IHFRA Announces New Date, Location, and Honorees for FIAG

Furniture World News Desk on 5/2/2022

Pictured from top left: Neil Friedman, Ron Wanek, Tommy Leflein, Craig Anderson, David Koehler, Jack Hawn and Michael Anderson.

The International Home Furnishings Representatives Assn. has set the new date for its 26th annual Furniture Industry Awards Gala: October 21, 2022. In announcing the date, IHFRA also confirmed this year's honorees and a new location for the gala—the recently completed Nido and Mariana Qubein Arena and Conference Center, at High Point University.

“The new facility is stunning and hosting our Furniture Industry Awards Gala (FIAG) at High Point University dovetails perfectly with our theme: Students Of The Game—The Class of 2022 Honor Roll,” said Ray Allegrezza, Executive Director for IHFRA.

Allegrezza added that the upcoming FIAG will honor industry standouts who have not only improved their companies but have also elevated the industry’s image by making it more efficient, professional, and consumer-centric.

With that in mind, this year’s honorees are Ron Wanek, the founder of America's largest home furniture manufacturer and retailer, Ashley Furniture, who will receive IHFRA’s coveted ICON Award.

Jack Hawn, CEO at Zenith Global Logistics, will receive the Pillar Of The Industry Award and Top 100 Retailer, David Koehler, CEO of Johnny Janosik Furniture, will be presented with IHFRA’s Retailer of the Year.

Tommy Leflein, a veteran independent sales rep and an IHFRA past president, will receive the group’s Distinguished Service Award. This year, two IHFRA members, Neil Freidman and J. Michael Anderson will receive IHFRA’s Legacy Rep Award and Anderson’s son, Craig Anderson, will receive the Rising Star Award at this year’s gala.

“Last year, we hosted FIAG as a virtual event and it was great, but with the furniture industry being so familial and social, we are thrilled to go back to an in-person platform. 

And for me, the icing on the cake is hosting our gala at High Point University’s stunning convention center, $170 million-dollar state-of-the-art facility,” Allegrezza added.

“With our theme of saluting our industry’s best educators, mentors, and innovators, High Point University was the perfect home for the gala,” Allegrezza noted, adding, “and with Ron Wanek being such an amazing benefactor, and David Koehler having graduated from HPU, we all gave the venue an A+,” Allegrezza concluded.

Additional information, including ticket availability and sponsorship opportunities, will be posted on the IHFRA website, www.ihfra.org.

Interested parties can also contact Ray Allegrezza at rallegrezza@ihfra.org, Steve Allegrezza at sallegrezza@ihfra.org, or Bonnie Wallace at bwallace@ihfra.org.

About IHFRA

Founded in 1934, IHFRA is the largest association dedicated to serving independent home furnishings sales representatives. 

Based in High Point, North Carolina, IHFRA currently has in excess of 1,600 members and is the central hub of communications, education and programs for home furnishings sales and marketing professionals. For more information, visit www.ihfra.org.