Will Schafer of Ashley Furniture HomeStores To Be Honored At GMFA Dinner & Dance Event in November.

Furniture World News Desk on 7/24/2014

The Greater Metropolitan Home Furnishings Association (GMFA) announced that Will Schafer of Ashley Furniture HomeStores has been chosen as the recipient of the 2014 Howard Liveright Memorial Award. 

Retailers, manufacturers, representatives and industry suppliers will gather for this annual event, a festive kick-off to the holiday season on Saturday, November 22nd, 2014 at the Palisadium, Cliffside Park, NJ.

Schafer, who operates six Ashley Furniture HomeStores in Central New Jersey grew up in the retail furniture business. He began his career in his father’s stores in downtown Trenton, NJ. After graduating with a Marketing degree from American University in Washington, D.C., he joined his brother, Gordon Schafer, who owned and operated 5 Gordon Furniture stores in the Philadelphia market.

Will opened his first furniture store in 1998 called Furniture Showplace in Linden, NJ with just 5 employees. In 2006 he opened his first Ashley Furniture HomeStore.

“Will Schafer,” notes Patrick Cory, Managing Partner of Cory First Home Delivery and President of the Greater Metropolitan Furnishings Association, “is one of those people whose reputation for excellence and commitment to our industry is exemplary. He supports many local and national charities including Ashley’s “A Hope To Dream” program that provides mattresses to children in need. He has done great work to benefit Hurricane Sandy victims and supports many other good causes. I can’t think of anyone more deserving to be presented with this high award from GMFA.

“In 2014 we will also honor Safavieh's Michael Yaraghi with the Jerry Gans Memorial Award, and Todd Weinstein as our Representative of the year, concludes Cory. These industry giants represent the best of what the furniture industry has to offer in terms of what they do for their customers, suppliers and communities.”

“This important event presents an opportunity for retailers, reps, manufacturers and suppliers to network with industry friends while enjoying great food, an open bar, music and dancing. This year we’ve added additional menu choices and improved valet parking,” adds Alan Granetz, Executive Director of GMFA.”

Reservations and Souvenir Journal: To get more information on attending this event, or to participate in a souvenir journal being prepared to honor Will Schafer, Michael Yaraghi and Todd Weinstein, please contact Alan Granetz, Executive Director, MFA, (908) 725-3460, email greatermfa@gmail.com.

About GMFA: The Greater Metropolitan Furnishings Association is a not-for-profit organization designed to foster, promote and protect the interests of retailers, representatives, designers, manufacturers, and service related industries in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. An affiliate of the representatives’ association IHFRA, GMFA works to foster a spirit of mutual respect and esteem among members in the home furnishings industry, hosts networking and social events, educational seminars, provides valuable discounts and is a voice for industry interests on national, regional and local levels.

About The Howard Liveright Award: The award was inaugurated in 1961 for the purpose of perpetuating the memory of Howard Liveright and to provide an opportunity to acknowledge people who have made outstanding contributions to the home furnishings industry.

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