In February, we celebrated a momentous achievement in our company’s journey. Our Business Development Manager, Chase, was selected and granted admission into The American Home Furnishings Hall of Fame Foundation Leadership Institute at High Point University. The class was limited to 25 emerging leaders who were selected based on competitive nominations from across the industry.
This remarkable recognition underscores Chase’s exemplary leadership and unwavering commitment to excellence in the architecture and interior design industry. Through his strategy and dedication, he has demonstrated the qualities that define true leadership.
As a team, we couldn’t be more thrilled and honored to celebrate this remarkable milestone with Chase. For years, we’ve watched his brilliance as an individual and his commitment to building others up and moving toward excellence.
Each year, 25 emerging leaders will be selected from a nominated pool of candidates for a challenging seminar of peer learning based on the practice of successful home furnishings leadership. Fashioned after the prestigious Harvard Business School Seminar for the Young President’s Organization and Chief Executives Organization – attended by many leaders in our industry – the Institute is founded on the power and impact of peer learning gained through focused tutorial seminars. The Institute is for serious emerging leaders across the industry who aspire to greater achievement and who want to be exposed to new ways of thinking and problem-solving. There is no other program like this offered in our industry.
ABOUT THE HOME FURNISHINGS HALL OF FAME
The American Home Furnishings Hall of Fame Foundation is dedicated to preserving the history of the home furnishings industry in the United States. It celebrates individuals who have made significant contributions to the industry, aiming to inspire future leaders and engage the community with the world of home furnishings.
The foundation started on February 22, 1988, by a group of industry executives aiming to preserve the heritage of the home furnishings industry and honor its leaders. With a three-fold mission of honoring leaders, documenting industry history, and inspiring new leadership, the foundation has compiled a comprehensive timeline history of the industry’s development in the United States. Their collection includes historical memorabilia such as documents, photographs, and books. Inductees into the American Home Furnishings Hall of Fame are celebrated annually through a gathering, a Pinning Ceremony, and the installation of bricks in the Walk of Fame. The foundation also conducts extensive oral interviews with inductees as part of its “Tell Us Your Story” project, seeking to preserve industry history across various mediums. Additionally, they aim to inspire future leaders by recognizing five Future Leaders annually and facilitating connections between them and Hall of Fame members. The foundation’s new permanent home will feature informative exhibits about the industry’s past and future, serving as a world-class destination for visitors interested in the High Point Market story. The space will include a Celebration Hall, a Story Wall, and an executive boardroom, catering to public gatherings, meetings, and special events while embracing the local community and industry visitors.
Outside of taking home the award, Chase had an amazing, once-in-a-lifetime experience at the event that took place at High Point University amongst other exemplary leaders in the industry. He left this experience with new relationships and learned valuable lessons from great individuals.
Chase’s Perspective :
Attending this year’s Leadership Institute was an eye-opening experience, with an overall theme of vision and its significance for leaders and organizations alike. I got to witness first-hand how industry leaders blend foundational principles with cutting-edge technology to tackle contemporary challenges, and it was truly inspiring. It highlighted the irreplaceable aspects crucial for any organization’s vision and growth, regardless of size or scale.
The institute curated an impressive lineup of speakers and insiders with remarkable credentials. It was evident that they were deeply invested in shaping the industry’s future. What struck me the most was that each speaker was a trailblazer in their field, the first to pioneer significant changes. Hearing their stories provided profound insights into the rationale behind industry practices.
It was truly a snapshot of where we have been and where we are going now as an industry.
The event was a whirlwind of activities, each designed to provide a comprehensive learning experience. From inspiring keynote speeches by industry pioneers to case study workshops, team challenges, and networking sessions, each day was packed with valuable opportunities. It was truly a snapshot of where we have been and where we are going now as an industry. Engaging with influential leaders and exchanging thoughts with aspiring talents offered a holistic view of the industry’s past, present, and future.
Among the exceptional speakers, Kevin O’Connor from Samson Marketing left the biggest impression on me, although they were all great. His journey transcended multiple industries, revolutionizing processes that have since become standard practice. His story was so relatable not because of the things he achieved but because of the unbelievable ups and downs he and his partners went through to achieve it. After hearing it, my only thought was that if he can overcome all of that, then the problems in front of me and my team are incredibly manageable.
Overall, this was a truly rewarding experience.
Fortunately for you, we love being at industry events! Let us keep you in the loop by staying tuned to our events page for more industry experiences. Also, browse our blogs for additional resources and events for architecture and interior design professionals.