Commerce, CA – The Association of Woodworking & Furnishings Suppliers (AWFS) has realigned its executive staff in a bid to continue its trade show growth. The moves were made after Dale Silverman, executive director for the past 11 years, announced her intent to retire in 2007. Silverman was credited with shepherding the association through some challenging developmental phases and building a strong, internationally recognized trade association. As a result, her title was changed to executive vice president. Her duties remain the same. Angelo Gangone, formerly director of the AWFS Fair, was named vice president of trade shows.
The group is conducting a search to fill the new position of Vice President, Operations and expects to have someone in place early in 2006. The Vice President of Operations will focus on association matters, while Gangone will focus exclusively on trade shows.
“Our No. 1 concern is always the exhibitors and attendees at our trade shows,” Gangone said. “We want to make sure they continually see what we do to improve (the product).”
Founded in 1911, AWFS is a national trade organization that owns and produces the AWFS Fair— one of the largest trade shows for the home and commercial furnishings industry. Gangone said the 2005 Fair—the first held in Las Vegas—was the group’s “most successful show,” with an average increase in attendance and exhibitors of 20 percent.
Contact: Dale Silverman and Angelo Gangone (323) 838-9440, dale@awfs.org; angelo@awfs.org.
