UPDATE: ICON HONORS Celebrates 13 Honorees

From GDA：
http://www.giftsanddec.com/article/553195-UPDATE_ICON_HONORS_Celebrates_13_Honorees.php?nid=2069&mid=265038314

GDA and Home Accents Today Staff -- Gifts and Dec, 7/17/2012 7:45:00 AM

ATLANTA - The ICON HONORS event was held last night at the Marriott Marquis to celebrate the best in Innovation, Contribution and Achievement, across all industry segments and product categories. More than 900 people gathered for the glittering affair, now in its third year.

Americasmart president and chief operating officer Jeff Portman introduced the event, which was then turned over to CNN veteran anchorwoman Lynne Russell. The awards were announced through a "movie," shown on 190 feet of screen stretching across the room, sharing the personal stories of the winners, as related by themselves.

At two separate intervals between the presentations, the crowd of more than 900 attendees was entertained by musician Kenny Loggins and comedian Jeff Foxworthy. Loggins got much of the crowd up out of their seats and dancing between the tables; Foxworthy had them nearly rolling in the aisles with his dry "redneck" humor. "I love Americasmart," he commented. "It's like a yard sale by invitation only!"

The evening was co-sponsored by Americasmart, the Gift & Home Trade Association and Sandow Media, parent company of Home Accents Today and Gifts and Decorative Accessories.

The 2012 winners are:

INNOVATION HONORS:
Innovation Technology Applications: Sferra Innovative Product Design: Backyard Safari Company Innovative Product Design: Jura Capresso Innovative Product Packaging: EyeDoll Chatter with Studio M Design

Innovative Product Design: Jura Capresso
Innovative Product Packaging: EyeDoll Chatter with Studio M Design

CONTRIBUTION HONORS:

Community Contribution and Influence: Gracious Me!
Industry Contribution and Influence: Bigger Box
Industry Contribution and Influence: Goodweave USA
 

ACHIEVEMENT HONORS:

Individual Career Accomplishment: Albert Nichols
Individual Career Accomplishment: Mary Liz Curtin
Lifetime Achievement Award: Bob Anderson
Life Accomplishment: Jim Shore
Medal of Excellence Honor: Mele & Co.
GHTA President's Honor of Excellence: Joyce Washnik, Giftbeat