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IWF 2008 CHALLENGERS DISTINGUISHED ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

The finalists of the internationally recognized Challengers Distinguished Achievement Award® have been selected. A record 126 entries from 93 companies have come down to 20 finalists.
Innovation, ingenuity and new opportunities to embrace technological advancement will be abundant at IWF 2008. “With a record number of entries, the 2008 competition was one of the most competitive ever,” commented Richard A. Campbell, IWF 2008 Challengers Award committee chairman.

The Challengers Award® known throughout the world as the woodworking industry’s highest honor recognizes advancements in technology or significant contributions to environmental improvement; and focuses on companies who have distinguished themselves by developing innovative technology in products, services or manufacturing techniques. The award challenges IWF exhibiting companies to develop revolutionary, creative, ingenious, forward thinking technology, materials, services or safety devices that advance the industry.

This year’s finalists include three first-time exhibitors: Dux Area, The Hain Company and TenonCam.

“The products entered for the IWF 2008 Challengers Award® competition have been some of the best ever. The industry as a whole will all be winners by utilizing these new products entered by IWF exhibitors from all over the globe,” added Charles R. (Tommy) Tomkins, IWF 2008 chairman and president of Cresent Fine Furniture Company, based in Gallatin, Tenn.

Among these finalists, seven outstanding exhibiting companies will be selected by panel of 10 judges during the last round of judging, which takes place on Aug. 19, one day before the opening of IWF 2008. These seven winning companies will receive the Challengers Award® during a special awards ceremony on Wednesday, Aug. 20 at 1:30 p.m.

The judges for 2008 Challengers Award® are: Richard Campbell, chairman; Myron Carlson, Lund Boat Company; Paul Fetzer, Fetzer Architectural Woodwork.; Marlin Horst, Premier Custom Built; Michael Fredrigo, Nucraft Furniture Co.; Greg Krodel, Masterbrand Cabinets Inc.; Doug Mock, Mock Woodworking Company; Dennis Condra, Cresent Fine Furniture Company; Stephen Wellborn, Wellborn Cabinet Inc.; and Gary Daniels, Schnadig Corporation.

WIN VOUCHERS TO USE TOWARD YOUR IWF PURCHASES

IWF has announced prize drawings to be conducted at IWF 2008 totaling $105,000 in prizes. Eligible IWF 2008 attendees may enter for a chance to win one of 42 prize vouchers, which may be used toward the purchase of products from exhibitors at the show.

“IWF wanted to give our attendees some added incentive by contributing $105,000 to be awarded in prize vouchers for winners selected in the drawings to use toward the purchase of products from contracted IWF 2008 exhibitors,” said Charles R. (Tommy) Tomkins, IWF 2008 chairman and president of Cresent Fine Furniture Company, based in Gallatin, Tenn. “There will be one $10,000 prize voucher, three $5,000 prize vouchers and 10 $1,000 prize vouchers given away each day on Thursday, Friday and Saturday during IWF 2008. Prize vouchers will be awarded through random drawings to eligible companies attending IWF 2008. As an added incentive, we will be giving away $100 gas card prizes to the company representative listed on the entry form of each company which is selected to win a prize. There will also be a special prize drawing for a chance for those same company representatives to win a 42-in. flat screen television.”

To redeem their prize, drawing winners will need to provide IWF with proof of purchase for purchases made from contracted IWF 2008 exhibitors. Purchases must be made 30 days from the end of the show.

For more information on rules, how to enter and where and when the drawing will take place contact IWF at iwf@iwfatlanta.com.

DESIGN EMPHASIS SHOWCASE HIGHLIGHTS STUDENT PROJECTS

Design Emphasis is acclaimed as the foremost furniture design competition for students and offers design students a unique opportunity to demonstrate their talent and originality before a judging panel of furniture industry designers, manufacturing and retail executives, and members of the trade press who have design-oriented backgrounds.

In May before IWF, students submit slides and a written description of their project to be selected in a prejudging session. The finalists are invited to attend the Fair and to ship their furniture piece to the Georgia World Congress Center for a final judging the day before IWF by a panel of industry experts. Following the judging, $14,000 in prize money is awarded and presented during a special ceremony. The competition recognizes and rewards these advanced level designs in six categories: Seating, Ready-to-Assemble, Case Goods, Contract, Occasional Furniture, and Design Creativity. A prize is also given for the Best of Show.