HFIA Announces New Board of Directors 

Dallas, TX October 14, 2011   Home Furnishings Independents Association (HFIA), one of the nation’s largest retail trade associations, has announced members of the organization’s 2011-12 board of directors.  Verona Mair, owner, The Emporium, Ponca City, Okla. will succeed Stephen H. Kidder as chairman of the board effective immediately.

“HFIA is extremely committed to advancing the efforts of home furnishings retailers,” states Mair. “I am confident that HFIA’s membership will benefit from the board’s diverse talents and ideas.  I look forward to working closely with the entire board and management team as we pursue the exciting opportunities in front of us.”

HFIA board members represent the needs of the association membership, provide strategic and financial guidance on the mission of the group and contribute to HFIA’s authority in the industry.

Serving on the board’s executive committee are –
•     Verona Mair, owner, The Emporium, Ponca City, Okla.
•     Bob Bolton, general manager, Ashley Furniture HomeStore, Beaumont, Texas
•     Frank Brame, general manager, Carroll Furniture, Alexandria, La.
•     Karen Craig, manufacturer’s representative, Houston, Texas
•     Randy Greengus, owner, Sun Furniture City, Shreveport, La.
•     Stephen H. Kidder, general manager, Ashley Furniture HomeStore, Williston, Vt.
•     David Lively, owner, The Lively Merchant, Lancaster, Ohio                  

Additional members of the board are –
•     Melissa Bunker, general manager, Crazy J’s Bed Shop, Wichita, Kan.
•     Amy Castleberry, Castleberry’s Ethan Allen Home Interiors, Tulsa, Okla.
•     David Davis, CEO, Provencal Home, Austin, Texas
•     David Dodd, owner, Dodd Home Furnishings, Guin, Ala.
•     Richard Glabman, president, Deere Park & Associates, LLC, Northbrook, Ill.
•     Glynn Irby, Irby’s Home Furnishings, Clute, Texas
•     David Jacobs, owner, Bedford Furniture Galleries, Bedford, Ind.
•     Kerry Peavey, owner, Garland Furniture, Garland, Texas

“The new board of directors brings with it a wealth of professional experience necessary to provide strong leadership and association guidance,” states Mary Frye, president of HFIA. “Their insight and counsel will be a strong asset as we work toward our strategic goals.”

HFIA (www.hfia.com), the voice of independent-thinking home furnishings professionals, offers a comprehensive range of business services dedicated to providing solutions to meet business owners’ needs. HFIA manages the behind the scenes store services that allow owners to focus on their top priority, customers. Member services include discounted bankcard processing, consumer financing, competitively-priced business insurance, and more.

For more information about HFIA, visit the association’s website at www.hfia.com or contact Mary Frye at 800.942.HOME (4663) or mary@hfia.com.

HFIA Joins with Web4Retail to Bring the Marketing Power of Facebook to Home Furnishings Retailers

Dallas, TX  July 27   Mary Frye, president of Home Furnishings Independents Association has announced that HFIA has partnered with Web4Retail to bring Facebook marketing to the association’s member stores.

Titled “Facebook Your Business,” the program is designed to help home décor retailers connect with customers through Facebook, the world’s largest social networking service. Facebook is the online leader in connecting people and businesses with an estimated 750 million users worldwide.

“Staying current with what the web can offer is important in retail today,” states Frye. “Facebook offers so much opportunity for reaching customers, especially those who might not otherwise read an ad or come into a store- the younger demographic.”

Web4Retail will design, create and manage a branded page for each retailer, building a targeted web Facebook presence and tailoring it to the personality of the store.  Pages will utilize focused retail content, store information, promotions, photos and links to product categories.

Basic and standard packages are offered and include management of the site on a daily basis as well as information regarding shopper site usage provided through Google Analytics.

“We do all the work,” states Denise Keniston, CEO of Web4Retail.  “The first phase is to design the page.  The second phase is the ongoing community management. We touch every page, every day. We come up with ideas to market directly to the fan. We build the community. We connect directly with the fans.”

A leader in web management for retail, Web4Retail (www.web4retail.com) provides website design, web marketing, SEO, social media and e-commerce services for home furnishings industry retailers. 

