ASFD Pinnacle™ Design Achievement Awards Program Expands Product design awards to be given in sixteen categories; New corporate sponsors

Furniture World Magazine

Building on the growth and momentum of the last five years, the 2001 Pinnacle Awards program features three new categories, additional corporate sponsorship, and a larger location for the October awards ceremony. The three new categories to be added this year are Leather Upholstery, RTA Furniture, and the splitting of the Occasional category into Occasional Tables and Occasional Storage. "The additional categories are in direct response to requests from entrants as well as our distinguished panel of judges," claims Karl D. Felperin, 2001 Pinnacle Awards Chairman. "Our new leather category reflects both the growth of the leather upholstery industry and recognizes the unique design problems and opportunities created by leather. To make our occasional category reflect the real occasional market, a split was necessary. RTA gives those manufacturers in this industry a level playing field, particularly in the rapidly growing Home Office Category." Sponsorship has been obtained from fourteen industry suppliers, up from eleven in 2000. Sponsors include Appalachian Hardwood, Casual Living Magazine, Elmo Leather, Eubank Inc., FurnitureStyle Magazine, Hafele America, Inc., Hickory Springs Mfg. Co., Home Lighting & Accessories Magazine, Laminating Materials Association, Leggett & Platt Inc., StyleLife Designs, Inc., The October Co. Inc., Valspar and Weyerhaeuser. The awards ceremony and dinner on Friday evening, October 19 will be held for the first time at the IHFC Ballroom. "While the High Point Country Club has treated us quite well, the growth in entrants and guests requires a larger facility," says Christine Evans, ASFD Executive Director. The 2001 Pinnacle Poster will be distributed to showrooms at the April High Point Market. A mailing will be done in July. Deadline for all entries will be August 31, 2001. Individuals who want a free poster and entry kit should contact ASFD by phone/fax at 910/576-1273, 910/576-1573 or by email at asfd@ac.net. The entry kit will also be available for direct download from the ASFD website at www.asfd.com.