Briefly

The Home Fashion Products Association, New York, and George Little Management launched a new annual awards program for the home textiles industry. ASPIRE: Excellence, Leadership, and Innovation in Home Fashions, will replace the Retailer of the Year Awards and HomeTex Design Awards.

Martin's Herend Imports, Sterling, VA, distributor of Herend porcelain, Moser crystal, and Present Tense Pottery in the U.S., will leave its showroom space at 225 Fifth Avenue, New York, by the end of the year, and move to tabletop building 41 Madison Avenue.

Airport retail developer CBR Inc. will launch a Dept. 56 outlet in the Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport by mid-November 2004. The first airport retail venture for Dept. 56, the new shop will be a 700-square-foot operation selling holiday and gift accessories.

Furniture and accessories supplier Palecek appointed David Preuss to the newly created position of executive vice president. His responsibilities will include long-term strategic planning initiatives as well as overseeing corporate sales and marketing He will report to company founder and president Allan Palecek.

The California Market Center (CMC) named Daniel G. Martin director of leasing for gifts/lifestyle, and Donna Maria Duarte market editor. Her responsibilities will include identifying fashion, gift, and home products suitable for the CMC.

North American Bear Co., Chicago, selected Patrick & Co., Dallas, to represent the plush company in Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Arkansas.

The California Gift Show will shift its July 2005 dates to Friday, July 22–Monday, July 25 at the Los Angeles Convention Center, one week later than previously scheduled. The show will return to its customary Saturday–Tuesday pattern in 2006.

Our Name Is Mud, New York, makers of ceramics decorated with witty sayings, will be represented in Canada by Auralim Gift.

Tabletop company Pfaltzgraff will no longer have a showroom presence in New York after it leaves its space at 225 Fifth Avenue early next year.