The International Casual Furnishings Association (ICFA) has announced the finalists for the 2016 Apollo Awards. The program recognizes retail excellence in the sales and marketing of outdoor furnishings. Finalists must demonstrate outstanding accomplishments and a commitment to customer service. ICFA members will vote via online ballot for a winner in each of two categories later this summer. Finalists will be honored and winners will be announced at the ICFA Awards Gala on September 22, at The Field Museum, during Casual Market Chicago.

Finalists in the 2016 competition in the single-store category are Kolo Collection (Atlanta, Georgia); Outdoor Elegance (LaVerne,…

COPPELL, TX - Woodard, maker of iron, aluminum, and all season wicker outdoor furniture and accessories, has partnered with Traditional Home and House Beautiful magazines to transform outdoor areas into welcoming spaces. As the outdoor furniture sponsor for three chic showhouses, located in Napa Valley, New Orleans and Atlanta, Woodard furniture was featured in outdoor courtyards, porticos and loggias, as well as indoor rooms.

“Collaborating with the showhouse designers has been a very rewarding experience,” stated Bill Herren, Woodard creative director. “It has been enlightening to see our furniture used in creative ways in gorgeous residential settings. Consumers look to…

CITY OF INDUSTRY, CA - Outdoor furniture manufacturer SunVilla Corporation has launched their new website, which is now mobile and tablet responsive to enrich the online experience for customers and consumers. The redesign includes the new 2017 collections as well as the new domain www.sunvilla.com.

“We are excited to launch our new website in conjunction with the introduction of our new product offerings for 2017,” said Matt Weiss, senior vice president, Sales. “The updated layout and new features allow customers to easily navigate the site while experiencing our beautiful products. Our new Dealer Locator makes it easier for consumers…

LAKEVILLE, MN - Heat & Glo® is pairing with members of the architecture, engineering, and construction community to launch its Designers on Fire program. The campaign highlights signature projects from North America’s premier architects, interior specialists, and design + build firms.

Housed on Heat & Glo’s newly redesigned professional website, Designers on Fire puts a spotlight on how the brightest minds in the architecture, building, and design industry use fireplaces and stoves to create spaces of distinction. Featured projects for the inaugural launch of the campaign include:

Peak 8 Penthouse – Donna McAlear of New Mood Design: A…

WALLA WALLA, WA – Officials at Blaze King are mourning the passing of Emma Thielmann, whom they call “a dear friend and retired road warrior of our company.” Emma was upbeat, energetic and tireless in her efforts to promote the company. She traveled across Canada each summer for many years visiting dealers in close and far away locations.

“She was respected by dealers for her product knowledge, bubbly personality and her ability to assist both dealers and home owners with the selection of the most appropriate Blaze King for their application,” wrote company officials. “Emma worked at Blaze King…

POMPANO BEACH, FL - Serge Ferrari North America is pleased to welcome Angie Barraza to the sales team as Specification Manager. Angie will be working in the shade markets for the Southeast United States. 

Angie brings nearly 10 years of sales support experience to the company. She most recently worked for Sesco Lighting in Sunrise, Florida providing Inside Sales Support. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Applied Science, majoring in Business Management & Supervision, from Broward College in Davie, Florida as well as a Bachelor’s degree in Arts, majoring in Spanish, from Florida International University in Miami, Florida. Angie…

CHICAGO - Casual Market Chicago, held at The Merchandise Mart September 20-23, will feature three compelling keynote presenters to address a variety of topics including technology, styling trends and the latest outdoor trends.

For more than 35 years, Casual Market Chicago has been the must attend trade fair for outdoor living and, it’s the only show in North America dedicated to the casual and outdoor furnishings industry that is exclusively endorsed by the International Casual Furnishings Association (ICFA).

KEYNOTE PRESENTATION: INTERIOR DESIGN MEETS EXTERIOR DESIGN: TIPS AND TACTICS ON BLURRING THE LINES BETWEEN INDOOR AND OUTDOOR DÉCOR
Tuesday,…

CHICAGO - Casual Market Chicago, held at The Mart Sept 20-23, features must-attend special events and presentations. Attendees will see 250+ leading manufacturers in the outdoor/casual furniture and accessories industries in more than 350,000 square feet of exhibit space including more than 45 permanent showrooms on floors 14,15+16 and temporary exhibitors located in the7th Floor exhibition space.

It’s the first place to view the latest products, in a multitude of categories: Furnishings (including wrought iron/aluminum, cast metal/cast combination, rattan/wicker/woven materials, tubular materials, resin/fiberglass and wood), umbrellas, hammocks, grills, outdoor lighting, outdoor carpeting and rugs, garden accessories, tabletop, statues, fountains,…