General News

Due to the tremendous success of the first GREENleaders series we are ready to offer it for the second time! You'll have the opportunity to either attend GREENleaders at market or as a webinar. To find out more, attend a free 45 minute sample webinar, Monday, August 31, at 2pm EDT. You will receive valuable information that you can apply in your own business immediately and a better understanding of what the entire program has to offer. All you need is a computer and a phone. To register for the free webinar preview, call 919-967-1137 or email admin@sustainablefurnishings.org.

See GREENleaders schedule information.

Sustainable Furnishings Council is proud to announce that Susan Inglis has been awarded a 2009 WithIt (Women in the Home Industries Today) WOW award for her achievements in developing programs to educate associates, retailers and consumers about home furnishings. Since the inception of the Sustainable Furnishings Council, Inglis has dedicated her career to educating the home furnishings industry about environmental and social responsibilities, following on a long career educating artisans and other small business owners.

GREEN/leaders/is being offered online as a series of six 1-hour webinars for $299. All you need is a computer, internet access and a phone. There will be a 10-question exam that will need to be completed online within 15 minutes after each module. Passing participants will receive a Certificate of Course completion, business cards, a listing on the SFC web site, and a free copy of the latest edition of the SFC Green Furnishings Consumer Study. Participants may also choose to become full members of the Sustainable Furnishings Council at a 25% discount on first year dues entitling you to Member Seal use, a live link in the SFC searchable database, ongoing education, and other special discounts and offers. For a full list of member benefits, visit *www.sustainablefurnishings.org*  Webinair Dates:  July 7, 14, 21, 30 and August 4, 11.  Time:  2-3PM Eastern Daylight Time.

IHFC-C202, Saturday, April 25, 2009; 5:30 to 7:30 PM.

FRIANT, CA (March 23, 2009) -- The Specialty Sleep Association (SSA) announced that it has joined the Sustainable Furnishings Council (SFC) according to Dale T. Read, president, SSA.

“As the SSA undertakes its step-by-step ‘green initiative” to identify existing terms, standards and certifications, and to define and set standards for how mattress manufacturers and retailers as well as natural sleep products label “green,’ creating a relationship with the SFC is an important step in achieving our goals,” said Read.

(AUSTIN, TX) – March 13, 2009 – The Sustainable Furnishings Council announced this week the promotion of Jeff Hiller as the new President of the leading green organization in home furnishings.

Research shows consumers will pay more for green,  but they need to know why.
SFC offers the best training anywhere that explains climate change, consumer hot
buttons, issues in home furnishings, and how to sell green to your customers.

(LAS VEGAS) –February 23, 2009– The Sustainable Furnishings Council attracted a lot of attention and many new members at the Winter market in Las Vegas Feb 9-13.
 
The SFC expanded its educational offerings at market in several significant ways that drew strong crowds. Their slate of three free presentations was delivered in a dedicated Seminar Lounge inside the Living Green Pavilion in Bldg B, and each drew a capacity crowd of over 50 participants. The topics all revolved around ways for retailers to green their businesses, including Sourcing & Operations, Marketing, and Sales, and presenters included some notable SFC members. Sourcing & Operations on Monday, 2/9 was led by Laurie Schmidt and Lisa Russell of contemporary manufacturer Animavi, and the Sales discussion on Wednesday, 2/11 was led by Greg Harden of Harden Furniture, one of the SFC’s first Silver Exemplary manufacturers.
 

A design competition that is focused on finding ways to recycle mattress and box spring materials presented a first place award to a group from Emeryville, Calif., who created what are called Helix acoustical panels for office partitions and room dividers.
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