Joe Ruggiero To Co-Host 19th Annual Pinnacle Awards

Furniture World News Desk on 9/16/2014

ASFD reported that designer and TV Celebrity, Joe Ruggiero will co-host the 19th Annual Pinnacle Awards with Ray Allegrezza this October at the Fall High Point Furniture Market. “ We are thrilled to have Joe headline this year’s Pinnacle Award’s Banquet,” states Rick Schroeder, president of the American Society of Furniture Designers. “I don’t know anyone who has his range of expertise in furniture, fabric and interior design.”

Most consumers will recognize Joe Ruggiero from his work as design consultant on ABC-TV’s “Good Morning, America.” PBS’s-“This Old House,” “The Living Magazine” on the Lifetime Cable Network and the shows he hosted and produced for HGTV: “Homes Across America,” “The World of Design,” and the show that launched the network in 1994, “Rooms for Improvement” which he co-hosted with Tony Award winner, Leslie Uggams.

In the home furnishing industry with Ethan Allen he was the leader of the creative and advertising team that increased their revenues tenfold. As national spokesperson for Kohler, Joe was instrumental in the development of the Kohler "Coordinates" program; a comprehensive marketing program created to aid consumers in kitchen and bath remodeling projects. This was the first program of its' kind to show consumers how to coordinate home improvement products across categories; and created a new way for Kohler and its' eleven participating manufacturers to drive sales and build market share.

In the year 2000 Ruggiero launched The Joe Ruggiero Collection. Today he designs for: Miles Talbott, Upholstery; Sunbrella, Fabrics; Gat Creek, Made in America Case Goods; Decorative Throws for Textillery, Bedding and Drapery, Casa Fiora, Outdoor Furniture for Terra and Decorative Trims for Phoenix. This coming year will mark 15 years for the brand. A milestone in the Furnishings Industry.

Creating stylish and sophisticated environments that are affordable for consumers in many different life stages are Joe Ruggiero’s forte. As one of America's most trusted design authorities, Ruggiero is well-known for his ability to identify what consumers are looking for and showing them how to create it from both an aesthetic and practical point-of-view. During his thirty-year career, Ruggiero has been a leader in identifying trends and translating them into design ideas that have been embraced by consumers worldwide. "In 2008, I won my first Pinnacle Award and there’s nothing like recognition from your peers,” explains Ruggiero, “I look forward to sharing that experience with another designer, and especially since this year we will be awarding the first Student Design Award. It will definitely be their first.”

The Pinnacle Awards will be held October 20th at 6:00 pm in High Point at International Home Furnishings Ballroom. Tickets are on sale at: https://asfd.z2systems.com/np/clients/asfd/event.jsp?event=7& . For special seating arrangements in tables of 8 or 10 contact ASFD Executive Director, John Conrad at john.conrad@asfd.com or telephone (336)-307-0999.

ABOUT ASFD: Founded in 1981, The American Society of Furniture Designers is dedicated to excellence, innovation, education and originality in Furniture Design. Serving as the unified voice of the Furniture Design community, ASFD advocates professional practice and integrity, promotes the value of good design to the furnishings industry and strives to support, motivate and inspire the designers of tomorrow through mentorship and scholarship programs. ASFD - touching lives by design
The Pinnacle™ Awards were created in April 1995 by the ASFD board of directors to promote design quality and encourage the recognition of furniture designers within the retail home furnishings industry.