Maslia To Receive ICON Honor
The late Albert David Maslia will be named the GHTA/Gift for Life Honor of Excellence recipient at the fifth annual ICON HONORS celebration on Thursday, July 10, 2014 at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis. Maslia, who at his April 9, 2014 passing was Managing Director of Retail Services for AmericasMart® Atlanta, was a veteran retailer having begun his long career at Rich’s department store, and later going on to found the highly successful Linen Loft and Social Expressions specialty-store chains. The GHTA/Gift for Life Honor of Excellence is named by independent action of the judges, at their sole discretion and initiation, from the field of ACHIEVEMENT nominees. “Albert was, and is, an absolutely irreplaceable presence of vitality, energy and optimism,” notes Jeffrey L. Portman, Sr., vice chairman, president and chief operating officer of AmericasMart Atlanta, the founder and primary sponsor of ICON HONORS. “His imprint on who we are, and what we do as an industry, is unmistakable and indelible. His life and legacy touches all of us in many, many ways,” Portman adds. An Atlanta native, Maslia worked at the venerated Rich’s Department Store from 1952 to 1978. He began in the training program as a shoe salesman in the basement and worked through the ranks to become a senior vice president and member of the Board of Directors. After 26 years at Rich’s, he left to create two well-known and successful local retail chains ocial Expressions and The Linen Loft. After 22 years at Social Expressions, growing the business to 14 stores in the metro-Atlanta area and selling the chain to American Greetings, Maslia moved on to his next venture becoming the Managing Director of Retail Services for AmericasMart, a retailinstructor at the Goizueta Business School at Emory University and a consultant for a variety of organizations including American Greetings and the Small Business Administration. Always committed to assisting and empowering the Atlanta community, Maslia was involved with a variety of associations, boards and committees such as: the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, Lenox Square Merchants’ Association, Underground Atlanta Merchants’ Association, Emory University Business School Alumni Board, Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, Congregation Or VeShalom Synagogue, Buckhead Business Association, City of Atlanta Board of Zoning Adjustment, Fulton County Board of Assessors, Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl and Cornerstone Bank of Atlanta. Part of his legacy to his wife of 60 years, Lucy, his four children Dianne, Elise, Stephanie and Darryl, his 12 grandchildren and great-grandson, was his fervent belief that people are more important than things. Throughout this life and career, Maslia stuck by his ideals and mentored countless friends and colleagues to do the same. The ICON HONORS 2014...
AmericasMart Presents Slate of Events for Summer Market
Complementing its vast home, gift and rug product resources, AmericasMart® presents a long and diverse slate of special events at The Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market®(showrooms: Tuesday, July 8 – Tuesday, July 15, 2014; temporaries: Thursday, July 10 – Monday, July 14, 2014 and Atlanta International Area Rug Market® (Wednesday, July 9 – Saturday, July 12, 2014). The industry-leading programming features personalized presentations by thought leaders from across the design, gourmet, publishing and retail spectrum—with seminars addressing such topics asmotivating millennials, modern entertaining trends, decorating tips and revenue-producing store displays. HGTV stars, creative leaders and design giants bring their unique points-of-view to Building 1 with a series of events. Brian Patrick Flynn of Flynnside Out Productions presents “What Is That Designer Doing With That Rug?” as well as “Real and Artificial: The Best of Both Worlds.” Matt Wood, creative director of Winward International, showcases classic styling of the line’s trademark blue and white accessories. John Gidding, host of HGTV’s “Curb Appeal: The Block” shares his most popular client requests for indoor and outdoor design. Christiane Lemieux, founder and creative director of Dwell Studio, teaches how to incorporate brand elements and signature looks in design projects. Michael Sims of Lion Ribbon and Terry Fry of Jim Marvin Ltd. share how to use ribbon and trim for holiday designs and home accessories. And, famed interior designer Stan Topol inspires designers throughout the Market with a new vignette showcasing his signature style. The Demonstration Kitchen on Building 2, Floor 8 comes to life with cooking classes lead by stars of the local and national culinary community. Sunny Anderson of Food Network’s “The Kitchen” teaches how to create comfort meal classics with a clean twist. Chadwick Boyd of the Lovely and Delicious blog makes vegetables the star of the party in his presentation “Entertaining with Vegetables: From Root to Stalk to Tabletop.” Local success Sara Justice, the lead bartender at Holeman and Finch Public House, demonstrates how to lighten up cocktails, lemonades and punches for the summer. Celebrated chef and retailer Mary Moore closes out the gourmet programming with an exclusive presentation on Sunday, July 13. Complementing the gourmet programming, Kelly Kegans, senior deputy editor of Home Design at Better Homes and Gardens Magazine presentsa lively look at entertaining today in the Building 2, Floor 9 Seminar Room. In addition to inspirational design and cuisine, AmericasMart also presents business-building classes. In an info-packed presentation designed specifically for AmericasMart exhibitors and buyers, Lisa Orrell, The Generations Relations & Leadership Expert, gives insight on how to more effectively sell to the “new” generation of consumers: the Millennials.” Becky Tyre, senior trends editorof GIFT SHOP...
