Unfinished Furniture Industry Event Winds Up Successfully

Furniture World Magazine

More than 500 unfinished furniture professionals from across the country gathered in Columbus, Ohio recently for the 2006 Unfinished Furniture Association (UFA) National Convention & Trade Show. This event, sponsored annually by UFA, is the only show of its kind dedicated to unfinished furniture, accessories and related products. This industry event included educational sessions, evening receptions, and networking opportunities with industry leaders from across the country. Highlights included keynote speakers, a New Product Showcase, Industry Marketing Campaign Celebration and the association’s magazine Best Ad Competition. “We joined the association six months ago when we opened our store,” commented Mike and Maryalice Fuller of U-Finish-It Furniture of Augusta, Georgia. “We have been waiting for this show for six months, and it was more than we ever could have expected.” “We are truly convinced that the UFA National Convention & Trade Show is a must attend event for every representative in the unfinished furniture industry,” commented Heather Petet, UFA Executive Director. “The UFA National Convention & Trade Show offers networking opportunities and a forum for exchanging ideas with industry representatives that you can’t find anywhere else. On behalf of UFA, we wish to thank the exhibitors and retailers who contributed to the success of this year’s show!” While retailers and their businesses benefited from the event, the influence of the UFA Trade Show & Convention did not end there. The Christian Children’s Home of Ohio (CCHO) was selected as the official UFA Charity of Choice, receiving more than $25,000 worth of unfinished and finished furniture products at the completion of the show. CCHO collected tables, chairs, bookcases, bunk beds, decorations and more that are already being used in homes. Sponsors contributing to the success of this year’s event included Woodcraft Industries, Whitewood Industries, Archbold Furniture Company, Arthur W. Brown, Inwood Furniture Manufacturing, John Greenleaf Furniture, Khoury, Inc., and WoodAmerica Furniture Corporation. UFA is a national trade association of more than 350 retailers, manufacturers and sales representatives in the United Sates, Canada and Bahamas whose mission is to support the growing unfinished furniture industry. For more information on becoming a member of UFA, or for information on other UFA programs and services, contact UFA, 15000 Commerce Parkway, Suite C, Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054; phone: 800-487-8321; fax: 856-439-0525; or visit www.unfinishedfurniture.org.