WithIT Names 2008 WOW Awards Nominees

Furniture World Magazine

WithIt (Women in the Home Industries Today), the international organization dedicated to the support and development of female professionals in the home industries, announced the nominees for its 2008 WOW Awards. Winners will be honored at a dinner ceremony on August 13, during this year’s Education Conference, August 12-14, in Charlotte, NC at the Renaissance Charlotte Suites Hotel. The annual WOW awards recognize business leaders nominated by their peers who have contributed to the success of the home furnishings industries; have at least five years of industry experience; and have demonstrated significant impact on his/her company and/or the industry. Since 2000, WOW recipients have been recognized for exceptional service and leadership in the home furnishings industries. 2008 nominees in each of the four categories are: Legacy Award Nominees: For a woman of achievement who has made significant lifetime contributions to the home furnishings industry. - Peggy Burns, vice president, Circle Furniture - Emily Kiker Morrow, director of Color, Style and Design, Shaw Industries - Dianne Ray, owner, Garden City Furniture Mentoring Award Nominees For an executive or organization that has fostered advocacy, development or promotion of women in their company. - Mary Frye, president, Home Furnishings Independents Alliance (HFIA) - Claire Goldhagen, director of merchandising, Robb & Stucky - Ed Tashjian, vice president of marketing, Century Furniture Education Award Nominees Education Award – For an executive or company which has developed programs to educate associates, retailers or consumers about home furnishings. - Kim Green, director of sales training, Drexel Heritage - Joanne Pier, industry consultant - Jackie Hirschhaut, vice president of public relations/marketing, American Home Furnishings Alliance (AHFA) Future Leader Award Nominees For a woman under 40 who has demonstrated    outstanding achievement and the potential to become an industry leader. - Christy DiFoggio, president, Genre Brand Communications - Ricki Stark, director of retailer relations, PROFITsystems - Mary Leigh Wallace, vice president, RLF Communications In the spring, retailers, manufacturers, suppliers and other industry professionals submitted their recommendations for deserving individuals and businesses in the home furnishings industry to be considered as WOW awards candidates. Nominees are not required to be members of WithIt and may not be members of the WithIt Board of Directors or Board of Governors. Additional event information and conference registration is available through www.withit.org or by contacting Sara Lyke, executive director, at 336-880-2188. ABOUT WITHIT: WithIt (Women in the Home Industries Today) is the premiere international organization dedicated to the support and development of female professionals in the home industries. Established in 1997, WithIt provides educational and mentoring programs to benefit hundreds of participants and corporate sponsors annually. To learn more about the organization, membership benefits, or how to become a WithIt supporter, please visit www.withit.org. For additional inquiries, contact WithIt’s Executive Director Sara Lyke at (336) 880-2188, or email to withitexecdir@triad.rr.com.