Feizy Names Vance VP-Marketing
Kim Vance has been named Vice President of Marketing and Communications it was announced today by Leah Feizy, Executive Vice President, to whom she will report. In this position Ms. Vance will be responsible for leading the development of brand strategy, product marketing and corporate communications for the company. “Kim’s extensive experience across both digital and traditional marketing mediums makes her a tremendous addition to Feizy,” said Ms. Feizy. “She is a terrific creative and strategic thinker which will be invaluable in today’s ever changing home accents industry.” Prior to joining Feizy Rugs, Ms. Vance was the President and Founder of Trugenius Marketing where she spent more than a decade as a consultant for a broad array of clients including Dr. Pepper Snapple Group, Solomon Associates, RiseSmart and Reachout Home Care. Ms. Vance began her career at 7-Eleven, Inc. in a corporate communication role. “I grew up in the design industry with parents who were decorators so joining the team at Feizy feels like coming home,” said Ms. Vance. “Getting to be a part of such an established brand, while having the opportunity to increase our digital presence and global reach is very exciting.” A native of Texas, Ms. Vance is a graduate of Baylor University with a B.B.A. in Marketing and an M.B.A. from the University of Texas at Dallas. She lives in Dallas with her two young sons, Noah and...
Icon Set To Rock Market
Heart, led by Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees Ann and Nancy Wilson, will headline the fifth annual ICON HONORS celebration in an exclusive private performance before a sell-out audience of 2014 Finalists, Honorees and guests from across the home and gift industry on Thursday, July 10 at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis. Storming the charts in the 1970s with hits like “Crazy on You,” “Magic Man,” “Barracuda,” “Straight On,” and so many more, Heart showed the world that women can rock, with the Wilson sisters leading the band, writing the songs and playing the instruments, too, making them the first women in rock to do so. Heart continued topping the charts through the 1980s and 1990s with huge hits like “These Dreams,” “Alone,” “What About Love,” “If Looks Could Kill,” “Never,” and a string of other hits that showcased the sisters’ enormous talents as musicians and singers. “Heart is a powerful force of creative energy and musical innovation,” says Jeffrey L. Portman, Sr., vice-chairman and president of ICON HONORS co-sponsor AmericasMart Atlanta. “The Wilson sisters defined a genre of 1970s musical style with a breakthrough sound of unmatched intensity and energy. That’s exactly what we will see and hear on the 2014 ICON HONORS stage,” Portman adds. As individuals, the sisters also have achieved significant success. Ann sang on songs that were both chart successes and motion picture themes, like “Almost Paradise” from “Footloose,” “Best Man in the World” from “Goldenchild,” and “Surrender to Me” from “Tequila Sunrise,” while Nancy composed and performed the scores to a half dozen motion pictures including the award winning “Jerry Maguire” and “Almost Famous.” Along the way, music by Ann and Nancy Wilson and their band Heart sold more than 35 million albums, sold out arenas worldwide, and found their way into the soundtrack of American life through radio, motion pictures, television, and associations with branded sponsors. Today, songs made famous by Heart are heard in every aspect of contemporary culture. Nearly 35 years after their first big hit, Ann and Nancy Wilson were back in the Billboard Top 10 in 2010 with Heart’s “Red Velvet Car” album, and a Top 5 DVD (“Night at Sky Church”). The 2012 “Fanatic” continued Heart’s current chart success, spawning two hit singles (“Fanatic” and “Dear Old America”) and debuting in the Billboard Top 25. They also released a comprehensive compact disc box set entitled “Strange Euphoria,” filled with rarities and previously unreleased treasures that met with acclaim from critics and fans alike. In September 2012, Ann and Nancy released their first-ever memoire (“Kicking & Dreaming: A story of Heart, Soul and Rock and Roll”). The...
Vegas Market On Track To Break Record
Las Vegas Market announced that it will present the largest number of temporary exhibitors in its history—showcasing more than 475 vendors in 16 temporary collections located on five floors in two buildings—during the upcoming Summer Market, Sunday, July 27, to Thursday, July 31, 2014. “Las Vegas Market growth shows no signs of slowing, and we’re on track to break all previous records for number of exhibitors and total net square footage for temporary exhibits this summer,” said Dorothy Belshaw, president of Gift & Home Décor, International Market Centers. “As part of our strategic growth plan to position Las Vegas Market as the leading furniture, home decor and gift destination in the western United States, the summer market will feature its largest-ever collection of gift and home décor exhibitors – with nearly 400 temporary gift and home exhibitors in nearly 90,000 net square feet of exhibit space in Building C in July.” In Building B, an additional 35,000 square feet of near capacity temporary space on B2 will showcase more than 80 exhibitors offering a wide selection of home furnishings, including furniture, upholstery, motion, bedding, juvenile, accessories and décor. New exhibitors debuting at the summer market include Archbold Furniture Company, Becker Designs, Cabinetbed Inc., Dogberry Collections, DownEast Home Collection, Flash Furniture, Maaya Home, Oasis Concepts, Pin Dynasty and Regis Patrick Collection. “Temporary exhibits at Market are an important opportunity for the retailer to get exposure to new resources, new products and emerging trends in the industry. Our home furnishings temporaries – right in the middle of the Las Vegas Market action – showcase newly introduced products from up-and-coming resources all in one easy-to-shop location.” said Tom Mitchell, president of Home Furnishings, International Market Centers. “B2 will feature the largest lineup of temporary exhibitors yet with new exhibitors, re-merchandised booths and exciting show specials.” Growth of temporary gift and home décor exhibits is being fueled, in part, by the addition of two new categories on floor C11 – FIRST, which spotlights first time to market products, providing buyers with the opportunity to find fresh, creative and unique resources across all categories; and COUTURE, which offers a unique presentation of artist/designer/maker products, specially created to offer one of a kind selections for immediate delivery. These additions, along with consolidation of GLOBAL into MADE and FASHION into GIFT, will result in presentation of 16 unique themed collections of temporary exhibits this summer: HOME, GALLERY, TEXTILES, STYLE and VERANDA on floor C5; COUTURE, GIFT, FIRST, GOURMET, MADE, TREND, VINTAGE and CARRY! on floor C11; C-ONE, a collection of leading specialty tabletop , better gift and home décor suppliers; LIFESTYLE COLLECTION on C10 featuring leading...
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