24th Annual Trillium Awards Honour Canada's Top Furniture Companies

Furniture World Magazine

Canada's leading residential furniture manufacturers were honored by the Ontario Furniture Manufacturers' Association (OFMA) during the Industry's 24th Annual Trillium Awards Gala at the Verdi Hospitality Centre in Mississauga. Tim Kingsmill, 5th generation Vice-President/Secretary-Treasurer of the Kingsmill's 133 year old family department store in London, was Trillium's Guest Host and Master of Ceremonies of the largely "black-tie" event. Also participating as the key-note speaker of the evening, Mr.Kingsmill outlined his experiences as a former Trillium Jury Member, a group of 10 retailers who select the winners. In his presentation, Mr. Kingsmill urged his fellow retailers to get involved in Trillium. He noted that "Giving up two days of a busy schedule is a very small price to pay for the privilege of participating in the two day Trillium judging process". "Why'? he said: "Because you learn so much"! Mr. Kingsmill also went on to describe how his company and his retail competitors in the London area have formed a loose alliance with the objective of participating in a joint promotional venture using the Trillium Awards and associated editorial material as the basis for a two week furniture promotion. "We have generated significant increases (sales) for ourselves and all other retailers who participate" he said. "We have run this promotion for three years 1995, 1996 and 1997 and it just keeps getting stronger". Mr. Kingsmill was also on hand to present the "GRAND TRILLIUM': Award, the "Best-of-Show", the highest accolade in the Canadian Residential Furniture Industry which went to Hugh Owen of Owen's & Company of Weston, Ontario for their Kingsdown "Heather Glen" inner-spring mattress and box set. This is a first for Kingsdown and the first time a mattress set has won the Grand Trillium.For more information on Kingsdown, e-Mail them at kingsdown@worldnet.att.net A complete list of winners can be found in the March issue of FURNITURE WORLD or by contacting the OFMA Tel. 905/677-6561 Fax: 905/677-5212 or e-mail them care of FURNITURE WORLD at russ@furninfo.com