Ellen Gefen, who produced the “Home Fashion Report” for more than 30 years interviewing top manufacturers and celebrities in the home furnishings industry, will receive WithIt’s Legacy Award next month at Las Vegas market.
Women in the Home and Furnishings Industry Today (WithIt) also announced the 2019 nominee finalists for its annual WOW awards, including two Home Furnishings Association members.
The Legacy Award, the highest award bestowed by WithIt, honors a woman whose entire career made significant lifetime contributions to the home and furnishings industries. Gefen is President of Gefen Companies, a marketing company and media production studio in High Point.
In addition to honoring Gefen, WithIt will present WOW awards in four additional categories:
The Future Leader Award nominees are Taryn Kabei, of HFA member C.S. Wo & Sons, Ltd.; Lorelei Colbert, Thomasville & Co.; and Julie Messner, International Market Centers.
The Mentoring Award nominees are Chris Cooley, of HFA member Michael Alan Furniture Design; Katherine Hable and Susan Hable, Hable Construction; and Christi Barbour and Christi Spangle, Barbour Spangle Design.
The Education Award nominees are David Perry, Furniture Today, and Sam and Kacie Malouf, Malouf and The Malouf Foundation.
The Leadership Award nominees are Lois Del Negro, Global Views; Susan Thayer, Rabbit Creek; and Kathy Wall, The Media Matters.
Each of the finalists, as well as the recipient of the Legacy Award, will be honored at the WOW Awards gala, to be held Jan. 27, in the Worldview Room at Las Vegas World Market Center. Tickets can be purchased at www.withit.org. Individual tickets are $160; a table of 10 is $1,500.
