Gift for Life, the gift and home industries' sole charitable organization, this week announced that Blue Q will be honored with the Gift for Life 2018 Industry Achievement Award during Gifts and Decorative Accessories' 67th Annual Retailer Excellence Awards, taking place on Sunday, August 12, 2018, in New York City. Blue Q founders Seth and Mitch Nash will accept this award, which recognizes overall excellence and contribution to the gift and home industry.
Blue Q was founded in 1988 with a single item, the cardboard Flat Cat. The six dollar, life-sized pet established the company's niche: reinventing things with wit, design and high quality. Today the company sells everything from recycled bags to lip balm to kitchen accessories to socks.
“We’re humbled to learn this many people even know about Blue Q. We always thought we were just the lunatic outsiders,” said honorees Mitch and Seth Nash. “But the past 30 years have been a blast and we’re still enjoying what we do because we love all the people we get to work with. And being part of Gift for Life’s mission is really special to us. The world still needs all kinds of fixing and we’re proud our industry’s part of it.”
The Gift for Life Industry Achievement Award will be presented to Blue Q at the 67th Annual Retailer Excellence Awards (REAs), on Sunday, August 12, at New York City’s Lighthouse at Chelsea Piers. Hosted by Gifts and Decorative Accessories, the Retailer Excellence Awards recognize excellence in retailing and individual achievement. During this festive industry gathering, REA finalists also will be recognized, retail category winners will be announced and special recognition awards will be presented. Tickets, which are $185 each including cocktails and dinner, are available through www.giftsanddec.com.
“We are honoring Blue Q and its founders for their wit and generosity matched by savvy designs and amazing business success,” said George Kacic, Chair of the Gift for Life board. “But most importantly we are honoring the spirit of their company, which is a celebration of community and individual empowerment.”
Each year, Gift for Life hosts events throughout the U.S. benefitting DIFFA: Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS. The primary mission of Gift for Life and DIFFA is to eradicate the AIDS pandemic in the U.S. With Gift for Life’s help, DIFFA granted $331.500 to 31 organizations providing HIV/AIDS service and education programs nationwide.
