American Furniture Hall of Fame nominations open

Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, February 18, 2013

HIGH POINT — The American Furniture Hall of Fame Foundation is accepting nominations through March 15 for candidates to become an Industry Fellow and to be inducted into the American Furniture Hall of Fame later this year.

Foundation members are eligible to nominate, second and vote.

An independent Industry Fellows selection committee will choose the best qualified candidates for the ballot. Industry Fellows are then determined by the combination of a vote of the membership and a points-based rating of each nominee by the selection committee.

"There is no higher honor than to be nominated by one's peers in recognition of a career of achievement and service," said Randy Ford, president of the foundation. "We encourage foundation members to nominate a leader who exemplifies enduring excellence, superior accomplishments, innovation and creativity, and philanthropic generosity of their time, talents and resources."

Each nominee must conduct business in the United States, have served in the industry for at least 15 years, and have created a legacy as a positive influence and champion of the industry. If deceased, the individual may not have died in the 12 months prior to the date of the nomination.

Members may submit nominations between now and March 15. Ballots, along with a list of nominees and their biographical information, will be mailed the end of June. The winners will be announced and inducted at the American Furniture Hall of Fame banquet on Oct. 20 during the fall High Point Market.

Nomination forms and lists of current members, previous nominees and inductees are available on the foundation website at www.furniturehalloffame.com. Printed copies of the documents are available by calling (336) 882-5900.

To join the Hall of Fame Foundation, individual and corporate memberships range from $250 to $1,000. All contributions are tax deductible. Checks should be made payable to American Furniture Hall of Fame Foundation and sent to 202 Neal Place, High Point, N.C. 27262.

To make a nomination, re-nomination or posthumous nomination, foundation members should complete the nomination form on the website. A print or digital 300 dpi photo of the candidate must be enclosed.

All nominations must be seconded, in writing, by another foundation member. An independent selection committee will choose best qualified candidates for the final ballot. If selected for the ballot, there is a nomination and re-nomination fee of $500 to help defray the costs of the nomination process.

The completed nomination package must be postmarked no later than March 15, 2013, and sent to American Furniture Hall of Fame Foundation Inc., 202 Neal Place, High Point, N.C. 27262.