Umbra and its co-founders—Les Mandelbaum and Paul Rowan—will be honored with the Gift For Life Industry Achievement Award during the Gifts & Decorative Accessories 60^th Annual Retailer Excellence Awards (REA) on Sunday, August 19, 2012, in New York City.

Umbra began in 1979 with a single design of printed paper window shades. The company’s products have since become design icons and continuing best-sellers in the marketplace. The curvaceous Garbino Can sits in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art; even more designs have received international design recognition.

With products available at over 35,000 retailers, in over 100 countries, Umbra’s award winning design team (over 30 men and women from all around the world) have introduced products for every room in the home. The company maintains its reputation by staying true to Les and Paul’s original philosophy: that everyday objects can be a source of pleasure when reinvented to combine function with modern technology, stylish design, and wit.

“Les and Paul’s dedication to design excellence and decades of product stewardship make them worthy recipients of this honor,” said Leslie Nathan-Street, chair of the Gift for Life board. “We are proud to present the Industry Achievement Honor to a visionary company and founders who continue to challenge and excite the industry.”

“More than three decades ago a simple idea grew into a company with lots of creative minds, compelling products and support from thoughtful customers,” said Les Mandelbaum, co-founder. “On behalf of the entire Umbra family around the world we humbly accept this award.”

Gifts & Decorative Accessories’ Retailer Excellence Awards recognize excellence in retailing and individual achievement.  Introduced in 1951, the REA’s are the industry’s most established and prestigious honors awards.  During this festive industry gathering, 2012 finalists will be recognized, retail category winners will be announced, special recognition awards will be presented and Gift For Life’s Industry Achievement Award will be presented.  Tickets $185 each, including cocktails and dinner, are available through www.giftsanddec.com.

To download the official press release, click the About link at the top of the page.

What’s better than a Sunday morning stroll with friends? One that does good for others.

Gift for Life and the National Stationery Show are teaming up for this year’s AIDS Walk New York, a charity fundraiser taking place in Central Park on Sunday, May 20 (perfect timing, since that’s opening day of the Show).  The GFL/NSS team is actively recruiting walkers to raise funds for the fight against HIV/AIDS.

The team will walk 10 kilometers (6.2miles) through Central Park and across New York City’s Upper West Side.  At the conclusion of the official route, the GFL/NSS team will “go the extra mile,” finishing at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, where the show will be in full swing.

Since 1986, AIDS Walk New York has raised more than $122 million for HIV programs and services in the tri-state area, and has grown into the largest AIDS fundraising event in the world. In 2011 alone, 45,000 participants, many of whom were members of more than 3,000 corporate and community teams, raised over $6.2 million for GMHC (Gay Mens Health Crisis) and 50 other tri-state area AIDS service organizations.

“The National Stationery Show is delighted to partner with Gift For Life to support AIDS Walk New York,” said Patti Stracher, General Manager of the National Stationery Show “The event’s overlap with the National Stationery Show’s opening day offers members of the social stationery industry a unique opportunity to support this important cause – whether as walkers along the course or as donors from the exhibit floor.”

Industry members and friends are invited to join the GFL/NSS team as walkers or donors—both are welcome and deeply appreciated.

To join the team as a walker, or to make donations to AIDS Walk New York, click here.

Got questions? Contact Cathy Steel, our team organizer, by email or phone (203-340-9251).

For a copy of the official press release, click the About tab at the top of the page.

Woooo-hooooo! The final numbers are in…and impressive numbers they are. Last Sunday’s Party for Life celebration at the Central Park Boathouse garnered $208,000 for the fight against HIV/AIDS. Fan-tas-tic! 

“A generous industry truly delivered dramatic results as we combined fun with fundraising,” said Leslie Nathan-Street, Gift for Life chairperson.  “To date we have raised nearly $5 million for HIV/AIDS research and assistance through the generous help of sponsors and party attendees. Thanks to everyone for helping make this event a huge success.”

The night didn’t fail to deliver, with numerous well-stocked food stations and bars, providing a lively, upbeat mood while guests competed for a wide array of prizes in the silent and live auctions: jewelry, home décor, photography services, show tickets, sports events, vacation packages, market trips, marketing assistance, and much more.

The evening’s highlight was a program honoring four industry leaders: Jenny Hammons (Bert Tonkin Gift of Giving Award); Brandwise and its founders Todd and Jannetta Litzman (Trailblazer Award); George Kacic (Chuck Yancy Lifetime Achievement Award); and John C. Portman, Jr. (Legend for Life honor).

In the end, though, the real stars are you—those who attended, bid, sponsored, and helped raise funds necessary for DIFFA to continue their work. “Thanks” doesn’t begin to do justice when describing the gratitude all of us at Gift for Life feel.

What a night…what a blast…what a high mark we have to meet next year! Thanks to our spectacular sponsors and attendees for kicking off Gift for Life’s 20th anniversary year with such an earth-shattering bang!

P.S. Photos of the big night can be viewed online:

1. Visit www.thephotogroup.com
2. Select Online Images
3. Enter gift4life
4. Click on Gift For Life folder – HONOREES or PARTY PHOTOS
5. Click on images to view
6. Click on download to open/save

Cheers!

