[ The ARTS Awards ] - A Night To Remember

The 32nd annual #ARTSawards was a night I will remember for all of my life.

On this night, long time Savour Partnership client, modern indoor | indoor outdoor furniture manufacturer, Seasonal Living, won their 6th #ARTSaward in the category, Outdoor Living.

Seasonal Living’s CEO Gary Pettittwas not able to be at the #ARTSawards. He had asked me, since I had already purchased my ticket to the #ARTSawards, if I would accept the award on his behalf, should Seasonal Living win it again.

It was SUCH an exciting moment when emcees Carson Kressley and Thom Filicia opened the envelope and read the name, Seasonal Living!

I think I let out a little yelp of joy before quickly coming to my senses and getting myself up on the stage [ without tripping! ]

Are you noticing how gentlemanly it was of Thom to lend his hand to steady me? Thank you, Thom!

But, before I could get up there, I was stopped for a quick high five by Caroline Hipple, President of Norwalk Furniture and the recipient of the #ARTSawards Academy of Achievement honor this year for her distinguished service to the industry.

This is what it means when I use the hashtag, #womensupportingwomen.

Caroline is one in a million - we’ve known each other for 20+ years and noone has done more to support the leadership development of women in the home furnishings industry than Caroline.

She now serves on the board of the Bienenstock Furniture Library with me and I can’t wait to share with you something special coming up with Norwalk Furniture this Spring - before #HPMKT!!

Watch this short video to see what it was like for me to walk up to that big stage and make a short acceptance speech, on behalf of Seasonal Living.

It was definitely the closest I’ll ever get to feeling like I was on an Oscar worthy stage. I was SO excited…and a little nervous…but really, just THRILLED!

Gary is such a visionary and is willing to take [ and underwrite ] chances - where others aren’t. He’s dedicated to excellence. It was such an emotional high to see his leadership be recognized with this prestigious award.

Here’s a post on the Seasonal Living blog that explains exactly what the #ARTSawards are, who is behind them, how they work, who the judges were this year, and all of the people on the Seasonal Living team that helped to make this win possible.

https://www.seasonalliving.com/2022/01/exciting-news-we-won-the-arts-award

Here’s my favorite picture of Caroline from the evening. This was right after her business partner told the most beautiful and genuine story about her contributions to the industry - a story that brought tears to her eyes, and to the eyes of many of us in the audience.

It was truly a night to remember forever.

If you’d like to see all of the official pictures taken on this evening, click here.

This is the official video of the entire ceremony:

My sincere thanks to everyone who made this spectacular evening possible, most especially #ARTSawards executive director, Sharon Davis, shown in the image below in the beautiful sparkly silver dress.

When I say that the #ARTSawards are the Oscars Of The Home Furnishings Industry, now you can see what I mean.

If you can, plan on attending the #ARTSawards next January. The ceremony is held concurrently with Dallas Market’s Total Home and Gift Show and the January #Lightovation show, which I attended this year on behalf of past client, lighting exhibitor MINKA GROUP, which I wrote about here.

What a week it was! Thank you to everyone who made this possible. It takes a huge effort to pull an event of this magnitude off so smoothly.

It was an incredible way to start 2022 - my 20th year in business. I am so grateful and Gary, if you see this post, congratulations > again!

Until next year….

Leslie Carothers
Chief Energizing Officer
Savour Partnership

savourpartnership.com
https://instagram.com/lesliemcarothers