China International Furniture Fair and Pinnacle Awards Launch Asia-Pacific Awards to Connect Design with Region#s Furniture Industry

The Pinnacle Awards, the most prestigious award in the American furniture industry, is officially launching its first subcategory of awards outside the U.S., the Asia-Pacific awards, in collaboration with High Point Market and the China International Furniture Fair (CIFF), which is holding its Guangzhou exhibition from March 18 to 31 at China Import & Export Fair Complex & PWTC Expo in Guangzhou, China.

Founded in 1995 by the American Society of Furniture Designers (ASFD), the Pinnacle Awards are issued to product designers whose creations are produced in large numbers for sale to consumers through retail stores.

"This is the best interpretation of our commitment to promoting the matching between good design and good market," noted John Conrad, executive president of ASFD. "It is hoped that CIFF, as world's only partner of the Pinnacle Awards, can build a bridge between the United States and China to bring more amazing oriental designs to US consumers and make the American designs enter the broader oriental market."

• May 8 to June 30: Entry submission.
• July 1 to August 31: Entry review and judging.
• September 1 to 30: Awards announcements.
• September 11 to 14: Award ceremony during CIFF (Shanghai).
• October 24: Award ceremony in the U.S.
• November 1 to December 30: Touring exhibition of award-winning designs.

Recipients of the Pinnacle Awards Asia-Pacific, as a company or as an individual, will be able to use the award's internationally recognized logo in association with their award-winning products, including product packaging, trade fairs and retail displays. The winners can also use the award certificates in marketing and business activities.

The largest furniture fair in China, the 39th CIFF (Guangzhou) is organized by China National Furniture Association, China Foreign Trade Center (Group), Guangdong Furniture Association, and Hong Kong Furniture & Decoration Trade Association; it is hosted by China Foreign Trade Guangzhou Exhibition General Corp. The fair includes 3,900 exhibitors from 30 countries and is expected to receive over 170,000 professionals from 190 countries.