southern Nevada territory in 2016.

“Charlie has grown to be not just a great salesperson, but a great extension of customer service in this time of unforeseen difficulty,” says Brenda Pereyda, sales manager for OW lee. “He has stepped up and given our customer service help during our move to Texas.”

OW Lee’s Sales Rep of the Year award is decided collectively by…

David Fraser has joined FPI Fireplace Products International (Regency Fireplace Products) as president, replacing Glen Spinelli, who retired after a 26-year tenure. Spinelli was responsible for reshaping FPI’s go-to-market sales, distribution, and marketing strategies, ultimately leading the company to triple in size. Spinelli will remain an active member of FPI’s board of directors.

Fraser joins FPI with over 17 years of executive leadership experience in the residential, commercial, construction, and building materials industries across Canada and the United States. He has held executive and non-executive roles with manufacturing companies such as Rockwell Automation, Schneider Electric, United States Gypsum Corp.,…