HFIA (www.hfia.com), the voice of independent-thinking home furnishings professionals, offers a comprehensive range of business services dedicated to providing solutions to meet business owners’ needs. Acting as an extension of store staff, HFIA manages the behind the scenes store services that allow owners to focus on their top priority, customers. Member services include discounted bankcard processing, consumer financing, low-cost freight programs, competitively-priced business insurance, online furniture sales training and more.

For more information about HFIA and “Facebook Your Business,” visit the Association’s website at www.hfia.com or contact Mary Frye at 800-942-HOME (4663) or mary@hfia.com.

HFIA Partners with CSN to Drive Store Traffic 

Dallas, TX July 25, 2011  Home Furnishings Independents Association (HFIA) and online retail giant CSN Stores have joined together to offer the web shopping leader’s “Get It Near Me” program at an exclusive price to HFIA members.  Designed to drive customer traffic into stores, “Get It Near Me” utilizes CSN’s internet ad platform to promote participating retailers to the site’s 11 million shoppers.

Online customers to any of CSN’s product-specific, furnishings sites will be able to locate and view retail showrooms within the shopper’s geographic area simply by clicking on HFIA member advertisements. No contracts or minimum commitments are required of stores to participate. In addition, the program includes free account support, educational seminars on web strategy and a rebate for HFIA members who use the program.

“Few independent home furnishings dealers will have the resources, money or staff, to create the kind of internet traffic the CSN sites enjoy,” states Mary Frye, president of HFIA.  However, “Get It Near Me” is an affordable way to drive more traffic from the internet to the local retailer’s site and to their store.”

“Having the traffic they [CSN] do to the site, I wanted to capture those leads into our store,” states Seth Weisblatt, Sam’s Appliances & Furniture, Fort Worth, Texas. “I’ve been tracking it with Google Analytics.  We’ve definitely gotten some traffic from it.  It’s been good.”

Based in Boston, Mass., CSN Stores is the third-largest online retailer of home goods in the United States and offers more than 3 million items from 5,000 brands. CSN Stores LLC (www.csnstores.com) is a $380 million+, privately held company serving customers in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., and Germany. CSN’s web sites include: AllModern.com, Luggage.com, Cookware.com and BedroomFurniture.com. CSN is a member of HFIA.

HFIA, the voice of independent-thinking home furnishings professionals, offers a comprehensive range of business services dedicated to providing solutions to meet business owners’ needs. HFIA manages the behind the scenes store services that allow owners to focus on their top priority, customers. Member services include discounted bankcard processing, consumer financing, low-cost freight programs, competitively-priced business insurance, online furniture sales training and sales aids.

For more information about HFIA and “Get It Near Me,” visit the association’s website at www.hfia.com or contact Mary Frye at 800.942-HOME (4663) or mary@hfia.com.

HFIA Offers $150 New Member Savings

Dallas, Texas; March 25, 2011 - Throughout the month of April, (HFIA) Home Furnishings Independents Association will offer a $150 discount to retailers who register as new members of the organization.

Mary Frye, president of HFIA, will welcome prospective and current members to the association’s booth in the atrium of the Furniture Plaza building, 210 South Main Street, High Point, NC, during the High Point Market. Frye will be available to answer questions and provide details regarding the organization’s many benefits Saturday, April 2 through Thursday, April 7.

HFIA offers a comprehensive range of business services dedicated to providing solutions to meet retail back office needs. Acting as an extension of store staff, HFIA manages the behind the scenes store services that allow owners to focus on their top priority, customers.

“We’re not able to sell furniture on your floor,” notes Frye, “but we offer personalized business services to make sure you can.”

Member services include discounted bank card processing, consumer financing, low-cost freight programs, competitively-priced business insurance, on-line furniture sales training and sales aids.

“In nearly forty years spent as an independent furniture retailer, we have been members of many organizations and associations,” states Louis S. Casey, CEO and President, Casey's Furniture, Inc., Temple, Texas. “The one we appreciate the most is HFIA.  Teamwork is vital to our business, and as a member of HFIA we have even more teammates working on our behalf.  Check out the benefits, join HFIA, and put their team to work for you.”

HFIA Names Service Lamp Corp Their Exclusive Lighting Provider

July 29, 2010     Dallas, TX based Home Furnishings Independents Association (HFIA), named Service Lamp Corp. as their exclusive national lighting supplies resource.  This lighting program offers HFIA members national pricing on light bulbs, ballasts and fixtures.  

