Art Van, Flexsteel to be honored at Furniture/Today conference

Event set for Dec. 2-4 in Naples, Fla.

Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, June 17, 2009

HIGH POINT — As part of its upcoming 13th Annual Leadership Conference, Furniture/Today has announced that Michigan-based Art Van Furniture has been named Retailer of the Year and that Iowa-based upholstery maker Flexsteel has been named Supplier of the Year.

The companies will be recognized at an awards dinner during the Leadership Conference, set for Dec. 2-4 at the Ritz Carlton Golf Resort in Naples, Fla.

"Each of these companies are cornerstones of the industry and well-deserving of special recognition," said Furniture/Today Editor-in-chief Ray Allegrezza.

"Art Van began as a small family business with a single 4,000-square-foot store in 1959 and grew it to a 30-store regional powerhouse that dominates the Michigan market," Allegrezza said.

"Flexsteel, meanwhile, is another American success story," he said. "The company, which makes seating products for virtually every application, has more than a 100-year history as a credible, reliable and innovative supplier."

He said the ability of each company to move forward in spite of the current economic landscape truly underscores this year's conference theme - Thriving in a Survivor's World.

For more information about this year's conference, which examine key opportunities and challenges the industry will face as it works to return to profitability, contact Allegrezza at
rallegrezza@reedbusiness.com.

To watch a video of comments of people who attended last year's Leadership Conference, click here.