Entries are now being accepted for the 2017 Design Excellence Awards, the premier design recognition for home furnishings and accessories produced for outdoor living.

The competition is open to all companies exhibiting at the 2017 Casual Market Chicago, as well as outdoor fabric suppliers, who are not required to be exhibitors. The entry fee is $100 per product for members of the International Casual Furnishings Association, which coordinates the competition. Non-members may enter for $500 per product.

The entry deadline is 5pm, Friday, June 23, 2017.

Entries are sought in 11 categories: dining or bar table, dining or bar chair, chaise lounge, lounge seating – cushion, lounge seating – non-cushion, shade product, outdoor lighting product, heating/firepit, outdoor carpeting/rugs/flooring, fabric and complementary casual product.

Competition rules and entry guidelines are available at icfanet.org/icfa-awards.

The Design Excellence category judging will take place on Wednesday, August 30. All category winners will be announced after the judging, with awards to be presented on Tuesday, September 12, in company showrooms at the Merchandise Mart.

All companies submitting entries are urged to attend the ICFA Awards Gala at 6:30 pm on Thursday, September 14, at the Chicago Field Museum. During this event, the Lillian B. Winchester “Best of Show” Award will be presented from among the 11 category winners.