Finalists have been identified for the Best Showroom Awards 2022, which honor outstanding lighting retailers across North America. The annual awards program, now celebrating its thirteenth year, is presented in partnership by Furniture, Lighting & Decor and Lightovation magazine at the Dallas Market Center.
Each year, showrooms are judged based on a number of criteria, including display promotion, marketing, advertising, customer service, engagement, employee education and motivation, and community involvement. Five finalists were named in this year’s showroom in each of the three dollar size categories. The winners will be announced on Wednesday, June 22, at Lightovation, which runs from June 22-25, 2022.
“We look forward to uniting the industry in Dallas in celebration of these exceptional lounges,” said Cindy Morris, president and CEO of Dallas Market Center. “They are an inspiration to all of us, and we are honored to acknowledge them through a personal event held inside the Lighting House.”
Finalists in the three categories — revenue under $2 million, revenue $2 million — $5 million, and revenue $5 million and more — will be determined in the May issue of Furniture, Lighting & Decor.
Showroom of the year for the finalists
Revenue category less than $2 million:
Lighting Georgia – Sugar Hill, Georgia
Guildwood Lighting & Fireside – London, ON
Lightstyles – Cornelius, North Carolina
Single Lighting Source – Billings MT
Tidal Water Lighting & Design, Madison, CT
Revenue category $2 million – $5 million:
Accent Lighting Galleries – Lake Oswego, Oregon
Design House – Houston, Texas
Lights Fantastic Pro, Dallas, Texas
Light Source Lighting, Plainfield, Illinois
Speed Lights – Savannah, Georgia
Revenue category of $5 million or more:
Amini Galleria – Wildwood, Missouri
Dominion Lighting – Arlington, Virginia
Galleria Lighting – Greenwood Village, Colorado
Magnolia Lighting – Hernando, MS
Ultra Design Center – Denver, Colorado
“This year’s Fair Finalists have learned innovative ways to stay in touch with their customers during what has been a challenging year in retail,” says Diane Valvey, Editor-in-Chief of Furniture, Lighting & Décor. “From embracing more product categories to offering powerful online experiences, these retailers have taken advantage of creative ways to keep their businesses thriving. I have had the pleasure of learning about these amazing showrooms.”
All finalists are also eligible for three Specialized Awards: Outstanding Trade Show, Exceptional Community Involvement, and Social Media Star, an award that industry members help select.
Again this year, 50 percent of Social Media Star award points will be determined by “likes” posted to the final profiles in this year’s Social Media Star Event showroom on the Furniture, Lighting & Decor Facebook page (www.facebook.com/Furniturelightingdecor ), starting May 2 and running through May 13. Official judges’ scores complete the remaining 50 percent of points for this category.
The judging for this year’s competition is a prestigious panel of industry professionals: Jeffrey Allan Marks, Interior Designer/Lighting Designer and Director, Jeffrey Allan Marks, Inc. Robin Baron, interior designer, lighting designer and director of Robin Baron Design; Randy Eller. Retail Consultant and Owner of Eller Enterprises.
Keep watching www.furniturelightingdecor.com, the Lightovation Facebook page, and the Lightovation – Lighting Industry Facebook discussion group for additional details on the June award presentation and the May 2 start of voting for the Social Media Star award. Follow the hashtag #SOTYAwards for the latest news on the Show of the Year awards.