Service Lamp Corp. is one of Philips Lighting Company’s largest national lighting distributors, with a full line of products.  “We can quickly bring new Philips technology to furniture retailers without waiting behind other retail segments”, says Marc Kushner, President of Service Lamp Corp, “and being able to put our customers in direct contact with Philips leadership is an important plus.” Service Lamp introduced the new Philips LED line at the High Point market in October and received an excellent response from furniture retailers.

HFIA Board Chairman, Stephen H. Kidder, notes that a program that saves money on lighting will prove to be a valuable program for HFIA members.  “The merchandise we show to customers is best presented with proper lighting.  We welcome Service Lamp to our list of valued suppliers.”

HFIA, the choice and voice of independent-thinking home furnishings professionals, offers business tools and solutions to help members operate more efficiently and, in return, more profitably. Members in the trade organization enjoy benefits designed specifically for their businesses which help them save money, streamline operations and stay better informed about the industry, which in turn allows them to offer exceptional service to their customers. 
Established in 1976, Service Lamp Corporation is a distributor of lighting products specializing in the furniture industry.  Service Lamp capabilities also include energy audits and lighting design using computerized CAD drawings.  For additional information call 1.800.222.LAMP (5267).

Exclusive New Business Insurance

Dallas, TX July 1, 2010 – The Home Furnishings Independents Association (HFIA) is proud to announce the launch of an exclusive business insurance program that will save members money and provide remarkable benefits.   The program, named the Association Insurance – Home Furnishings Program, offers a competitive advantage and reduces costs for businesses in the home furnishings industry by increasing the industry’s collective buying power.
 
“I’m confident our new program will give our members peace of mind to focus on running their companies while giving them the protection and benefits they deserve,” said Steve Kidder, Chairman of the HFIA Board of Directors.  “The Hartford Company and its property and casualty affiliates underwrote this program and our agent Jim Saris helped put it together, so we’re confident we hit a homerun here to save our members money.”
 
One advantage of the program is that it has the potential to pay dividends when designated premium levels are met.  With wide industry support of this program specializing in the home furnishings industry’s needs, eligible participants can benefit financially.  This is an exclusive benefit open to HFIA members.  “The power of this program is that it brings together a collective group, the furniture industry, and in doing so provides special pricing, underwriting concessions and outstanding service,” noted Mary Frye, President of HFIA.

The plan’s broad business packages and comprehensive coverage are adapted to meet the specific needs of each individual business.  Some of the plan’s notable benefits include blanketing of business personal property and buildings; standard $1 million per occurrence and $2 million aggregate general liability coverage with available optional limits of $2,000,000/$4,000,000; worker’s compensation coverage; loss control and prevention support;  business income interruption coverage; commercial automobile coverage; dedicated underwriters and adjusters; and much more.

For more information, call 815.479.0216, email Jim Saris at aiservice@sbcglobal.net or to receive a quote, fax a copy of your current policy declaration pages to Jim at 815.479.0330. With this information, you can receive an “apples to apples” comparison. 

HFIA works to save members money and provide them with the protection they need to successfully run their businesses.  This new insurance program follows HFIA’s core vision to specifically help members operate more efficiently and profitably.  HFIA is confident The Home Furnishings Insurance Program is just one more way to help improve the quality of life and business for HFIA members. 
For more information, please contact Mary Frye at 800.942.HOME (4663) or mary@hfia.com.

Mandatory Sprinklers a Wash

Dallas, TX  June 9, 2010:  The Home Furnishings Independents Association (HFIA) and its members recently achieved a major victory that will save retailers and their consumers a vast amount of money.  Numerous HFIA members from Texas, New Mexico, Louisiana and Indiana, along with a consultant from the American Home Furnishings Alliance (AHFA), testified in person and in writing against a proposed code recommendation that would have mandated that retail buildings, showing or warehousing upholstery/mattresses, would have to add sprinkler systems even if they had been grandfathered by their local code agencies.  The hearings lasted two days and HFIA’s compelling testimony was vital in preventing the potential code change.

HFIA President Mary Frye knows the additional expense would have been a harsh burden on retailers.  "Several members I spoke to said that having to add a sprinkler system to their buildings would potentially put them out of business," Frye said.

