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 Mark your calendar with these important dates for 2006. March 2-3 March 6-7
March 11-13 June 8-10 September 27-28 November 16-19 |
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All-Industry Event Brings Together
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Manufacturing and retailing executives, along with dozens of key suppliers to the industry, will gather March 11-13 in Orlando, Fla., for an unprecedented joint venture of the AHFA and the National Home Furnishings Association.
“Changes in Latitude; Changes in Attitude” is the theme for the three-day All-Industry Convention, which will focus on providing its combined manufacturer/retailer/supplier audience with insight into the changing global economy, the changing consumer, and the changing legislative and regulatory environment impacting the production, sales and marketing of our industry’s products.
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Bill Seidman, chief commentator for CNBC, will open the convention March 11 with a blunt and witty tell-all look at the financial health of the nation and its citizens. He will offer practical insight into the future of the “old economy” and the current financial climate in America and abroad. Seidman will specifically focus on China, India, Euroland and Latin America’s outlook for relations with the United States.
Breakout sessions and networking opportunities highlight the morning agenda on March 12. Headlining the lunch presentation is Conrad Ricketts, senior producer for ABC’s “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.” Ricketts will explain how the network selects the families and orchestrates the logistics of completing a home renovation in just seven days.
The afternoon of March 12 is devoted to a legislative affairs update from John Satagaj, NHFA’s Washington Counsel, and Russell Batson, AHFA’s vice president of government affairs.
The final day of the conference also begins with concurrent sessions and a networking session, after which attendees will gather for a third general session featuring Larry Sabato, founder and director of the University of Virginia’s Center for Politics. Fox News calls Sabato “America’s favorite political scientist.” Sabato’s “Crystal Ball”
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Following an afternoon of concurrent sessions, the business portion of the convention will close March 13 with a final general session featuring High Point University President Nido Qubein. His presentation, “Achieving Peak Performance,” will show attendees how to prepare their employees for high productivity and how to prepare their companies for maximum profitability.
A cocktail reception and dinner with entertainment by singer/songwriter Jamie O’Neal concludes the three-day program.
For convention attendees arriving early, there is a golf tournament at 7 a.m. March 11 at Disney’s Osprey Ridge Golf Course, a Tom Fazio course. Two half-day Disney tours or one all-day “Backstage Magic” Disney tour are among the other pre-convention options.
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The All-Industry Convention will take place at the Hilton Walt Disney Resort, where a group room rate of $165 per night is available for reservations made prior to February 1. Make reservations by calling the Resort directly at 407/827-4000 and requesting the NHFA/AHFA group rate. The reduced rate is available up to three days prior to and three days after the convention for those wishing to extend their stay.
A convention brochure has been mailed to all member companies. The registration form also is available online at www.ahfa.us. Click on the “Events” tab and scroll down to “All-Industry Convention.” Those registering by January 27 will save $50 off the convention registration fee of $649 and be entered in a drawing for a $1,500 Best Buy gift certificate. (Winner of the drawing will be announced on the convention’s opening night.)
Don't Miss 2006 Flammability Workshop
AHFA will provide manufacturers and suppliers with an update on the ever-changing status of federal flammability standards during the Flammability Workshop March 6-7 at the Sheraton Four Seasons, Greensboro, N.C.
A new federal flammability standard for upholstered furniture could be announced by the Consumer Product Safety Commission late this spring - making the March Flammability Workshop an opportune time to hear the CPSC's latest position on proposed regulations.
Invited CPSC speakers include Dale Ray, project manager of upholstered furniture flammability; Margaret Neily, director of the division of combustion and fire sciences; and Lowell Martin, CPSC's deputy executive director.
Ray will present information on the cigarette and small open flame requirements being considered for upholstered furniture components. Neily will offer the latest news on the open flame standards being developed for mattresses and bedclothes. And Martin will provide an update on the status of the commission's rulemakings on open-flame flammability of mattresses/foundation sets and upholstered furniture. His update also will include the current discussion of modifications to or revocation of the current commission ruling on cigarette ignition of mattresses and mattress pads.
Additional speakers will address furniture flammability litigation from a risk management perspective and efforts to increase fire resistance of component products in upholstery.
A 6 p.m. opening reception is planned for March 6, during which attendees will have the opportunity to view tabletop exhibits featuring various products and materials used in improving the overall fire performance of bedding and upholstery.
Workshop registration is $225 for AHFA members and $300 for non-members. The fee includes the March 6 reception, as well as lunch and workshop materials on March 7. To register call 336/884-5000, ext. 114.