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OFMA re-elects Owen; market set Aug. 8–10

By Michael J. Knell -- Furniture Today, September 14, 2003

Mississauga, Ontario — The Ontario Furniture Manufacturers Assn. has re-elected Hugh Owen to his third one-year term as president. At its annual meeting here, the trade group also set next year's Toronto Summer Furniture Show for Aug. 8–10.

Owen, president of bedding maker Kingsdown Canada, said the show will be held in conjunction with the summer market of the Canadian Gift and Tableware Assn. OFMA's annual Retailer of the Year gala is scheduled for Saturday evening, Aug. 7.

The association surveyed members after this summer's poorly attended show, held in early June, and the August dates linked to the gift market "is when the industry seems to think the show should be," Owen said.

Planning for the 2004 event is still in the early stages, but Owen said OFMA members want incentives to encourage buyer attendance. At one time, OFMA offered retailers heavily discounted airfares. "What we can do will depend on the level of support we get from the industry," he said.

The summer show will include most factories with permanent showrooms in and around Toronto's International Center.

Owen said no new OFMA initiatives currently are planned for the coming year as the group focuses on strengthening existing programs and boosting membership. The association's major annual event is the Canadian Home Furnishings Awards, presented each January on the eve of the Toronto winter market, when it also bestows the Manufacturer of the Year Award.

OFMA intends to track a number of issues affecting its members, Owen said. "We're going to have to monitor what's going on in China very carefully," he said, adding that all three Canadian factory groups are watching the progress of the U.S. antidumping petition.

At the meeting, two executives were elected to OFMA's board of directors for three-year terms. They are Laine Reynolds, vice president of sales for Superstyle Furniture, and Bill Zimmerman, controller of Durham Furniture. Reynolds also serves as chairman of the Canadian Home Furnishings Awards steering committee.

Stanley Mintz, president of Reflections Furniture, was re-elected to his fourth three-year board term.

In addition to Owen, the board's executive committee includes immediate past president Gerry Cockerill, president of Traditional Sales, an industry consulting firm; and treasurer Dino Colollilo, president of Edgewood Furniture. The board will elect a vice president at its next meeting.

Other directors are Alan Kornblum of Distinctive Designs, Angelo Gallo of Statum Designs, Joseph Roboz of Korson Furniture, Terry Pace of Simmons Canada, Jeff Engel of Engelite, Tony Orlando of T&J Furniture, Sid Isenberg of Origo Designs and Don Schott of La-Z-Boy Canada.

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