Harden To Give Sustainable Talk at Las Vegas Furniture Market

Furniture World Magazine

Harden Furniture announced that Greg Harden will present “Sustainable Sells: How to Talk ‘Green’ with Retail Customers and Design Clients” to market attendees at the winter Las Vegas furniture tradeshow on Wednesday, February 11, 11 am – 12 pm, in the Living Green Pavilion seminar room, Building B, floor 2. The talk by Harden, one of the furniture industry’s most recognized environmental stewards, is sponsored by World Market Center and the Sustainable Furnishings Council (SFC). Consumers want to buy green and sustainable products, says Harden, president and ceo of New York-based Harden Furniture, but information is the key to sell-through in stores. “There’s a lot to know about how green and sustainable are different,” adds Harden, who was first to achieve Silver Exemplary status from the SFC for his American-crafted casegoods and upholstery manufacturing company. “And you want to be able to discuss the advantages of buying these products with your customers.” Harden’s Vegas presentation will help attendees define terms and identify marketing opportunities to reach shoppers who want to feel good about what they buy. Global warming, greenhouse gases and greenwashing are among the topics to be covered, as well as how to maximize exposure for this category of furniture products. Ethical consumers make up approximately 17 percent of the buying public today and this “intentional consumption” trend is expected to gain popularity in the next decade, according to futurist Andy Hines, a director at Social Technologies. In a 2008 presentation, Hines noted the coming “stampede of the footprints,” a reference to public awareness of carbon footprints and an evolving economic system based upon conservation of natural resources. Throughout the Market dates, Harden will be on hand in SFC’s Living Green Pavilion in Building B, Space 200, for product demonstrations and to discuss marketing of sustainable and green furnishings. To learn more about Harden, please visit www.harden.com.