Dec 16, 2014

IHRA Chairman John Grob to Receive Gift for Life’s Lifetime Achievement Award

John Grob, founder of J. Grob Associates and chairman of the International Housewares Representatives Association (IHRA), will receive the Chuck Yancy Lifetime Achievement Award from Gift for Life during the organization’s Party for Life Feb. 2 in New York City.

Gift for Life, a charitable organization founded by gift and home industry professionals, brings the industry together annually for the Party for Life event to benefit DIFFA, the Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS. DIFFA raises funds for HIV/AIDS service and education programs in an attempt to try to eradicate AIDS in the U.S. Each year Gift for Life honors industry leaders who have shown generous spirit and selfless support for others.

This year, in addition to Grob, also being honored are Susan Feldman, co-founder and chief merchandising officer of One Kings Lane, and Beatriz Ball, founder of the eponymous metalware company.

Following his graduation from the University of Wisconsin in 1970, Grob became manager of his family’s housewares distributing company. In 1979, he founded his own company, J. Grob Associates, whose lines include upscale housewares and gift suppliers. He is a member of the Gift and Home Trade Association, the National Alliance of Sales Agents and IHA’s Gourmet Trade Development Council.

Gift for Life’s 23rd Annual Party for Life, benefiting DIFFA, will be held Feb. 2 at The Boathouse in New York City’s Central Park. Individual tickets are $125, and sponsorships ranging from $500 through $25,000 are available. For details, contact Steven Williams at swilliams@diffa.org, (212) 727-3100.

For additional information about Gift for Life please visit http://giftforlife.org.