“This is outstanding news and a huge accomplishment for all retailers, especially those of us in historic buildings,” said Carol Johnson of Johnson Furniture Co. 

Andy Counts, CEO of the AHFA, said although he believes the safety of these properties a top priority, installing sprinkler systems retroactively is an expensive investment.

“Part of our successful argument [against sprinkler systems] was that retailers have a tremendously vested interest in their buildings, contents and communities being safe and so there are policies and procedures to ensure that they are,” Counts said.  To ensure the community's safety, retailers currently implement effective practices such as inspections by fire officials so they know about the layout of buildings, no smoking policies, proper trash disposal and building inspections by store personnel to spot potential problems.  In addition, the industry supported a recent code change that requires sprinklers in all future retail establishments. “Nonetheless, with these effective safety measures in play, we will likely see this effort again next year and the year after that,” Counts said in regards to the effort to require sprinkler systems in existing retail stores.  

AFHA is the world's largest and most influential trade organization serving the home furnishings industry.  It promotes industry unity and access capable of impacting consumers while also working to influence important issues, such as fire code legislation.   Its purpose is to deliver targeted programs and services addressing the three broad common interests of unity, access and influence shared by all member companies.

The HFIA is the voice for independent-thinking home furnishing professionals.  It strives to offer business solutions to its members to operate more efficiently, and in return, more profitably.  As demonstrated in this recent achievement, monitoring potential code changes is one way the HFIA constantly strives to save its members money.

For more information, please contact Mary Frye at 800.942.HOME (4663) or

mary@hfia.com.

HFIA and ART Partner for Bigger Benefits
 
Dallas, TX and Charlotte, NC   May 20, 2010:  Home Furnishings Independents Association and the Accessories Resource Team are pleased to announce a new relationship in which ART members can join HFIA at a discounted rate as branch members.  All branch members will have access to the HFIA benefits and discounts.

“This is an exciting partnership and we will continue to build other partner programming that will benefit HFIA members as well as ART members,” said Sharon Davis, Executive Director of ART.  “HFIA has a long history and solid group of benefits for the independent business owner.  They are savvy administrators and can deliver some of the core business benefits that ART does not currently offer.  ART members will gain tangible and affordable benefit from this relationship.”
HFIA President Mary Frye noted, “It is an advantage to be able to choose an organization like ART to work with and to develop a relationship that highlights the areas of strength of both organizations.  Members and potential members of ART and HFIA will see more value in their Association memberships because of the expanded and enhanced benefits.  We are looking forward to the many new opportunities this relationship presents.” 

The Accessories Resource Team (ART) is the association representing accessory manufacturers, retailers, representatives, and other industry individuals and companies interested in promoting the decorative home accessories industry. The association’s goal is to enhance the market position of decorative home accessories. Each year ART sponsors programs such as the ART conference, regional educational seminars and the ARTS Awards. The Accessories Resource Team Web site is available at www.accessoriesresourceteam.org.

HFIA, the choice and voice of independent-thinking home furnishings professionals, offers business tools and solutions to help members operate more efficiently and, in return, more profitably. Members in the trade organization enjoy benefits designed specifically for their businesses which help members save money, streamline operations and stay better informed about the industry, which in turn allows them to offer exceptional service to their customers.
For more information on how the HFIA partnership with ART will benefit the home furnishings industry, please contact Mary Frye at 800.942.HOME (4663) or mary@hfia.com.

HFIA and FurnitureDealer.net Connect to Improve Home Furnishings Shopping Experience

Home Furnishings Independents Association (HFIA) has entered into an agreement with FurnitureDealer.net to integrate the online and offline shopping experience for HFIA member websites.  Interested retailers can attend Q&A Forums in the FurnitureDealer.net space at the new RRC on Sunday, April 26 and Monday, April 27 at 10:15 am, 12:15 pm and 3:15 pm each day during the upcoming High Point market.

