Heads up trend-types! Women In The Home Industries Today (WITHIT), the premiere international organization dedicated to the support and development of female professionals in the home industries, is extending early registration discounts for its upcoming Education Conference exclusively for High Point Market e-Newsletter readers.
Now, until Friday, June 20th, when you register for The Future’s In Our Hands—set for August 12-14 at the Renaissance Suites Hotel in Charlotte, NC—you can qualify for lower prices on registration fees and a chance to win an iPod Touch at a drawing during the conference known for exploring global business, home design and consumer trends.
As always, the WITHIT team has worked hard to provide a stellar speaker line up. This year’s keynoters include Leslie Haskins, who found her way back to executive leadership after her comfortable life was shattered when she survived the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center, and Andy Hines, futurist and director of custom projects for Social Technologies, and an adjunct professor of futures studies at the University of Houston MS Program in Futures Studies. Haskins is an author, leader and founder of a nonprofit organization who travels extensively sharing her remarkable journey of healing, and spreading a message of encouragement. Hines, meanwhile, is motivated by a desire to make foresight practical and useful, and believes that global understanding can help deliver the insight that is so needed in today’s organizations and the world.
A variety of pre-conference workshops, breakout sessions and informative roundtable discussions are also on the agenda, as are the 2008 WOW Awards. The annual WOW awards recognize business leaders who have contributed to the success of the home furnishings industries; have at least five years of industry experience; and have demonstrated significant impact on his/her company and/or the industry.
Since 2000, WOW recipients have been recognized for exceptional service and leadership in the home furnishings industries. 2008 nominees in each of the four categories are:
Legacy Award Nominees
For a woman of achievement who has made significant lifetime contributions to the home furnishings industry. |
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Dianne Ray
president, Garden City Furniture |
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Emily Kiker Morrow,
director of color, style and design, Shaw Industries |
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Peggy Burns,
vice president/owner, Circle Furniture |
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Mentoring Award Nominees
For an executive or organization that has fostered advocacy, development or promotion of women in their company. |
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Ed Tashjian,
vice president of marketing, Century Furniture |
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Mary Frye,
association president, Home Furnishings Independents Association (HFIA) |
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Claire Goldhagen,
upholstery merchandise manager, Robb & Stucky |
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Education Award Nominees
Education Award – For an executive or company which has developed programs to educate associates, retailers or consumers about home furnishings. |
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Kim Green,
director of sales training, Drexel Heritage |
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Joanne Pier,
consultant-design and consumer education |
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Jackie Hirschhaut,
vice president of public relations/marketing, American Home Furnishings Alliance (AHFA) |
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Future Leader Award Nominees
For a woman under 40 who has demonstrated outstanding achievement and the potential to become an industry leader. |
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Christy DiFoggio,
president, Genre Brand Communications |
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Mary Leigh Wallace,
vice president, RLF Communications |
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Ricki Stark,
director of retailer relations, PROFITsystems |
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Earlier this spring, retailers, manufacturers, suppliers and other industry professionals submitted their recommendations for deserving individuals and businesses in the home furnishings industry to be considered as WOW awards candidates. Nominees are not required to be members of WithIt and may not be members of the WithIt Board of Directors or Board of Governors.
Sponsored by a host of major industry manufacturers, retailers and suppliers (including the High Point Market Authority), the conference is open to WithIt members and non-members, both men and women, in the home furnishings industry.
In addition to the WOW Awards and Education Conference, WITHIT supports scholarships, mentoring programs, speakers and special events at major markets and a variety of regional events across the country. Additional event information and conference registration is available through www.withit.org or by contacting Sara Lyke, executive director, at 336-880-2188.