The American Society of Furniture Designers announced the final call for entries for the ASFD Pinnacle™ Awards honoring excellence in design. Pinnacle finalists will include manufacturers and designers who strive for aesthetic and functional product innovation and will be recognized industry wide for their stylish and innovative designs.
Almost two months earlier than in previous years, the deadline for Pinnacle entries is JUNE 1. Late submission fees will apply for June 2 through June 15, latest. Finalists will be announced in a full page ad in Furniture/Today following the Judging in June; and winners will be awarded October 19th during a cocktail and dinner in the IHFC Ballroom during the High Point Market in North Carolina.
The 2009 Pinnacle entry forms and new detailed instructions in PDF format can be downloaded at http://www.asfdpinnacle.com/downloads.php.
For a free Pinnacle poster and entry form by mail, contact Christine Evans by email at info@asfd.com or by phone 910-576-1273. With the earlier deadline fast approaching, Pinnacle entries must be sent by Express Mail to ASFD.
Furniture/Today is the major underwriter of the awards. Additional support and sponsorship is generously provided by AkzoNobel, Appalachian Hardwoods, Elmo Leather, Furniture Design Studios, Häfele America Co., High Point Market Authority, Home Lighting and Accessories, Hickory Springs Mfg. Co., Home Furnishings Business, IHFC and Leggett & Platt Inc.
The twelve Pinnacle judges convening in High Point during June include:
Dr. Richard Bennington, Director of the Home Furnishings Program, High Point University; Gary Evans, Senior Editor, Furniture/Today; Ellen Gefen, Gefen Productions and Host of Industry Update Home Fashion Report; Jackie Hirschhaut, Vice President, Public Relations & Marketing, American Home Furnishings Alliance; Linda Longo, Editor in Chief, Home Lighting & Accessories & Editorial Director, Contract Lighting Magazine; Steve McKee, President & CEO, Home Furnishings International; Sheila Long O'Mara, Editor in Chief, Home Furnishings Business; Kip Pohlman, Instructor/Designer, Interactive Product Design Dept., Otis College of Art & Design; Chuck Portaro, Executive Management, Furnitureland South; Max Shangle, Chair, Furniture Design Department, Kendall College of Art & Design; Julie Smith, independent Trend Consultant and former Editor, Furniture Style, Home Fashion Forecast and The Retail Experience; and Steve Walker, Furniture Manufacturing & Management Center, NC State University.
About the Pinnacle™ Design Achievement Award: The Pinnacle™ Design Achievement awards were created in April 1995 by the Board of Directors of ASFD to promote better design quality and encourage the recognition of furniture designers within the retail home furnishings industry. As such the awards are intended to celebrate designs that are produced in large numbers for sale to customers through retail stores.