The American Home Furnishings Hall of Fame launches the Leaders Circle in conjunction with establishing its new state-of-the-art permanent home. The inaugural gathering, which includes Hall of Fame inducted members, future leaders and other industry leaders, is Oct. 17 at the String & Splinter Club.
“As an organization of the most prestigious leaders in our industry, the Hall of Fame Leaders Circle will be a nerve center for peer-to-peer discussion and a training ground for promising leaders,” says David Gebhart, President of the Hall of Fame Foundation board of directors and founder and CEO of Global Views. “The Leaders Circle will be an integral part of our new building as a world-class gathering place. Leaders will network, share ideas and chart a dynamic future for home furnishings.”
Leaders Circle members will gain access to exclusive activities to stay abreast of the latest business trends and to connect with other powerful influencers. They also will receive special privileges and preferred admittance to Hall of Fame events.
The Hall of Fame Foundation purchased the building at 311 S. Hamilton Street and now begins the work of fulfilling its mission to honor its leaders, tell its story and create a new class of leaders and innovation. The Foundation has hired Freeman Kennett Architects to craft a permanent home for the industry to gather and a showplace worthy of the industry.
The 23,500 sq. ft. building, located on South Hamilton between Green and Russell streets, formerly was the showroom for Flair Enterprises. It is located just one block from the International Home Furnishings Center in the heart of the High Point Market.
Capital campaign donors include Michael Amini, AICO; Aminy Audi, L. & J.G. Stickley; The BB&T Foundation; Donald Belgrad; Andy Bernstein, FurnitureDealer.Net; Irv Blumkin, FVB Foundation, Inc.; John Bray, Vanguard Furniture Company Inc.; Jeff Child, R.C. Willey; Randy Coconis, Coconis Furniture; Bruce and Kena Cohenour; J. Don Coleman, Coleman Consulting LLC; Patrick Cory, Joseph Cory Holdings LLC; The Furniture Foundation; Jerry Epperson; Richard Feng, Markor; Hassell Franklin, Franklin Corporation; David Gebhart, Global Views; Janet Guy, Prestige Arts/Art Trends; Jena Hall, Jena Hall Associates; Haverty Furniture Companies; Keith Koenig, City Furniture; Samuel Kuo, Lacquer Craft USA; Amir Loloi, Loloi Rugs; International Market Centers; Alex Peykar, Nourison Industries; Mark Phillips, Phillips Collection; Martin and Mary Ann Ploy, AICO; Karen and Steve Pond; Lawrence Rogers; Schwarz Properties; Chad Spencer, Dufresne Spencer Group; and Bill and Julia Wittenberg, Klaussner Furniture Industries.
The American Home Furnishings Hall of Fame Foundation, Inc., is an industry-wide organization founded to preserve its history, to celebrate exceptional individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to the U.S. home furnishings industry, and to inspire a new class of innovation and leadership. Membership includes eligibility to nominate candidates for consideration by the Selection Committee, and the opportunity to help preserve the history and heritage of the industry. As a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, 92 percent of all funds support the organization's history and leadership programming. The organization currently is based in High Point, NC, at 202 Neal Place, Suite 101, and can be reached at 336.882.5900. Watch for ongoing developments and details about the grand opening of a new permanent home, which is targeted for April 2021.
