Sustainable Home Furnishings Focus of October High Point Market 2-day Event

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sustainable Home Furnishings Focus of October High Point Market 2-day Event
Experts Present Sustainability and Responsible Wood Sourcing Topics to Industry
Sustainable Furniture Council, MMPI, High Point Market Authority Team Up for Lunch-and-learn
 
High Point – The Sustainable Furniture Council (SFC), Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc.
(MMPI) and the High Point Market Authority are primary sponsors of two educational
lunchtime events scheduled during the October High Point Market. Product
sustainability and responsible wood sourcing are the featured topics. 
 
On Tuesday, October 2, Mike Italiano, president and chief executive officer of the
Institute for Market Transformation to Sustainability (MTS), presents “Sustainability 101,” a
primer for defining, producing, selling and marketing ecologically sound products.
Italiano’s talk will detail evaluation criteria on the subject of sustainability. Attendees
may qualify for CEU credits for this event. 
 
The next day, Wednesday, October 3, is titled, “Responsible Wood Purchasing – How
your choices can make a difference to the Planet.” Daphne Hewitt, senior projects
manager for the Rainforest Alliance’s TREES program, will discuss the challenges of
responsible wood sourcing along with its impact on the furniture industry. In light of
growing consumer demand, Hewitt will supply ideas and tools for both producers and
sellers of wood furnishings.
 
Both hour-long events begin at noon in the Courtyard at Market Square and are
targeted to furniture designers, retailers, manufacturers and marketers. Participants are
encouraged to attend both events. Seating is limited. An eco-friendly lunch will be
provided each day. Reservations are needed by September 27, and should be made
via email to: jan@highpointmarket.org.
 
Italiano is founder of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) with more than 35 years
of environmental experience, including a post as senior analyst in the White House
Science Office. As assistant to the director for the National Commission on Water
Quality, he helped write the Congressional Report on the Clean Water Act. He has
published more than 50 articles in the environmental field and authored four books on
related subjects. For industry, Italiano directed the development and approval of
SMART© Sustainable Products Standards for the Sporting Goods Manufacturing
Association.
 
Since 2000, Hewitt has worked for Rainforest Alliance, an internationally acclaimed non-
profit environmental organization. Her primary role has been to lead initiatives which link
wood purchasers to sustainable sources, through the Rainforest Alliance’s SmartSource
service program. She is experienced in sustainable forest management and
international development, with a focus on tropical Latin America. Her field projects in
six countries work to improve the livelihoods for rural and indigenous communities.
Hewitt serves on the board of directors for the furniture industry’s Sustainable Furniture
Council (SFC).
 
Additional sponsors for the events are High Point Market exhibitors Groovy Stuff and
Caperton Furnitureworks.
 
Media Contact: Susan Inglis, 919-96- 1762 or susan@sustainablefurniturecouncil.com