AS ONE OF THE WORLD’S LEADING hospitality-focused trade shows and conferences, HD Expo established record-breaking attendance and exhibitor figures this year, following a successful event at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, Nevada, in May. The final figures showcased significant growth for the industry show (which is produced by Emerald Expositions and presented by Hospitality Design magazine), with a final tally of 10,260 registered attendees, marking a 10% increase over last year’s total.

The show floor showcased the latest and most innovative designs and products from leading global manufacturers. It included 255,200 square feet of booth space, which was also…

CLINTON W. BLEVINS has been named vice president of business development at California Outdoor Concepts. A graduate of Chapman University, Blevins has spent the past seven years as a senior sales executive with the Los Angeles Angels baseball team (after spending the previous three years with the Anaheim Ducks hockey organization).

Blevins’ primary focus will be on directing the company’s strategies for accelerated growth into related products and new market segments. The skill set that Blevins developed over the past 10 years will aid him in this effort; his tenure in the sales arena allowed him to develop several…

OW LEE (ONTARIO, CALIFORNIA), manufacturer of high-end outdoor furniture, firepits, and accessories, has launched a new website (www.owlee.com). The new website combines a stylish new design with a comprehensive listing of OW Lee’s vast product line—while providing a user-friendly format.

The website helps consumers, designers, and dealers with instant access to dimensions, product-specification sheets, and high-resolution images. The website also offers an interactive firepit builder introduced last April, as well as specialized sections for to-the-trade and commercial- sales customers.

Leisa Rogers McCollister, marketing manager at OW Lee, says, “We are very excited about our new website. It provides…

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…