WithIt 2016 WOW Awards Honored Industry Leaders
Furniture World News Desk on
4/27/2016
WithIt recently presented its 2016 WOW Awards during a dinner and reception event on Friday, April 15 in High Point. The annual WOW Awards honor the achievements of home and furnishings professionals and businesses that embody the organization's mission.
WithIt’s WOW Awards is the only industry-wide program dedicated to the specific accomplishments of women and the companies that support women in home and furnishings industries. Honorees recognized at the event were:
LEGACY AWARD: Connie Post, Connie Post Affordable Design Solutions
Connie Post of Connie Post Affordable Design Solutions was presented the Legacy Award, celebrating Post’s lifetime contributions to WithIt and the home and furnishings industry.
MENTORING AWARD: Renee Loper-Boyd, International Market Centers
Renee Loper-Boyd of International Market Centers was presented the Mentoring Award for her efforts to foster mentoring, development and promotion of women in her company and the industry.
EDUCATION AWARD: Patricia Bowling, American Home Furnishings Alliance
Patricia Bowling of the American Home Furnishings Alliance received the Education Award for her efforts to educate associates, retailers and consumers about home furnishings.
LEADERSHIP AWARD: Irene Crowell, Ashley Furniture Industries
Irene Crowell of Ashley Furniture Industries received the Leadership Award in recognition of her contributions and successful leadership in her company and the home furnishings industry.
FUTURE LEADER AWARD: Stephanie Lena, Somerton Dwelling
Stephanie Lena of Somerton Dwelling was awarded the Future Leader Award, which is bestowed upon a young woman who has demonstrated outstanding achievement and the potential to become an industry leader.
The 2016 WOW Awards were made possible through the generous support of International Market Centers. The awards were presented during a gala event with record attendance in IHFC’s International Ballroom, which had been transformed into a spring garden theme led by renowned interior designer Gary Inman. Students from High Point University and the North Carolina State College of Textiles assisted with decorating and attended the dinner.
More about WithIt: WithIt was formed in 1997 for women in the home and furnishings industries in order to support their multi-dimensional career paths. The non-profit network is based in North Carolina and supported by leading companies across the industry including their platinum sponsors International Market Centers and Heritage Home Group. WithIt’s purpose is to encourage and develop leadership, mentoring, education and networking opportunities for professional women in the home and furnishings industries. For more information, visit
www.withit.org.