Oct 4, 2023

Karen McNeill to receive Legendary Leadership Award at ARTS Awards

Dallas Market Center and ART, the creative home furnishings network, have announced that Karen McNeill will receive a Legendary Leadership Award at the 34th ARTS Awards taking place in Dallas on Friday, Jan. 12, 2024.

McNeill is the president of the board of directors and CEO of American Home Furnishings Hall of Fame Foundation, a nonprofit public charity committed to honoring and preserving the legacy of individuals who have made significant contributions to the home furnishings industry and inspiring the next generation of innovative leaders in the industry.

The Legendary Leadership Award honors an individual who has not only achieved esteemed recognition from industry peers, but who has also led the home industry with passion, and whose dedication has helped hundreds of companies succeed.

“It is a privilege to present the Legendary Leadership Award to Karen,” said Cindy Morris, president and CEO of Dallas Market Center. “Her leadership has added substantial value to the home industry, and her support of the home furnishings community and history has added an immeasurable value to businesses large and small.”

Added Sharon Davis, executive director of ART: “Karen is a passionate leader and fearless champion of the home industry, and she deserves special recognition this year. The Legendary Leadership Award is a way for us to recognize a true pioneer in the home industry, and Karen exemplifies the best qualities of our business.”

McNeill’s career in the home furnishing industry has spanned over several decades and began with her role as director of marketing at the Southern Furniture Market Center and as director of The Design Center (now ANDMORE).

Karen’s passion for empowering future generations in the home furnishings industry can be seen in her accomplishments during her tenure at the American Home Furnishings Hall of Fame Foundation. She created the leadership initiative, which includes a keynote address at the induction celebration, the Paul Broyhill Future Leader Award, and the Home Furnishings Leadership Institute at High Point University.

Her most recent achievement was opening the Hall of Fame in High Point, North Carolina, in April 2023. This 25,000-square-foot hall contains permanent fixtures such as museum exhibits, the Stephen Knight Pond Library, and The Hughes Family History Center, and contains an event space, as well. By yearend, the Hall of Fame will have hosted nearly 100 events ranging from board meetings, design summits, and seminars to cocktail parties, fashion shows, and video and photography shoots.

Her accomplishments can also be seen in the success of her full-service marketing and public relations agency which has served industries such as home furnishings, telecommunications, tourism and more, for over 30 years.

“I am grateful for this honor as a tribute to our noble $150 billion industry that is committed to improving the lives of people around the globe by creating beautiful homes,” McNeill said. “The unifying support across the industry has been unmatched. None of this would have been possible without the Hall of Fame team that took on every challenge with enthusiasm and commitment to see the dream of our founders in 1988 come to fruition. There are no words for how exciting and fun the last four years have been and it has been my good fortune to be the one in this seat.”

In addition to the Legendary Leadership Award, there are dozens of category awards being presented at the ARTS Awards to retailers, manufacturers, designers and sales representatives. The HEARTS Award is being presented to Amir Loloi and the Academy of Achievement honor is being presented to Maria Mullen.