THE INTERNATIONAL CASUAL FURNISHINGS ASSOCIATION (ICFA) announced its 2015 Manufacturer Leadership Awards following an online vote of ICFA’s retail, designer, and supplier members. The winners received crystal trophies on September 16, the opening day of Casual Market Chicago.

One manufacturer was honored in each of 10 categories for the…

THE LARGEST-EVER LAS VEGAS MARKET™—highlighted by increases in new registrations and overall attendance, as well as by expansion of leading showroom resources—exceeded buyers’ and suppliers’ expectations in August. The summer market celebrated its 10th year with five launches: casual/outdoor on C12 and C13; gourmet housewares on C11; better home decor…

WHAT MAKES ELITE athletes tick? What is it like to live your dream, every day, in the hope of a star performance at the Olympics? These are two of the themes that “Uncharted Waters,” a documentary following athletes on the U.S. Sailing Team Sperry, will explore in the final year…

HEARTH & HOME TECHNOLOGIES hosted its second annual Summer Summit in June at the historic Peabody Hotel in Memphis, Tennessee. More than 400 attendees participated in two days of customized breakout sessions focusing on best practices in online marketing, human resources, sales expertise, risk management, and profit maximization, as well…

EMPIRE COMFORT SYSTEMS HAS acquired the manufacturing rights to the Signature series of grills currently produced by Vermont Castings. Nick Bauer, Empire president, says that the acquisition will help his company in several ways. “These are high-end, U.S.–made stainless-steel grills with a great reputation for quality and durability,” Bauer says.…