Florida, Southeastern home furnishings retail groups merge

About 180 members now under SEHFA banner

Clint Engel -- Furniture Today, August 10, 2010

HIGH POINT — The Florida Home Furnishings Assn. and the Southeastern Home Furnishings Assn. have merged under the SEHFA banner.

In a press release, the retailer groups - both affiliates of the National Home Furnishings Assn. - said the move will eliminate duplication resulting from overlapping territories in the Florida panhandle.

Mark Godwin, who was president of SEHFA, with about 110 members, remains president. Rick Howard, former president of FHFA, with about 70 members, has joined the SEHFA board, said Steve DeHaan, NHFA executive vice president.

"This merger will breathe new life into the expanded association, and assurances have been set in place to give the Florida contingent a strong voice on the board of directors," the release said. DeHaan noted that two Florida members have joined the board and more may be added later.

The announcement also cited "improved administrative efficiency and lower overhead costs," although the NHFA did not estimate the cost savings.

The larger base of members also will enable the SEHFA "to attract the type of talent they want for conventions and educational programs and to improve the quality of these programs," the group said.