This issue marks the 10th year of the Merchandising Excellence Awards, created to recognize those manufacturers who are setting a high bar with their visual merchandising. It takes a great deal of thought, time and creativity to put together a showroom that not only is pleasing to the eye, but is also organized to sell.

Only one of this year’s winners has won before, and that’s Gloster. This is its third win and adds to the many laurels it has won this year, among which were the Lillian B. Winchester “Best of Show” award for its Voyager Rechargeable Lantern, and the new “Lilly” award for its Bay Lounge Chair.

The Merchandising Excellence Awards were sponsored by Hearth & Home, the International Casual Furnishings Association and Merchandise Mart Properties Inc., and were given in four categories; winners are listed on the following pages.

Brown Jordan Furniture/Accessories: Permanent Showroom Over 5,000 Sq. Ft. ABOVE:L to R: Jim Hardy, President; Jackie Prevette and Steve Elton, Designers.

Gloster N.A. Furniture/Accessories: Permanent Showroom Under 5,000 Sq. Ft. ABOVE: L to R: Eric Parsons, President; Teresa Newton, Marketing Coordinator and Randy Wells, CEO.

Housewarmings Outdoor Furniture – Temporary Exhibitor ABOVE: L to R: Jeff Conrad, Director of Engineering; Ajay Gupta, President; Bud Renfroe, Vice President (designer).

Terra Flame Home Accessories – Temporary Exhibitor ABOVE: L to R: Darin Gilson, Executive Board Member; Summer Moss, Sales Account Manager; Steve Young, President/COO; Aaron Oliver, Marketing Director and Dan Eyring, Executive Board Member.