“Nearly eight out of ten shoppers go online to research products before going into a store,” says Mary Frye, President of the Dallas based 1,500 member association. Mary states, “Until now, our members were limited in the amount of product they could show by their local tech people, ad agency or very limited manufacturer images. Now, HFIA members can show their customers a product-filled website, supported by FurnitureDealer.net’s comprehensive furniture and mattress product library - with more than 35,000 items from more than 210 manufacturers.” 
Andy Bernstein, President of FurnitureDealer.net, affirms, “You turn online shoppers into in-store buyers by giving them the information they need at the time they need it. We have spent ten years talking with consumers and crafting a process that shortens and reduces the stress of purchasing home furnishings. We are honored to actualize our research on behalf of HFIA and its members.” 

In addition to researching products, consumers viewing HFIA member sites can see current print and electronic promotions, request credit and get directions to the store via Google Maps. FurnitureDealer.net will help HFIA members attract traffic to their site with search engine optimization, e-mail marketing and listings on industry search sites.
“Consumers see our members’ website and retail store as one. Our members can now better harmonize their online and retail channels with FurnitureDealer.net,” proclaims Mary. “This advances our ability to serve consumers the way they want to be served.”

For further information and to schedule an interview, contact Mary Frye, HFIA,
(214) 741-7632.

HFIA and PROFITsystems Committed to Help HFIA Members Grow

During the Las Vegas Furniture Market, Home Furnishings Independents Association (HFIA) and PROFITsystems Inc., the furniture industry’s leading provider of success systems, met to discuss growth opportunities for the HFIA members.  This week the two organizations entered into an agreement created to help HFIA members grow to be among the most profitable in the industry. 

“Our first member solution offering resulting from this agreement is to provide our members a direct line to PROFITon-demand, the Internet based format of PROFITsystems software,” says Mary Frye, President of the Dallas based HFIA 1,500 member association. “Our members don’t have to be computer experts; no special servers are needed; plus, the start-up cost is substantially reduced. HFIA members will be well equipped to work competitively in today’s economy with PROFITsystems online program.”

PROFITon-demand is only the first offering to HFIA members. Future PROFITsystems offerings will include consulting, education, and a host of innovative business solutions.
 “HFIA has always been the choice and voice of the independent-thinking home furnishings professional,” states Frye. “We are dedicated to helping our members succeed and are looking forward to working with PROFITsystems.”

Jeff Niskern, PROFITsystems CEO, has also stated that “anytime we have the opportunity to work with innovative thinkers looking for new ways to improve their operation it is exciting.  We look forward to building this relationship with the HFIA and its members and believe that this is a great opportunity for everyone involved.” 

For further information contact Mary Frye, HFIA, (214)-741-7632. She’s a great interview.

New Group Health Plan to Benefit HFIA Members

The Home Furnishings Independents Association (HFIA) is pleased to announce it has entered into an agreement with Trustmark Affinity Markets, a division of Trustmark Life Insurance Company, to offer a health insurance program designed exclusively for HFIA member firms with two or more employees. The health plans are underwritten and administered by Trustmark Affinity Markets, and are designed to help members better manage their health insurance costs and combat the rising cost of healthcare.
“HFIA has always been the choice and voice of the independent-thinking home furnishings professional,” says Jana Sutherland, Group Health Insurance Administrator of the Dallas-based home furnishings association, with members in all 50 states. “We are dedicated to helping our members succeed.”

The health insurance program, available for effective dates of February 1, 2009, and later, offers nationwide network access and provides medical, prescription drug, dental and life/AD&D coverage in one convenient program. Additionally, the program offers a unique comprehensive suite of wellness and condition management tools through Healthy Foundations® to help maximize the health potential of every plan participant, and easy enrollment online or via phone with Express Connect® paperless employee enrollment. “Using Express Connect expedites the underwriting and enrollment process substantially, reducing typical industry delays of incomplete applications and local brokers needing to collect data. Everyone wins,” states Sutherland.

For further information, contact Jana Sutherland, HFIA, at (800) 942-4663.

About Home Furnishings Independents Association
HFIA, founded in 1923, is the choice and voice of independent-thinking home furnishings professionals, and offers business tools and solutions to help members operate more efficiently and, in return, more profitably. Members in the trade organization enjoy benefits designed specifically for their businesses which help members save money, streamline operations and stay better informed about the industry, which in turn allows them to offer exceptional service to their customers.

