ICFA Honors 2008 Apollo Award Winners

CHICAGO, Ill. – The International Casual Furnishings Association announces winners of the prestigious Apollo Award for retail excellence.

First, second and third place winners were named in two categories. In the single-store category, first place was awarded to Sunnyland Furniture, Dallas. Leisure Living of Salt Lake City, Utah, received second place, while Kolo Collection of Atlanta, received third place. In the multi-store category, first place was awarded to Patios Plus of Rancho Mirage, Calif. Second place went to Greenhouse Mall of Austin, Texas, and third place was awarded to Robb & Stucky Patio of Fort Myers, Fla.

The Apollo Awards were presented at a gala dinner in the Grand Ballroom at Navy Pier on September 17 during the 2008 International Casual Furniture and Accessories Market in Chicago. The awards are co-sponsored by Merchandise Mart Properties Inc.

The International Casual Furnishings Association (ICFA, formerly the SCFMA), has been recognizing retail excellence in the casual industry for 42 years with the sponsorship of the Apollo Awards and Banquet, the premier event of the casual furnishings industry. ICFA member companies nominate the finalists, which are judged sales management, advertising, display, growth, sales training, credit history and overall goals of the retail company.

Nominations may be made by any ICFA member, and nominees must be ICFA members. The top five finalists in two categories—single store and multi-store—will be selected by a vote of ICFA manufacturer/importer members. After the top five stores in the two categories have been selected, the ICFA Board of Directors will vote by secret ballot to name an Apollo Award winner in each category.