“Hey, let’s have a fundraiser,” was the line that started it all, according to Nancy Michael (VP of Marketing, The Chicago Market).  Next thing you know, there’s a $7,100 check with Gift for Life’s name on it.

A special silent auction was held during The Chicago Market’s “Shop Late Night” on Saturday, January 21, in an effort to raise funds and awareness for GFL. Attendees who visited the 13th and 14th floors of The Merchandise Mart that night were treated to Chicago-style street food and snacks while shopping the permanent showrooms…and bidding on silent-auction items.

As Nancy put it, “Most of our showrooms were on board, and we received some amazing donation prizes,” including everything from accessories to a fully outfitted Christmas tree with a retail value of $750. As if that wasn’t gracious enough, an additional portion of proceeds from the cash-and-carry showroom run by HCI was kicked into the donation.

Just goes to show a little idea can go a long way.

A huge thanks to everyone in Chicago that made this happen. Home run!

The feedback from Sunday’s Party for Life has been nothing but slam-bang fabulous, with lots of kudos…not to mention a slew of folks volunteering as sponsors for next year so they, too, can share in the spotlight. The night was a huge success, for which we thank our sponsors, volunteers, staff, and most of all—attendees. Party for Life truly rocked it this year!

It’s nearly here…Party for Life, our annual blow out fund raiser! Since Central Park (home to the Boathouse, where we’ll be kicking up our heels) is closed to traffic on weekends, here’s our handy dandy cheat sheet to getting to the big event:

To the Boathouse from the Javitz
Free shuttle (check for signs, but this is probably going to be from the lower level)

To the Boathouse from elsewhere
The Central Park Trolley runs every 15-20 minutes, picking up from three spots along 5th Avenue:
- At 72nd Street
- At 80th Street, near the Metropolitan Museum’s garage
- At 90th (east side of the street only)

 Leaving the Boathouse at the end of the evening
Two options:
- Central Park Trolley back to the three stops listed above
- Academy shuttle bus dropping off at The Plaza Hotel

For tickets (what? you haven’t bought yours yet???), click here; for details about the event, click here.

To see who our fan-tab-u-ous sponsors are, click here (another list you want to be on).

See you on Sunday night!

Twice each year, Gift for Life selects individuals who have had a significant, positive impact on the gift and home industries, then recognizes them with prestigious awards reflecting their unique contributions. It’s a pretty exclusive club, including industry luminaries, visionaries, and creatives that raise the bar high with their generosity of heart and kindness of spirit.

This year’s first honorees will be celebrated at our annual winter fundraiser, Party for Life in New York on Sunday, January 29, 2012. The big evening is looming close, so we thought it might be nice to remind you who, exactly, these fan-tab-u-lous folks are that have us so impressed. Wrapping up our four honorees is….

Brandwise
Trailblazer Award

For more than 14 years, Brandwise has been driving the innovation of technology in the gift and home industry by listening to its needs and consistently creating and providing solutions and tools to help Suppliers and Sales Reps sell more, increase efficiencies and in effect, enhancing the retailer’s buying experience.

This journey began back in 1997 when Brandwise brought sales reps out of the stone-age of hand-written orders by introducing the convenience and efficiency of scanning technology.

Ever since, the company, led by Todd and Jannetta Litzman, Chief Technology Officer Randy Quade, and Vice President of Operations Karen Radcliffe, has continually added services and tools that help automate each step in the sales channel; from showroom floor to the road, from back office functions to executive business intelligence and online where the company’s revolutionary bwconnect™ service allows retailers, reps and suppliers to collaborate online to do business. Developing this online platform was a strategic, forward-thinking investment by Brandwise towards keeping the value of the rep/retailer relationship relevant online and for the health of the Gift & Home Industry’s future.

“Todd and I, through our work with Brandwise, have always been dedicated to the health of this industry,” according to Litzman. “But it has been most gratifying working with Gift for Life, which has been literally dedicated to the health and well-being, over the years, of so many in our industry and beyond.”

Please join us in honoring Brandwise, along with our other industry leaders, by attending Party for Life or by donating in their honor. Either way, your dollars will have a positive impact, supporting the work done by DIFFA (Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS)—one of the country’s largest supporters of direct care for people living with HIV/AIDS and preventive education for those at risk.

Twice each year, Gift for Life selects individuals who have had a significant, positive impact on the gift and home industries, then recognizes them with prestigious awards reflecting their unique contributions. It’s a pretty exclusive club, including industry luminaries, visionaries, and creatives that raise the bar high with their generosity of heart and kindness of spirit.

This year’s first honorees will be celebrated at our annual winter fundraiser, Party for Life in New York on Sunday, January 29, 2012. The big evening is looming close, so we thought it might be nice to remind you who, exactly, these fan-tab-u-lous folks are that have us so impressed. Here’s the third of this year’s four Winter Honorees:

Jenny Hammons
Bert Tonkin Gift of Giving Award

As the recipient of this prestigious award, Jenny Hammons is recognized for her efforts in sustained philanthropic endeavors benefitting the entire industry, emulating GFL benefactor and award namesake, Bert Tonkin.

