One of the highlights of the January show calendar in Dallas has always been the ARTS Awards, the gift and home industry’s single largest and most prestigious event, honoring winners across all sectors of the business, from retailers to suppliers to designers to sales representatives.
We were proud to once again host it last month, attracting close to 1,000 people with more than two dozen honorees, including special awards. This year ARTS honored Andy Singer of Visual Comfort with the Academy of Achievement, Lois del Negro, a founder of Global Views with the Trailblazer Award, and the H Foundation with the Hearts Award. The Phillips Collection also received the Green Award acknowledging environmental excellence.
But ARTS has always been about more than just giving out awards. In the 35-year history of the program, hundreds of companies and individuals have been recognized for product design, retailing, and salesmanship, serving as perhaps the most valuable acknowledgment possible: that of your peers. So many honorees – large and small, old and new – have found the process fulfilling for taking them and their businesses to the next level.
And it’s not just about award finalists. The attendees have always said being able to see the best in class in the industry has been both a learning experience and a way to get new ideas on how to do things better themselves. They know that the judging process is one of the most rigorous anywhere with two rounds in the selection process, overseen by industry members from the retail, wholesale, and press sectors. Participants have always said the submission process is a true test of their excellence.
“We congratulate all of this year’s honorees for their remarkable achievements,” said Sharon Davis, executive director of ART. Added Cindy Morris, president and CEO of Dallas Market Center, “We were so thrilled to highlight exceptional industry excellence at this year’s event and look forward to once again hosting in 2026.”
Entries for next year’s ARTS Awards will begin to be accepted this spring and more information is available on the process and deadlines at www.accessoriesresourceteam.org.