Wallcoverings Association Annual Meeting Draws Industry Experts, Forecasts Continued Positive Industry Outlook
Gina Shaw, EVP of Product Development for York Wallcoverings, Receives Wallcovering Industry’s Highest Honor, the Allman Award
The Wallcoverings Association (WA) held its 2023 Annual Meeting in Delray Beach, Florida on January 28 – 31. The Annual Meeting drew more than 150 wallcoverings manufacturers, distributors and suppliers to the Opal Grand Oceanfront Resort, where attendees experienced educational sessions and dedicated networking.
The main stage at the Annual Meeting offered a notable lineup of industry experts, including Chris Kuehl, Armada Corporate Intelligence; Ken Gronbach, KGC Direct, LLC; Claudia St. John, Affinity HR Group and Giselle Walsh, Juno Solutions Group. Attendees were provided insights about sustainability, economic outlook, human resources and demographic forecast / trends; all to better the future of the wallcoverings industry.
“When the end-user, whether it’s an interior designer or architectural specifier, etc. is thinking about interior products of choice, we want them to think of the beauty, functionality, and performance of wallcoverings. Our mission for 2023 and beyond is to continue promoting the overall use of wallcovering products in the marketplace,” said Bryan White, Wallcoverings Association Senior Advisor.
Meeting attendees had several opportunities to connect throughout the event with networking events and individual supplier meetings, followed by an Awards Dinner.
At the Awards Dinner WA presented the Allman Award, its highest honor, to Gina Shaw, Executive Vice President of Product Development for York Wallcoverings. The industry’s most prestigious award is named for the WA’s founder and is presented each year to a leader who has made a long-lasting, positive contribution to the wallcovering industry.
Shaw has dedicated the entirety of her professional career to deliver art, color, and design to the wallcovering industry. Her wallcovering journey began in 1982 with Eisenhart Wallcoverings before bringing her expertise to York Wallcoverings 22 years later. This combined 40+ years of servitude to the industry has made Gina an integral part of the trade acting as the intersect between designers, brands, and artists to the world of manufacturing. Gina has contributed an unequivocal blend of art and innovation to wallcoverings, leading the way for new product development industry wide. Relying on her deep knowledge of printing techniques, art history, trend and color forecasting, and relationships that span worldwide, Gina brings the perfect mix of design and innovation to products that transform spaces from commercial to residential year over year.
The Service Award was presented to Mark Rain, QC, Roysons, for his work with the WA technical committee.
The Wallcoverings Association is a nonprofit trade association representing wallcoverings manufacturers, distributors, and suppliers. The WA educates consumers, designers and specifiers about the beauty and use of wallcoverings. The association keeps the industry at the forefront of sustainability with specifier tools and Environmental Product Declarations.
