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Green: Idea whose time has come

Editor's Desk column

Ray Allegrezza, Editor in Chief -- Furniture Today, April 15, 2007

Victor Hugo once observed, "There is nothing more powerful than an idea whose time has come." While I suspect Hugo never heard the term "eco-friendly," I can tell you that, based on what I saw at the recent High Point Market, the idea of sustainable-source home furnishings has arrived.

The list of exhibitors touting green products and programs was impressive and, by my count, up substantially from last market.

Clearly, I'm not the only one who sees this trend. At market, Merchandise Mart Properties Inc., partnering with the Sustainable Furniture Council, a group I'm proud to say I am a member of, created several opportunities designed to help marketgoers learn more about the importance of adopting sustainable practices in their businesses.

One of the more visible efforts was the GREENStyle Pavilion on the top floor of the Suites at Market Square. This destination area allowed a number of green suppliers to showcase products. It also served as home during market for the SFC and the Rainforest Alliance. Both groups were able to reach out to interested retailers and share their respective objectives.

MMPI, the High Point Market Authority and the SFC also hosted a GREENStyle Party, sponsored by Furniture|Today. The bash featured eco-friendly lifestyle expert Danny Seo, who spoke to the crowd about the critical role of sustainability in the home furnishings arena.

If you missed seeing Danny, you will see him again in mid-May. He will be on the "cover" of Green, Furniture|Today's newest launch and our first-ever purely digital magazine. (Click here for details about Green).

As the name suggests, Green will be devoted exclusively to eco-friendly retailers, suppliers, green products and anything and everything else our industry is doing in the sustainable arena.

As a digital magazine, we don't need paper and ink, which means we're not taking down trees in order to put up Green on our Web site.

Just as exciting, as a digital publication, we have all the positives of the Web — content on demand, immediate delivery of that content, the ability to link readers, retailers, manufacturers, importers and suppliers, and much more.

Hey, spring is here. That has to mean that things will be getting very Green very soon.

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