Hammons is a gift industry veteran and owner of Jenny Hammons/Company, which consists of West Coast-based sales organizations servicing the gift and home-décor markets in Northern California and the U.S. Pacific Northwest. She is a former Chair of the board of Gift for Life and tireless fundraiser on GFL’s behalf; her ongoing contributions and enthusiasm for our cause continues to inspire us all today.

Please join us in honoring Jenny and our other industry leaders by attending Party for Life or by donating in their honor. Either way, your dollars will have a positive impact, supporting the work done by DIFFA (Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS)—one of the country’s largest supporters of direct care for people living with HIV/AIDS and preventive education for those at risk.

Twice each year, Gift for Life selects individuals who have had a significant, positive impact on the gift and home industries, then recognizes them with prestigious awards reflecting their unique contributions. It’s a pretty exclusive club, including industry luminaries, visionaries, and creatives that raise the bar high with their generosity of heart and kindness of spirit.

This year’s first honorees will be celebrated at our annual winter fundraiser, Party for Life in New York on Sunday, January 29, 2012. The big evening is looming close, so we thought it might be nice to remind you who, exactly, these fan-tab-u-lous folks are that have us so impressed. Here’s the second of our four Winter Honorees:

George Kacic
Chuck Yancy Lifetime Achievement Award

Presented to a special recipient who’s had an abiding impact on the industry through leadership and generosity, George Kacic’s career within the gift and home-décor industry consists of thirty-five years of standout examples, including Ganz USA and Russ Berrie—two powerhouse companies in the gift industry.

As Vice President of Takara USA, Kacic was instrumental in establishing the Japanese-based company within the United States. His industry activities are as deep-rooted as his corporate leadership.  Kacic is serving as the Advisory Board Chairman for AmericasMart; is a member of the Gift for Life Board; has served six years on the Gift & Home Trade Association’s (GHTA) Board, acting as President, Chairman Emeritus and, most recently, an ICON Honors founding partner; and is the current co-chair for the GHTA Annual Conference.

Please join us in honoring George and our other industry leaders by attending Party for Life or by donating in their honor. Either way, your dollars will have a positive impact, supporting the work done by DIFFA (Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS)—one of the country’s largest supporters of direct care for people living with HIV/AIDS and preventive education for those at risk.

Twice each year, Gift for Life selects individuals who have had a significant, positive impact on the gift and home industries, then recognizes them with prestigious awards reflecting their unique contributions. It’s a pretty exclusive club, including industry luminaries, visionaries, and creatives that raise the bar high with their generosity of heart and kindness of spirit.

This year’s first honorees will be celebrated at our annual winter fundraiser, Party for Life in New York on Sunday, January 29, 2012. The big evening is looming close, so we thought it might be nice to remind you who, exactly, these fan-tab-u-lous folks are that have us so impressed. Here’s the first of our four 2012 Winter Honorees:

John C. Portman, Jr.
Legend for Life Award 

The Legend for Life Award is being presented for the first time in celebration of Gift for Life’s 20th Anniversary,  recognizing Mr. Portman’s five-plus decades of entrepreneurship and service to several industries, including gift, home, and apparel.

In 1957 he founded Atlanta Merchandise Mart (now AmericasMart)—the largest trade mart/trade show complex of its kind in the world. Across its sprawling 7.0 million-square-foot facilities, AmericasMart’s specialty product takes center stage as the chief attraction for the more than 548,000 attendees who each year participate in its 15 annual markets. Its product mix and essential service standards regularly bring retailers from every U.S. state and more than 80 countries worldwide.

By stimulating trade and tourism, Portman was the catalyst who established Atlanta as one of the nation’s premier convention cities. Three major downtown hotels Portman designed and developed—the Hyatt Regency, Westin Peachtree Plaza, and Marriott Marquis—anchor the convention district.

Following up on his initial success, Portman began an unmatched record of commercial and hospitality development and design in downtown Atlanta and then across the United States in cities including San Francisco, Chicago, Detroit, Los Angeles and New York City. During this period, he was noted for his innovative atrium hotel form used in projects including the Bonaventure Hotel in Los Angeles and the Renaissance Center in Detroit. He is perhaps best known for his urban mixed-use complexes, large-scale developments that integrate open spaces and public art into the function of the space.

In 1982, sensing global opportunities, Portman expanded his vision of thoughtful design into Asia. First in Singapore, then in Malaysia and China, he created signature projects that have graced the skylines of some of the most important cities in the world.

He has served as a board member of the Atlanta College of Art, and is Trustee Emeritus of the Atlanta Arts Alliance. He has also served as a Director of the Atlanta High Museum of Art. The Georgia Institute of Technology (his alma mater) presented him their highest honor, the Exceptional Achievement Award, in 1986.

Please join us in honoring Mr. Portman and our other industry leaders by attending Party for Life or by donating in their honor. Either way, your dollars will have a positive impact, supporting the work done by DIFFA (Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS)—one of the country’s largest supporters of direct care for people living with HIV/AIDS and preventive education for those at risk.