Andy Bernstein, FurnitureDealer.net
Tri-State HFA announced that this year, Andy Bernstein, President and Founder of FurnitureDealer.net, will receive their "Person of the Year" Award, and will be the guest speaker at their November 15th awards dinner in Philadelphia, PA.
The award honors an individual who has gone above and beyond to help build business for home furnishings retailers and representative, and of course, their respective companies.
Andy started FurnitureDealer.net in 1996 with the vision of leveraging internet technology to dramatically improve the way home furnishings consumers do business through local brick and mortar stores. He and his team have pioneered and continue to innovate upon what is arguably the most successful approach to local, full service, multi-channel internet for big ticket home furnishings retailers. They refuse to do business with retailers who have no showroom, and/or who want to use the internet to market and ship products nationally.
Today, FurnitureDealer.net operates a network of 850 websites, including those for 50 of the 250 largest independent retailers in the US. The company focuses exclusively on big ticket furniture, mattresses, appliances and electronics.
Bernstein grew up in the retail furniture business that his great grandfather, grandfather and father ran. He spent most of his 25 year career in retail, technology and big ticket home furnishings. Before founding FurnitureDealer.net, Bernstein was a strategy consultant, helping retail clients leverage technology to accelerate growth.
Tri-State HFA also honors locals with various awards, some chosen by committee, and several nominated by committee and voted upon by the membership of the association. Voted awards include Retailer and Representative (of the Year) and Congeniality Award. The committee chosen awards include honors for innovative advertising, display, and two youth recognition awards, representative and retailer, respectively.
Nominees for Retailer of the Year are: Hitchener's (Salem, NJ); Mastroieni Furniture (Montgomeryville, PA); Dwelling (Manyunk); Just Cabinets (Harrisburg, PA); Lebow's Furniture (Royersford, PA); Beiter's (Williamsport, PA); Design Spree (Lawrenceville, NJ).
Nominees for Representative of the Year are: Shawn Weiser; Ron Adelman; Kevin Creede; Rich Fusco, CHR; Bobby Schwartz; Jay Ferber; Ron Kershner; Bill Jennings.
Nominees for Congeniality Award are: Jim Bellezza (Bell Home Furnishings-Wilkes-Barre, PA); Mike Holmes (Home Furnishings Market - Phoenixville, PA); Michael Dornblum (Dwelling- Manyunk {Philadelphia}); Alan Cooper (Diamond Furniture Outlet-Clifton Heights, PA); Jim Rivera (Raymour & Flanigan-Lawrenceville, NJ); Ernie Digiacomo (Raymour & Flanigan - King of Prussia, PA).
Committee chosen awards include: Senior Service Award being presented to Larry Mastroieni, Sr.; Young representative to Chris Clarizio; Young Retailer to Bob Todd, Jr. of Nehlig's (Stratford, NJ); Retail Display to Mealey's (several location in PA & NJ); Retail Advertising to Diamond Furniture.
Dinner this year will be held on November 15, 2011 at Crowne Plaza Downtown at 1800 Market Street in Philadelphia. Formal invitations will be sent later this summer. Anyone wanting additional information can contact Cathy Reed, CHR via e-mail tshfa_Cathy@hotmail.com or tshfaCathy.reed135@gmail.com or by phone (215) 646-5831.