Judging

Now in its 22nd year, this one-of-a-kind annual recognition program honors outstanding achievement in retailing, manufacturing, sales representation and product design. The annual Academy of Achievement Award is presented to the individual or entitity who has made important contributions to the decorative accessories industry. The Rising Stars award is for retailers and manufacturers who have been in business three years or less.

The 21st Annual ARTS Awards Judging took place November 12 & 13, 2009 at the Dallas Market Center. Exclusive behind-the-scenes photos above show you what takes place on this long but exciting day. Click on thumbnails for a bigger view.

[From left-right]
1. 21st ARTS Awards Judges: from left – Lynn Brandon, University of North Texas; Dixon Bartlett, HB2 consultants; Mark McMenamin, Interior Design Magazine;   David Cadwallader, Cadwallader Design; Emily Johnson, Emily Johnson Design. The judges put in 2 full days of work examining product and company binders to choose the winners. They score each binder individually. The ballots are sealed and delivered to a tabulator after the judging is complete.

2. Each manufacturer nominated is required to submit product and a company binder for judging. Great care is taken to display the product for the judges to see how it displayed in the manufacturer’s showroom as shown here in the tabletop category display. 

3. All products are assembled and wall decor hung to give the judges a complete understanding of how the product would look in a buyers home. All products submitted are displayed to advantage.

4. Every effort is made to display & merchandise the product submitted to resemble the finalists showroom efforts. Binders only are required of Retail, Product Designer and Sales Representative finalists. Each binder is expected to be complete with information about their business including marketing, merchandising, professional information and community service examples.

The ARTS Awards Process - link to the Dallas Market Center site