WHFA and NHFA, along with their affiliates, announced four new industry partners for the 2011 Home Furnishings Industry Conference (HFIC) scheduled for April 30–May 2, 2011 at the Westin River Walk in San Antonio, Tex. Aspenhome, FurnitureDealer.net, MicroD and Serta have aligned themselves with this first-of-its-kind industry event that will bring together different knowledge, skills and resources from each sector of the home furnishings industry and show the true power of partnerships.
"Looking to 2011 and beyond, the opportunities for retailers and suppliers to network and partner will provide significant and needed synergies,” added Howard Haimsohn, owner of Lawrance Contemporary and HFIC Committee Chair. “Today, more than ever, our industry demands that the entire supply chain work together to bring design, value and service to the end consumer. The 2011 Home Furnishings Industry Conference will provide a great forum for partnering opportunities to be explored. At the 2011 HFIC, suppliers and retailers can engage with each other and share ideas, knowledge and a vision for improving our industry.”
These industry leaders join the continually growing list of other partners which includes: California Furniture Manufacturers Association, Home Furnishings Business magazine, Interior Design Society, International Home Furnishings Representative Association, National Home Furnishings Association, Southeastern Home Furnishings Association, Southern Home Furnishings Association, Western Home Furnishings Association and World Market Center Las Vegas.
The highly anticipated Home Furnishings Industry Conference has an energizing agenda geared to help retailers move their business into the future through workshops, general sessions, open forums, and a dynamic Expo with over 40 vendors from around the country. Home Furnishings Industry Conference partners receive additional benefits of increased visibility before during and after the event, co-host status, a comprehensive marketing campaign specifically highlighting their participation, as well as registration incentives for their members and colleagues.
“Aligning with the 2011 Home Furnishings Industry Conference demonstrates a level of commitment to the entire industry that is unmistakable,” said WHFA Events Director, Cindi Williams. “The 2011 HFIC partners are leaders in the industry who are ready to embrace the challenges that businesses face today. These partners are ready to put their knowledge, experience and vast talents to work keeping the entire industry united in a common cause—success for all.”
“It is far too seldom that the various segments in the Home Furnishings Industry are provided a chance to truly share and brainstorm together,” Haimsohn added. “Being a partner at the 2011 HFIC will provide your company with the opportunity to learn, share and help our industry move forward into tomorrow. This is the one educational and networking opportunity that you don't want to miss."
Retail members of WHFA, NHFA, all of the affiliates and designated partners can take advantage of the great buy one, get one free deal. One registration of $495 must be purchased and the second person can attend for free. Additional registrations for other team members are only $199 each. This makes it easy for businesses to bring multiple people from their store and learn even more valuable tools for business.
If you are interested in participating as a sponsor or partner of this event, contact Cindi Williams, WHFA, at cwilliams@whfa.org or (916) 960-0277. For more information about the Home Furnishings Industry Conference, visit www.homefurnishingsconference.com.
About WHFA, NHFA and Affiliates: The Western Home Furnishings Association (WHFA) is the largest affiliate of the NHFA, representing approximately 1,000 independent home furnishings retailers in more than 2,400 stores in 12 western states.
National Home Furnishings Association (NHFA) is the nation’s largest organization devoted specifically to the needs and interests of home furnishings retailers. NHFA’s membership comprises 2,800 corporate entities representing 10,000 stores in all 50 states and several foreign countries.
Aspenhome: aspenhome™ has evolved over the past 31 years from a small family owned home entertainment business based in Phoenix to a full line furniture company specializing in thoughtfully designed innovative products for the way people work, play and relax at home. Recognized as a resource for functional family furniture, the aspenhome™ collection includes bedroom, dining, home office, home entertainment, stationary and motion leather seating, and occasional furnishings.
California Furniture Manufacturers Association
FurnitureDealer.net: The company operates more than 500 home furnishings websites designed to help consumers find big ticket furniture, mattress, appliance and electronics products online and buy through local retail stores. The company’s clients include 25 of the 150 largest independent furniture retailers in North America and five of the industry’s largest suppliers. FurnitureDealer.net is the premiere Click-to-Store™ expert in the home furnishings industry, helping retailers and manufacturers implement successful multi-channel growth strategies that convert online furniture shoppers into local in-store buyers. FurnitureDealer.net provides world class websites with detailed product catalogs, product content management, search engine optimization, email marketing, sales training and channel integration consulting.
Home Furnishings Business: Home Furnishings Business provides relevant content that matters to home retail professionals. Our current delivery options include a business & strategy magazine, a daily newsletter, a website with both aggregated and original content, a continuing webinar series, and the Furniture Forum seminar program.
Interior Design Society (IDS): Based in High Point, NC, Interior Design Society fills an important niche in the residential interior design community. IDS is the trade association that recognizes and assists specialists in all walks of residential interior design, even those men and women who might not have a four-year degree in Interior Design.
International Home Furnishings Reps Association (IHFRA): IHFRA provides education, professional standards and services, legislative advocacy and communications for our membership to remain a viable, responsive and financially secure organization.
MicroD: With MicroD retailers can present their products to prospective customers using in-store computers or their websites; enable consumers to pre-shop for products; and when they are ready to buy, validate and pass orders to the retailer's business system; then transmit those orders via the Internet to the manufacturer using Exim Commerce edi services.
Pacific Furniture Dealers: West Coast buying group comprised of 60 independent furniture retailers, usually dominant or close in their Pacific Northwest communities, hitting popular price points.
Serta: Serta is proud to be the manufacturer of the World's Beat Mattress TM. Our commitment to quality has made us a leader in the industry, and we look forward to helping you find the right mattress so you can get a better night's sleep for years to come.
World Market Center Las Vegas: World Market Center Las Vegas is an integrated home and hospitality contract furnishings showroom and trade complex. The state-of-the-art campus showcases furniture, decorative accessories, gift, lighting, area rugs, home textiles and related segments. World Market Center currently hosts the biannual Las Vegas MarketTM, the preeminent total home market along with Gift + HomeTM and Vegas KidsTM.