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AmericasMart Atlanta Presents Inaugural ICON Honors

Caroline Kennedy -- Gifts and Dec, 7/18/2010 7:37:11 PM

AmericasMart LogoAtlanta — AmericasMart Atlanta hosted a gala evening for the debut of its new industry awards, the ICON Honors, on Saturday evening, during the Atlanta Gift & Home Furnishings Market. The inaugural awards were presented in three categories: Innovation, Contribution and Achievement. In addition, two previously announced special ICON Honors were presented: ICON Lifetime Achievement Award and ICON Industry Stewardship.

The awards presentation began with a Lifetime Achievement Award, which was presented posthumously to James Douglas Glover, founder of Palmer Marketing Company, who passed away earlier this year. His wife and family accepted on his behalf.

The Industry Stewardship Honor went to Peter Schauben, principal of Appelman & Schauben and founder of Gift for Life, the industry's charity partner.

Innovation Honors were presented to three retailers:
Fitzsu of Los Angeles, owned by Su and Fitz Sazama, for technology-based marketing. Fitzsu used its website in a creative way to build brand recognition worldwide. It conducted an international competition among designer to interpret a Playsam toy.
Motif Modern Living, of Austin, TX, owned by Steven Lora, for technology-based marketing. Wishing to expand its retail reach south of the border into Mexico, Motif designed an electronic advertising campaign targeted to Monterrey, Mexico residents, resulting in a 667 return on investment.
The Cordial Cricket of Chester, VA, owned by Elizabeth Howard, for technology-based selling. Howard's sales incresesd by 67 percent in one year by using social media and email to promote to her customers.

Contribution Honors went to a designer/manufacturer, a sales rep firm and a manufacturer:
Jacquline Cambata Designs of Wheaton, IL, for cause-related product development. Cambata designs porcelain dinnerware and donates 80 percent of profits to civic projects.
Just Got 2 Have It!, Atlanta, owned by Michelle Ruby and Barbara Knight, for inudstry leadership and creativity. The duo not only makes shopping their showroom a fun experience, but also ensures that it is a learning experience, from product display to seminars.
Pendleton Woolen Mills, Portland, OR, for community quality and life enhancement. A sixth generation family business, Pendleton's first customers were Native Americans, and Pendleton believes in supporting education in the Native American community.

Achievement Honors went to retailer Carl Kirkland of Jackson, TN, for continuous retail achievement, and Garry Kvistad of Shokan, NY, founder of Woodstock Percussion and Woodstock Chimes. Kvistad's passion for music spurred him to found his business and establish a charitable arm that supports local arts and humanitarian causes.

AmericasMart Medal of Excellence Honors, determined at the sole discretion of the judges, were awarded to the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) Retail in New York City, for focusing on "good design as a standard for all merchandising decisions from product to selling environments to e-commerce," and to Anthropologie of Philadelphia for its "ability to translate its design perspective from apparel to home, consistent with its customers' perspective."

The awards were presented in front of a full capacity house of some 1,000 industry representatives from all sides of the aisles. Jeffrey Portman, president and CEO of AmericasMart made some brief remarks welcoming the assembled guests, acknowledging the support and contribution of his father, John Portman, Chairman of AmericasMart.

After dinner, before the ceremonies began, guests were entertained by a performance by Grammy Award-winning artist Michael McDonald, who performed some of his hit tunes.

Peter Schauben received two standing ovations from the assembled guests, one when his name was announced and again upon accepting his award. He quipped, "Many of you are wondering ‘where are your jeans?' I can assure you,' he said, "they will be back after market!" (Schauben is known for always being attired in jeans.) He was also extremely modest in accepting this honor. "I respectfully accept this award for those who made this dream a reality." He acknowledged his and Gift for Life's biggest supporter — his mother — who passed away earlier this year.

The evening's program was closed by keynote speaker and retailer Stew Leonard, who spoke not about his business successes, but about some of those things that were not a success and the lessons to be learned when something goes wrong.

This inaugural event was a grand affair that will leave pleasant lasting memories with the award recipients and sets a standard for the future.

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