CFMA Membership up 35%

Furniture World Magazine

The first quarter has been very active for the California Furniture Manufacturers Association (CFMA). After recovering from both the San Francisco Winter Market and April's High Point Market, it appears that CFMA has regained a great deal of the strength the organization had in the 1980's. The President's Day Golf Tournament was a total success as was their March Seminar featuring Jerry Epperson and Bob Nightengale. This is all due to the hard work and planning of the CFMA staff and Board of Directors. One of CFMA's main objectives for this year was to "more closely align themselves" with the many other associations in the industry. CFMA President Larry Parnell has been invited to sit on the Board of Directors of the Home Furnishings Council that produces the television show, Haven TV. At the seminar in March, Bob Nightengale, President of the HFC, explained how Joy Philbin acts as the group's spokesperson. He also noted that HFC presents its members' products on the show. The point that some attendees missed was that the HFC is also trying to turn furniture shopping into a pleasant experience - unlike shopping for a used car. CFMA's members can gain exposure through Haven TV. Oakwood Interiors was recently honored as the "Manufacturer of the Year," and the Western Home Furnishings Association (WHFA) was honored as the "Retailer of the Year' by the Home Furnishings Rep Guild. During the month of May, the CFMA Executive Committee will be participating with the WHFA at a joint conference in Mexico. CFMA is also reviewing a group insurance policy that was presented by the International Home Furnishings Representatives Association (IHFRA). Manufacturers will be receiving a Labor Compensation Survey from CFMA so that they can share with members the critical figures which can be a benchmark and compare with other manufacturers in Southern California and the Western United States. This survey is confidential. Later, CFMA will be working with BDO Seidman to integrate some of these figures into national results for a complete look at the total Home Furnishings Industry. BDO Seidman has invited CFMA to co-sponsor a "Power Luncheon" at the San Francisco Summer Market. The next CFMA Seminar will be September 22, 1999. It will include talks from the AQMD, EPA, the Bureau of Home Furnishings and a political speaker. BDO Seidman will also reveal the results of their national survey at the meeting. CFMA is also organizing a delegation so that the association can have a CFMA Legislative Day in Sacramento and voice concerns to legislators in the state capital.