About Trustmark Affinity Markets
Trustmark Affinity Markets has more than 50 years of experience serving associations and other affiliated organizations. Products sold or administered by Trustmark Affinity Markets are underwritten by Trustmark Life Insurance Company or Trustmark Insurance Company, both subsidiaries of Trustmark Mutual Holding Company. As a mutual holding company managed for the benefit of policyholders, Trustmark is committed to providing outstanding value and unsurpassed personal service with nearly a 100-year track record of solid performance. Trustmark has a reputation of long-term financial stability and is rated “A-”(Excellent) by A.M. Best, the industry’s most-watched analyst of financial stability, and rated “A-” (Strong) for insurer strength by Fitch Ratings.

 

 WithIt Appoints Manufacturers’ Representative Elizabeth O’Brien to Head New Board

Industry Organization to Focus on Service and Leadership in 2009

 

GREENSBORO, NC, January 20, 2009 – WithIt, the premiere international organization dedicated to the support and development of female professionals in the home industries, names its new president and board for 2009. Elizabeth O’Brien, a Florida-based multi-line sales representative for Star International, Ekornes, Creative Accents and Carter, succeeds outgoing president Tiffany Mullis-Brittain, formerly of Vanguard Furniture. HFIA president and past WithIt board member Mary Frye will assume the position of chairman of the board.

 

In late 2008, O’Brien and her new board outlined plans to increase WithIt’s level of service and leadership to its members, sponsors and the industry. Included in this year’s focus are leading-edge professional development programs, particularly those offered at WithIt’s annual Education Conference; increased regional and tradeshow networking events; access to the industry’s top influencers as well as research data to drive future industry growth; improved Online communications tools for members; an international outreach to grow membership abroad; and ongoing support for its highly regarded student mentoring and scholarship programs. “With a powerful membership pool of talented and committed professionals, WithIt will utilize our positions, influence, and thought leadership experience to support the home industries in a challenging economic climate,” O’Brien said.

 

Other members of the WithIt executive committee for 2009 are: board of governor’s chairman, Kelly Peterson, group advertising director, Hearst Integrated Group; vice president/president elect, Jana Platina Phipps, owner, Home Couture Collective; vice president, Ann Hackney, creative director, Valdese Weavers; secretary, Debbie Beers, vp of consumer insights, Furniture Brands International, Inc.; and treasurer, Kira Staggers, manager of audit services, Grant Thornton, LLP.

 

Vice presidents/committee chairs are: financial development, Veronica Londono, American Leather; marketing, Mary Eitel, MKE Communications, Inc.; media, Leslie Newby, Brand Communications, Inc.; mentoring, Kim Reynolds, Oriental Weavers USA, Inc.; education, Cathy Smith, DeLeo Textiles; networking, Christy DiFoggio, Genre Brand Communications; membership, Leslie Carothers, The Kaleidoscope Partnership; scholarship/foundation, Rene Crosby, Four Hands.

 

Regional vice presidents serve two-year terms and are responsible for organizing events and opportunities for members in their areas. Representing their membership to the board are: in the Western region, Donna Favia, Aspenhome; Dallas/Southwest, Jill Robinson, Dallas Market Center; in Florida, Heidi Higgins, Carl’s Furniture; in Metro/Northeast, Vicky Lederman, consultant; in Chicago/Midwest, Erin Piotrowski; in Atlanta/Southeast, Heather Brown, Bluefish Home; and in the Virginias/Carolinas, Kathleen Holterman, French Heritage; and for a newly formed International post, Catherine Smoak, Jigsaw Solutions.

 

Named as at-large board members representing various segments of the industry are: case goods/upholstery manufacturer, Beverly Kastel, Ekornes; showroom/building, Karen Olsen, MMPI; supplier, Libby Langdon, Libby Interiors, Inc.; and retail, Deb Linkhorn.

 

Established in 1997, WithIt (Women in the Home Industries) is now made up of over 400 members and provides multiple educational and mentoring programs to benefit hundreds of participants and corporate sponsors annually. Each year, WithIt’s WOW awards recognize exceptional women and men in the home industries.

 

Sara Lyke is executive director of WithIt. Amy Van Dorp is administrator. For more information about WithIt, please visit www.withit.org. For inquiries about this release, please contact Sara Lyke at withitexecdir@triad.rr.com, or, by telephone, 336-880-2188; or write Leslie Newby at leslie@workthebrand.com.